The 2025 Heisman race is wide open right now. The race could close in the back half of the season as players have chances at Heisman moments, defined as the game, play or drive where a Heisman Trophy contender has had his most outstanding performance of the season.
Here's a look at some of the top Heisman contenders and when their season-defining moments could come.
QB Ty Simpson | Alabama
Game: Nov. 8 vs. LSU
Some might say Ty Simpson is the Heisman frontrunner after he led Alabama to three straight ranked wins, bouncing back from a rough start at Florida State with five straight wins overall. He’s thrown for 816 yards, seven touchdowns and just one interception in that span, but his Heisman moment could be still to come: a night game at home against an LSU team that could be the platform for Simpson’s Heisman moment.
If LSU adds ranked wins over Vanderbilt and Texas A&M and Alabama beats Tennessee and South Carolina, this could be a potential top-five SEC matchup when the Tigers and Tide face off.
Throw in the primetime slot and Ty Simpson could have the eyes of the country watch him deliver a statement win for Alabama, driving his claim for the Heisman.
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QB Haynes King | Georgia Tech
Game: Nov. 28 vs. Georgia
Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King had an all-time game against Georgia last year, accounting for five total touchdowns and 413 total yards. This year, King could be leading a College Football Playoff-contending Georgia Tech team against the Bulldogs. Another big game in a rivalry matchup could be a perfect Heisman moment.
QB Fernando Mendoza | Indiana
Game: Dec. 6 in the Big Ten Championship Game
Fernando Mendoza already had a Heisman moment when he took Indiana on a 12-play 75-yard drive on the road against the then-No. 3 Oregon Ducks, throwing the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
However, without a ranked opponent currently left on the schedule, the Hoosier signal caller might not have another big-time game unless Indiana makes the Big Ten title game.
That’s where Mendoza could show the nation why he deserves the Heisman and cap off an impressive season.
Latest rankings: Indiana rises into the top 3, Oklahoma falls in new AP Top 25
QB Carson Beck and DE Rueben Bain Jr. | Miami (FL)
Game: Dec. 6 in the ACC Championship game
This Miami duo might not play another ranked game this season, but as long as they don’t falter down the stretch, they will remain in Heisman contention. If quarterback Carson Beck continues to lead an undefeated team out of the ACC, he’ll be a contender. Meanwhile, Reuben Bain Jr. has been the best defensive player in football this season, playing dominantly even without the counting stats.
If Beck and Bain run through the regular season, the ACC Championship will be the stage big enough for either to make a final Heisman push — and hopefully for their sake, defeat one last ranked opponent.
RB Ahmad Hardy | Missouri
Game: Nov. 8 vs. Texas A&M
Ahmad Hardy is no longer the nation’s top rusher after being bottled up against Alabama. It might take him leading the nation in rushing yards and touchdowns for him to return back into serious Heisman contention, but he can also be helped by his future opponents.
The one that catches my eye is current-No. 4 Texas A&M. The Aggies are undefeated at 6-0. If they enter Columbia, still undefeated, a big-game from Hardy could hand them their first loss and place him back in the spotlight.
QB Julian Sayin | Ohio State
Game: Nov. 29 at Michigan
Who’s the best player on the 2025 Ohio State Buckeyes? Many would say one from the trio of wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, safety Caleb Downs or linebacker Arvell Reese. However, a lack of overly dominant counting stats means the top Heisman contender on the nation’s top team defaults to the quarterback, Julian Sayin.
Sayin’s claim to fame this season has been his passing efficiency, which ranks second in the FBS, and his completion percentage, which ranks first. Sayin hasn’t thrown an interception since conference play against a Power 4 opponent. He sneakily is tied for the seventh-most passing touchdowns too.
While he’ll likely need to get top five in passing touchdowns to truly be a Heisman contender, an undefeated season will also help. To do so will mean ending Ohio State’s four-game losing streak to Michigan. Sayin will have the stage of Big Noon Kickoff for the platform for a late-season Heisman push.
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QB John Mateer | Oklahoma
Game: Any game he plays after South Carolina
John Mateer wasn’t just bad in his return from a hand injury against Texas; he was horrible in a three-interception outing. Yet, before his injury he was a Heisman frontrunner.
Currently, Oklahoma closes the season with Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, Missouri and LSU. None of those teams is ranked below No. 16 in the country.
Mateer needs a signature performance against any — if not multiple — of these opponents to get back into Heisman contention.
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QB Trinidad Chambliss | Ole Miss
Game: Oct. 18 at Georgia
One of the hardest places to play in college football that players always mention is between the hedges in Athens. If Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss can march out of there with a win over Georgia, he might become the Heisman frontrunner.
He’ll have all of the eyes on him; College GameDay will be in town and Ole Miss vs. Georgia is the only ranked vs. ranked game in the coveted 3:30 p.m. window on national television.
QB Dante Moore | Oregon
Game: Nov. 22 vs. Southern California
Dante Moore fell down the Heisman totem pole after Oregon lost to Indiana in a game where he threw two interceptions. The only remaining ranked opponent on the schedule for the Ducks is Southern California in the second-to-last week of the season, a game that could have exciting stakes.
After the Trojans just beat Michigan, they play currently ranked Notre Dame and Nebraska up next on the road. Wins in both of those games could mean Dante Moore has a College Football Playoff contender returning to Eugene for a chance at his own redemption.
USC also has one of the top offenses in the country with a defense that’s just okay. If Moore puts up big numbers in November, he could launch right back on top of Heisman discussions.
QB Marcel Reed | Texas A&M
Game: Nov. 28 at Texas
As the saying goes, “Save the best for last”. Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed has plenty of ranked opponents on the schedule, but Reed’s biggest chance for a Heisman moment might be when he visits Texas to close the season. A win there could leave a lasting image in Heisman voter’s minds.
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QB Diego Pavia | Vanderbilt
Game: Oct. 18 vs. LSU
Diego Pavia threw one touchdown and one interception when Vanderbilt lost to Alabama, a top-10 opponent. That loss was followed by a bye week, knocking Pavia and the Commodores from the spotlight.
However, Pavia can regain his early-season Heisman momentum when another top-10 opponent, LSU, comes into town. He’ll have the attention of the country as Vanderbilt and LSU are the only two ranked teams meeting up in the early window of college football.
An upset and big day from Pavia will remind Heisman voters why he should be a contender.
