While the Heisman Trophy has been awarded to players across college football, it has also sparked much debate and speculation. Are quarterbacks overly privileged? Do players from smaller conferences have a fair shot?
If you want to bet on the next Heisman Trophy winner, there are several factors to consider. Those include the player’s performance, team success and overall reputation.
To help you make an informed decision, see below for the latest Heisman odds from sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM, plus some key stats to consider when getting your Heisman bets down in North Carolina.
Heisman Trophy live odds
Check out the table below for the latest Heisman Trophy winner odds. You can use our exclusive link to visit the site directly by clicking on the odds for your preferred sportsbook.
Where can I bet on Heisman Trophy odds?
Here are three North Carolina sportsbooks that stand out for college football betting, including Heisman Trophy odds.
- DraftKings Sportsbook NC: DraftKings offers consistent odds on almost every sport, including NCAA football. DK’s experienced oddsmakers keep the Heisman Trophy betting odds up to date. Its app has a user-friendly interface and is extremely easy to navigate, making it a popular choice for novice and experienced bettors.
- FanDuel Sportsbook NC: FanDuel has some of the best Heisman Trophy odds in the business. Its app is user-friendly, and FD provides excellent customer service.
- BetMGM Sportsbook NC: BetMGM has reliable options for NCAA football and Heisman Trophy odds betting. Its app is among the most popular sportsbook apps and you’ll find regularly updated Heisman Trophy odds.
- Fanatics Sportsbook NC: Fanatics starts accepting wagers on Heisman futures well before the season starts with more than 100 players listed ranging from the top favorites to the longshot underdogs.
How do Heisman Trophy futures bets work?
Futures bets are placed on events that occur down the road. These bets include picking many different forthcoming winners and results. Here are some examples.
- College football national champion
- Heisman Trophy winner
- Top overall NFL Draft pick
- Number of games won by a particular team in a season
- Conference champions
- Bet on Bowl game outcomes
- Player accolades such as the Maxwell Award and Doak Walker Award
- Total number of touchdowns thrown by a particular quarterback in a season
- Number of yards rushed by a running back in a season
- Total number of points scored by a team in a season
In the case of Heisman Trophy futures, odds are often determined based on a player’s past performance and previous candidacy for the award.
Bettors can review the team’s past record, number of touchdowns and other performance metrics to make an informed decision. However, betting on a single player in a team sport can be unpredictable. Many variables can affect their future performance.
If a player gets injured, their performance may be impacted, and it can also impact the entire team’s ability to perform. Similarly, the cancellation of a season due to unforeseen events can result in the cancellation of futures bets.
Sportsbooks have their own rules and regulations when it comes to such situations. They may consider the event as “force majeure,” which refers to a natural or unavoidable catastrophe that prevents the completion of an event. Bettors can refer to the terms and conditions of their chosen sportsbook to understand how the provider handles such situations.
Overall, futures bets are an excellent way to get in on the action early and potentially win big, but it is essential to research and understand the sports odds and potential risks before placing a bet.
What should I look for when betting on the Heisman Trophy winner?
To make an informed decision on Heisman Trophy futures, looking over past recipients is useful.
It’s evident that since 1935, only six players who have played a position other than quarterback or running back (including fullbacks) have won the award. That list includes:
- Larry Kelley
- Leon Hart
- Tim Brown
- Desmond Howard
- Charles Woodson
- DeVonta Smith
While occasional exceptions exist, you can almost ignore any position outside quarterback and running back when deciding. This trend is unlikely to change anytime soon.
One factor that has shifted in the modern era of Heisman Trophy selection is the class of players winning the award. From 1935 to 2006, only seniors and juniors were awarded the honor.
However, in 2007, this began to change after Tim Tebow won it as a sophomore. This trend continued for two more seasons, with Sam Bradford winning it as a sophomore in 2008 and Mark Ingram Jr. receiving the award as a sophomore in 2009.
In 2012, Johnny Manziel became the first-ever freshman to win the award, and Jameis Winston duplicated this feat in 2013. In 2016, sophomore Lamar Jackson won the award.
Since then, the award has been chiefly given to upperclassmen, with Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Joe Burrow and DeVonta Smith honored. However, the recipients in 2021 (Bryce Young, QB, Alabama) and 2022 (Caleb Williams, QB, USC) were both sophomores.
Has there been a repeat Heisman winner?
Only one player has ever won the Heisman Trophy more than once. That was running back Archie Griffin (Ohio State), who hoisted the award in 1974 and 1975.
Griffin’s outstanding college football career cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time. He played for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1972 to 1975 and set many school and conference records.
He rushed for over 1,500 yards during his Heisman-winning seasons and helped lead the Buckeyes to a Rose Bowl victory in 1974. He ended his college career with 5,589 rushing yards and 6,559 all-purpose yards, both of which were school records at the time.
Although he had a brief NFL career, Griffin’s remarkable college accomplishments secured his place in football history.
Has anyone won both the Heisman Trophy and NFL MVP?
That has happened nine times, actually, by some of the best players ever to step onto a football field.
