We are already well underway through the 2023 College Football season. So much has transpired, and fans and bettors have enjoyed a wild year of ups and downs. There have been some spectacular individual performances throughout the year, and several Heisman favourites have emerged.
Certain players have already gotten high odds of receiving the biggest individual award in college football, and they are jostling to hold onto their spot at the top. Let’s look at some athletes currently listed on gambling sites as the leading candidates to claim the 2023 Heisman Trophy award.
Caleb Williams
It is easy to see why last year’s winner is currently the favourite on sites like Sports Interaction Ontario to claim the trophy once again. Caleb Williams has gotten off to an incredible start this year, playing three near-perfect games. The presumptive first-overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft has the goods. He has quarterbacked USC to a dominant 3-0 record, and they are at the heart of the playoff discussion. His ability to evade pressure and make plays has him looking like no one can slow him down. If he can keep putting up stats and leading USC, he could be the first repeat winner since Archie Griffin.
Michael Penix
Another Pac-12 star, Michael Penix, looks unstoppable for the Washington Huskies. Penix has thrown for more than 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns in just three games, and Washington appears unstoppable. Elite playmakers surround Penix and has put them in a position to succeed through three games. He has climbed the Heisman odds leaderboard since the start of the year. If Washington remains competitive and Penix continues to put up incredible stats, he could win the award and earn a ticket to the league. He has a massive arm and superstar upside.
Quinn Ewers
We’ve heard talk about “Texas is back” for years now. But it is actually looking like Texas is back after quarterback Quinn Ewers led the Longhorns to a shocking win over Alabama. Ewers is one of the more hyped college QBs in recent memory, and it looks like he is ascending. The Longhorns are 3-0 and seem to be the class of the Big 12. They are firmly in the playoff race, with a realistic shot for the first time in forever. Ewers plays in a massive market, and that will help give him the attention needed to claim the trophy.
Sam Hartman
Sam Hartman is another quarterback leading a historic program that seems to be on the rise. Hartman has been incredible through four games for Notre Dame. He is playing the distributing role to a tee and not making mental errors. He has the Fighting Irish in the top ten, and they have a big showdown against Ohio State this week. If Hartman plays well and Notre Dame wins, watch his Heisman odds skyrocket. Bettors love Hartman’s poise and arm talent, and he has been everything the team hoped for when he transferred from Wake Forest. He keeps climbing the all-time touchdown leaderboard, so there is an element of history helping his case.
Jordan Travis
Jordan Travis is a fascinating story, and it could culminate with a Hollywood ending. Travis is leading a Florida State squad that has finally found its way back into the spotlight of the college football world. Travis is a mobile quarterback who is incredibly dynamic, and he showed that in a shocking week one dismantling of LSU. This game announced that Florida State could genuinely fight for a playoff spot this year. If the Seminoles are a playoff team at the end of the year, Travis will be in New York for the Heisman ceremony, and bettors will be richly rewarded for a smart wager.