This article highlights some of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy as we head into Week 11 of the college football season.
📊 ODDS UPDATE
These odds are from Sunday, November 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM ET and will continue to shift throughout the week!
- Julian Sayin (Ohio State) — +160
- Fernando Mendoza (Indiana) — +170
- Ty Simpson (Alabama) — +500
- Marcel Reed (Texas A&M) — +700
- Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt) — +2000
- Gunner Stockton (Georgia) — +3000
- Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State) — +3000
- Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame) — +3500
All remaining players currently sit at +10000 or worse, which will be our cutoff point for inclusion in this week’s watch. All Odds are per FanDuel!
9️⃣–6️⃣ | OUTSIDE THE NYC FIVE
9️⃣. JEREMIAH SMITH – WR, OHIO STATE
Smith has hauled in 65 receptions for 862 yards and 10 touchdowns. This past weekend, he posted a fantastic 10-catch, 137-yard, 1-touchdown performance that put him firmly back on the Heisman radar. Still, it’s difficult for a wide receiver to stay in contention when his quarterback (Julian Sayin) sits ahead of him in both odds and perception. Unless Smith continually posts massive numbers down the stretch, the Heisman climb will be a steep one.
8️⃣. JEREMIYAH LOVE – RB, NOTRE DAME
Love has been one of the most consistent and reliable running backs in the nation this season. Through ten weeks, he’s logged 154 carries for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns, without a single fumble. He’s also been a factor in the passing game, adding 24 receptions for 254 yards and 3 touchdowns, giving him well over 1,000 total yards and 16 total touchdowns on the year. Against Navy this week, Love was once again dominant — 13 carries for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 1 receptions for 27 yards. He’s trending upward at the perfect time, despite a limited role due to blowouts.
7️⃣. GUNNER STOCKTON – QB, GEORGIA
Stockton’s season has flown under the radar — just like Georgia’s as a whole, but his leadership has been crucial to their success. He’s thrown for 2040 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, while also using his legs effectively with 77 carries for 321 yards and 9 touchdowns. His dual-threat ability has been his calling card this season.
6️⃣ . JEREMIAH SMITH – WR, OHIO STATE
First and foremost, the Diego Pavia storyline is honestly what college ball is about. He’s grinded his way to where he is, and he has earned this spot, on the list. Diego started as a JUCO player and is now one of the elite names in college football. He is also synonymous with Vanderbilt’s football come-up. This year, he has posted a line of 2440 yards, 21 TDs and 5 INTs. He has ran the ball 117 times for 613 yards and 7 TDs. That gives him a bit over 3000 yards and 28 TD’s on the year, expect him to keep quickly rising up the ranks here.
🗽 THE NEW YORK FIVE
5️⃣. MARCEL REED – QB, TEXAS A&M
Reed has been the engine for an 9-0 Texas A&M team this season, combining explosiveness with playmaking ability. Through ten weeks, he’s thrown for 2193 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, while contributing 69 carries for 378 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. His high ceiling is obvious, but inconsistency, particularly in games like Auburn and Mississippi State has kept him from climbing higher. If Reed can finish the regular season with more stability, he’s a dark horse for the Heisman. Reed was able to go out and provide a bit of that consistency this week, beating Missouri on a very efficient performance!
4️⃣. TRINIDAD CHAMBLISS – QB, OLE MISS
After taking over as the Rebels’ starter in Week 3, Chambliss has been nothing short of electric. In limited time, he’s already posted 2356 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions, while also adding 99 carries for 434 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. His combination of arm talent and mobility has completely transformed Ole Miss’s offense. Considering how late he started, just being in the race feels like crazy to say— if he continues at this pace, he’ll close the gap with the top names in a hurry.
3️⃣. JULIAN SAYIN – QB, OHIO STATE
Sayin has done everything expected of a Heisman front-runner, leading Ohio State to an 9-0 record while looking increasingly comfortable each week. He’s thrown for 2491 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, while adding 25 carries for 21 yards on the ground. Though he hasn’t scored rushing, his decision-making and precision passing have carried the Buckeyes’ offense. The only knock? Strength of schedule — Sayin’s biggest tests are still ahead.
2️⃣. TY SIMPSON – QB, ALABAMA
If you ask many Alabama or SEC fans, Simpson should be number one right now — and it’s hard to argue against him. The Crimson Tide signal-caller has been brilliant this season, throwing for 2461 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only 1 interception, while adding 55 carries for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns. Perhaps the most impressive part? Simpson is the only QB on this list without a single game under 200 passing yards all year. He’s been as steady and productive as they come. This week he calmly led the Tide to a 20-9 rivalry win over LSU.
1️⃣. FERNANDO MENDOZA – QB, INDIANA
At the top sits Fernando Mendoza, who has guided Indiana to the No. 1 spot in the country with his exceptional all-around play. Mendoza has thrown for 2342 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions, while also running 56 times for 240 yards and 5 touchdowns. That’s 29 total touchdowns through ten weeks. The five extra passing touchdowns and superior rushing production give Mendoza the slight edge over Simpson and Sayin this week. If Indiana keeps winning, Mendoza will be tough to knock from the top. While it was a rough performance overall for IU against Penn State, Mendoza may have had his Heisman Moment this weekend!
That’s how I’d cast my Heisman vote through Week 11.
Who do you think I’m too high or low on? And who outside the top nine could make a late-season push to New York?
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