Here’s a complete list of players who have won both the Heisman and NFL MVP:
- Lamar Jackson, 2020 MVP, 2016 Heisman
- Cam Newton, 2015 MVP, 2010 Heisman
- Barry Sanders, 1997 MVP, 1988 Heisman
- Marcus Allen, 1985 MVP, 1981 Heisman
- Earl Campbell, 1978 and 1979 MVP, 1977 Heisman
- O.J. Simpson, 1973 MVP, 1968 Heisman
- Roger Staubach, 1971 MVP, 1963 Heisman
- Paul Hornung, 1961 MVP, 1956 Heisman
- Frank Sinkwich, 1944 MVP, 1942 Heisman
Here is a list of the Heisman winners who have also won the Super Bowl MVP title:
- Roger Staubach, Dallas – 1972
- Jim Plunkett, Oakland – 1981
- Marcus Allen, LA Raiders – 1984
- Desmond Howard, Green Bay – 1997
Heisman Trophy winners
Here is a list of all the Heisman Trophy winners since 1935:
| Year | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Jayden Daniels | LSU |
| 2022 | Caleb Williams | USC |
| 2021 | Bryce Young | Alabama |
| 2020 | DeVonta Smith | Alabama |
| 2019 | Joe Burrow | LSU |
| 2018 | Kyler Murray | Oklahoma |
| 2017 | Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma |
| 2016 | Lamar Jackson | Louisville |
| 2015 | Derrick Henry | Alabama |
| 2014 | Marcus Mariota | Oregon |
| 2013 | Jameis Winston | Florida State |
| 2012 | Johnny Manziel | Texas A&M |
| 2011 | Robert Griffin III | Baylor |
| 2010 | Cam Newton | Auburn |
| 2009 | Mark Ingram Jr. | Alabama |
| 2008 | Sam Bradford | Oklahoma |
| 2007 | Tim Tebow | Florida |
| 2006 | Troy Smith | Ohio State |
| 2005 | Reggie Bush | USC (vacated) |
| 2004 | Matt Leinart | USC |
| 2003 | Jason White | Oklahoma |
| 2002 | Carson Palmer | USC |
| 2001 | Eric Crouch | Nebraska |
| 2000 | Chris Weinke | Florida State |
| 1999 | Ron Dayne | Wisconsin |
| 1998 | Ricky Williams | Texas |
| 1997 | Charles Woodson | Michigan |
| 1996 | Danny Wuerffel | Florida |
| 1995 | Eddie George | Ohio State |
| 1994 | Rashaan Salaam | Colorado |
| 1993 | Charlie Ward | Florida State |
| 1992 | Gino Torretta | Miami (FL) |
| 1991 | Desmond Howard | Michigan |
| 1990 | Ty Detmer | BYU |
| 1989 | Andre Ware | Houston |
| 1988 | Barry Sanders | Oklahoma State |
| 1987 | Tim Brown | Notre Dame |
| 1986 | Vinny Testaverde | Miami (FL) |
| 1985 | Bo Jackson | Auburn |
| 1984 | Doug Flutie | Boston College |
| 1983 | Mike Rozier | Nebraska |
| 1982 | Herschel Walker | Georgia |
| 1981 | Marcus Allen | USC |
| 1980 | George Rogers | South Carolina |
| 1979 | Charles White | USC |
| 1978 | Billy Sims | Oklahoma |
| 1977 | Earl Campbell | Texas |
| 1976 | Tony Dorsett | Pittsburgh |
| 1975 | Archie Griffin | Ohio State |
| 1974 | Archie Griffin | Ohio State |
| 1973 | John Cappelletti | Penn State |
| 1972 | Johnny Rodgers | Nebraska |
| 1971 | Pat Sullivan | Auburn |
| 1970 | Jim Plunkett | Stanford |
| 1969 | Steve Owens | Oklahoma |
| 1968 | O.J. Simpson | USC |
| 1967 | Gary Beban | UCLA |
| 1966 | Steve Spurrier | Florida |
| 1965 | Mike Garrett | USC |
| 1964 | John Huarte | Notre Dame |
| 1963 | Roger Staubach | Navy |
| 1962 | Terry Baker | Oregon State |
| 1961 | Ernie Davis | Syracuse |
| 1960 | Joe Bellino | Navy |
| 1959 | Billy Cannon | LSU |
| 1958 | Pete Dawkins | Army |
| 1957 | John David Crow | Texas A&M |
| 1956 | Paul Hornung | Notre Dame |
| 1955 | Howard Cassady | Ohio State |
| 1954 | Alan Ameche | Wisconsin |
| 1953 | Johnny Lattner | Notre Dame |
| 1952 | Billy Vessels | Oklahoma |
| 1951 | Dick Kazmaier | Princeton |
| 1950 | Vic Janowicz | Ohio State |
| 1949 | Leon Hart | Notre Dame |
| 1948 | Doak Walker | SMU |
| 1947 | John Lujack | Notre Dame |
| 1946 | Glenn Davis | Army |
| 1945 | Doc Blanchard | Army |
| 1944 | Les Horvath | Ohio State |
| 1943 | Angelo Bertelli | Notre Dame |
| 1942 | Frank Sinkwich | Georgia |
| 1941 | Bruce Smith | Minnesota |
| 1940 | Tom Harmon | Michigan |
| 1939 | Nile Kinnick | Iowa |
| 1938 | Davey O'Brien | TCU |
| 1937 | Clint Frank | Yale |
| 1936 | Larry Kelley | Yale |
| 1935 | Jay Berwanger | Chicago |
More NCAA football futures odds
Here are some popular futures bets for NCAA football that North Carolina residents can place legally and securely through legal and regulated sportsbooks:
- National Championship winner: Bettors can wager on which team will win it all at the end of the season.
