By Mark Pszonak
We are a little over six months away from finding out who the 2025 Heisman Trophy winner will be. And unlike other years, there are more questions than answers as to who will be a serious contender. Below are my four choices of who will be invited to New York City as a finalist for the 2025 Heisman Ceremony.
QB Cade Klubnik (Clemson)
The skinny: Klubnik is my current choice to win the award in 2025. Most importantly he possesses the talent to do so, but he has several other factors that go in his favor. Clemson is very good and will win lots of games in 2025. Part of this is because they play in a very top-heavy ACC, so there will be plenty of opportunities for Klubnik to pad his stats. And finally, his wide receiver corps is loaded with NFL talent. It all adds up for the perfect Heisman recipe.
QB Garrett Nussmeier (LSU)
The skinny: Nussmeier passed for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024, but I’m expecting even more production in 2025. After leading the SEC in both pass attempts and completions, expect more of the same, as the Tigers’ running game remains a work in progress. However, in order for him to earn the invitation to NYC, LSU must remain relevant in the SEC. And that’s where it gets tricky. The conference schedule is tough, with games against Florida, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas A&M and Alabama. Plus, the season opener against Clemson and Cade Klubnik (see above) may quickly form opinions in Heisman voter’s minds. Even with all of this, I think Nussmeier and the Tigers will do enough to get him the invitation.
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QB LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)
The skinny: The expectations in Columbia are as high as they’ve been since head coach Steve Spurrier was patrolling the sidelines. A great deal of this is because of Sellers, who broke out in 2024 to become a potential star. Now he must prove it again on the field. Despite a very difficult schedule, Sellers’ dynamic dual-threat ability will create enough highlight plays and wins to keep his name in the Heisman conversation throughout the season.
WR Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State)
The skinny: The chances of consecutive non-quarterbacks winning the Heisman are slim, but I do think a non-quarterback will earn an invitation. And the overwhelming favorite to do so is Smith, who proved to be an elite talent during his true freshman season in 2024. The one possible hiccup for Smith is the quarterback situation in Columbus. Will new starter Julian Sayin play well enough for Smith to get the statistics he needs to earn an invitation? And will he play well enough immediately, because if it takes him multiple weeks to get adjusted to life as a starting quarterback at Ohio State, that may hurt Smith’s chances. Luckily nobody will have to wait very long to find out as the Buckeyes host Texas on August 30th. An impressive showing against the Longhorns would cement Smith as a Heisman threat, plus quickly move Sayin up the list.
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