20 way-too-early Heisman Trophy contenders for the 2025 season

We’re months away from the start of the 2025 college football season and Travis Hunter’s Heisman trophy was only handed out weeks ago, but it’s never too early to look at what’s ahead. Here’s a way-too-early look at the potential Heisman contenders in 2025.

The potential returnees

As of the pre-Christmas writing of this article, we’re still waiting on some NFL draft declarations ahead of the January 6 deadline. That means quarterbacks with College Football Playoff experience like Cade Klubnik (Clemson), Quinn Ewers (Texas) and Jalen Milroe (Alabama) all could return to school. 

Another quarterback to keep an eye on is Syracuse’s Kyle McCord. Per reports, the signal-caller who finished 10th in Heisman voting in 2025 is trying to get an additional year of eligibility. 

Beyond the quarterback position, Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is another top Heisman candidate, if he returns to college. Any of the five would make this list if they are back in college in 2025.

MORE: Travis Hunter wins 2024 Heisman Trophy

Defense

In 2024, we saw Travis Hunter become the first defensive player to win the Heisman since Charles Woodson, albeit with plenty of help on his resume from Hunter’s time as a starting wide receiver. Are there any defensive players that could be the next to lift the hardware?

I think so. The top defensive Heisman candidate is Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. Downs has been arguably the best safety in college football since he first laced up his cleats for Alabama as a true freshman in 2023. In 2025, he’s the only returning finalist for the Bednarik Award (College Football Defensive Player of the Year) and the Thorpe Award (College Football Defensive Back of the Year).

Downs is elite on the defensive side of the football. He also has an X-factor that could launch him into the Heisman race — his ability to return punts. Downs took a punt back to the end zone against Indiana. More of the same in 2025 could bring him in New…