- Conference championship winners: Bettors can wager on which team will win their respective conference championship at the end of the season.
- Win totals: Bettors can wager on the over/under for a team’s total number of wins for the season.
- Division winners: Bettors can wager on which team will win their respective division within their conference.
- Bowl game winners: Bettors can wager on which team will win specific bowl games, such as the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl and Cotton Bowl.
Heisman Trophy FAQ
Votes determining the Heisman Trophy winner come from three separate groups.
First, 870 votes come from the media. This group includes sports journalists, broadcasters and other media members nationwide. Each voter is allowed to select three players on their ballot, with their first-place vote worth three points, their second-place vote worth two points, and their third-place vote worth one point.
Then, 57 former Heisman winners (every living winner) are invited to cast a ballot for the current year’s award.
Finally, there’s one collective fan vote. This group is made up of fans who cast their votes online through a process called the “Heisman Fan Vote.” The fan vote is counted as one additional ballot and counts for one vote toward the overall total.
Once all the votes are in, the independent accounting firm Deloitte tabulates the results. The winner is then announced during a live ceremony on national television.
The team with the most Heisman Trophy winners is the University of Notre Dame with seven. The Notre Dame players who have won the Heisman Trophy are Angelo Bertelli (1943), Johnny Lujack (1947), Leon Hart (1949), Johnny Lattner (1953), Paul Hornung (1956), John Huarte (1964) and Tim Brown (1987).
As for conferences, the most Heisman Trophy winners have come from the Southeastern Conference (SEC), with 12 players winning the award. The SEC has produced Heisman winners such as Tim Tebow (2007), Cam Newton (2010) and Derrick Henry (2015), among others. The Big Ten conference is second with seven Heisman winners, while the Pac-12 and Big 12 conferences have each produced six.
Here is a list of Heisman winners who did not play in the NFL, with reasons compiled from various sources:
- Jay Berwanger, 1935 winner, University of Chicago, halfback. He was drafted by the Eagles but failed to come to terms on a contract with them or the Bears.
- Larry Kelley, 1936 winner, Yale, end. He signed a one-game contract with the Boston Shamrocks of the AFL but never played.
- Clint Frank, 1937 winner, Yale, halfback. He was drafted in the 12th round of the 1938 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions but never signed with them.
- Nile Kinnick, 1939 winner, Iowa, halfback. He opted not to pursue a career in professional football and attended law school before joining the Navy.
- Doc Blanchard, 1945 winner, Army, fullback. He chose a military career instead of playing football professionally.
- Dick Kazmaier, 1951 winner, Princeton, halfback. The Chicago Bears drafted him in 1952, but he went to Harvard Business School.
- Pete Dawkins, 1958 winner, Army, halfback. He opted for a military career instead of pursuing football professionally.
- Ernie Davis, 1961 winner, Syracuse, halfback. He was drafted by Washington as the No. 1 NFL Draft pick and was later traded to the Cleveland Browns. However, he died of leukemia before ever playing an NFL game.
- Charlie Ward, 1993 winner, Florida State, quarterback. He chose to play in the NBA for the New York Knicks instead of pursuing a career in the NFL.
- Eric Crouch, 2001 winner, Nebraska, quarterback. He was drafted by the St. Louis Rams as a receiver but never played a regular NFL game, eventually playing in NFL Europe, the CFL, AFFL and UFL.
- Jason White, 2003 winner, Oklahoma, quarterback. He went undrafted in the 2005 NFL Draft and signed with the Tennessee Titans, but ultimately quit before playing in a game, citing bad knees.
There have been just two freshmen winners, both in the last decade: Johnny Manziel in 2012 and Jameis Winston in 2013.
The Heisman Trophy statue was designed by Frank Eliscu, a sculptor and artist from New York. In 1934, the Downtown Athletic Club, which awarded the trophy at the time, approached Eliscu to create a new award to recognize the best college football player of the year.
Desmond Howard, a former wide receiver and kick returner for the University of Michigan, is famous for striking the “Heisman pose” during a game against Ohio State in 1991.
He made the pose following a 93-yard punt return for a touchdown known as “The Catch.” Howard’s performance won him the Heisman Trophy that year, and his pose has become one of the most iconic moments in college football history. Many players have imitated the pose since then, but Howard’s original pose remains the most famous.
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