NCAAF · 1 year ago

The Top 5 Dark Horse Heisman Trophy Candidates This Season

Grant White

Host · Writer

Shedeur Sanders
Heisman Trophy Odds: +4000

Few people expected Deion Sanders to turn around the Colorado Buffaloes program as quickly as he did, and he has his son to thank for a lot of the team's success. After two seasons with the Jackson State Tigers, Shedeur Sanders rose into the Power Five ranks of the FBS without missing a beat. That upward trajectory carries him into his senior season as a prime dark horse candidate to pull off the Heisman Trophy upset.

As a starter, Sanders has thrown for at least 3,056 yards and 27 touchdowns in all three of his seasons. Armed with another stacked receivers corps, his impressive totals from last season will ratchet higher in 2024.

The knock on Sanders last year was his disastrous -77 rushing yards on 111 carries. If he can find a way to break loose on the ground, it won't be long until Sanders moves into the upper echelon of Heisman Trophy contenders. At +4000, we're betting he makes those adjustments and cements himself as a top candidate.
Haynes King
Heisman Trophy Odds: +25000

There is no shortage of candidates to claim this year's Heisman Trophy, but the best value pick comes from far down the list. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King is looking to build off his breakout sophomore campaign, in which he threw for 2,755 yards and 26 touchdowns, adding 648 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground.

The only knock on King was his high interception ratio, but that was essentially a consequence of playing from behind and trying to force the ball downfield. Ten of his 15 interceptions came in just four losses, underscoring the need to make more responsible decisions with the ball.

We expect a more mature King and another potent season from the Yellow Jackets. In doing so, King's Heisman Trophy odds should skyrocket as the season progresses.
Ashton Jeanty
Heisman Trophy Odds: +15000

Another player whose odds don't reflect his Heisman Trophy capabilities this season is Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State Broncos running back was an absolute force in 2023, and his production should increase behind a relatively untested quarterback and solid offensive line.

Jeanty is heading into his junior season on the strength of nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage in 2023. The Florida native toted the ball 203 times for 1,262 rushing yards, hauling in 39 passes for 552 more yards. That puts him 16 yards shy of cracking the 2,000-yard total, a benchmark that remains well within reach this season.

With Boise State transitioning the offense to Maddux Madsen, we anticipate a heavy dosage of Jeanty to alleviate some of the burden. Jeanty has the profile to emerge as a longshot to claim the Heisman Trophy, and he is expected to be in the conversation late in the season.
Trevor Etienne
Heisman Trophy Odds: +10000

As always, there is no shortage of Georgia Bulldogs players in the running for the Heisman Trophy. While Carson Beck is one of the top betting options to open the season, Trevor Etienne will become a more prominent fixture as soon as he steps on the field.

Entering the year with distant +10000 odds to win the award, Etienne has the profile and pedigree to make some noise this college football season. The bruising back ran for at least 705 yards in his first two seasons with the Florida Gators but will capture more national attention playing with Georgia. Moreover, he'll be the feature back for the first time in his career, amplifying his production and potential.

All eyes will be on Georgia again this season, and while the preseason conversation has revolved around Beck, we expect Etienne to command more headlines as the season progresses. Now is the time to buy Etienne as a dark hose Heisman Trophy candidate.
Kyron Drones
Heisman Trophy Odds: +6000

Count us as believers in Kyron Drones and the Virginia Tech Hokies. Pegged as a dark horse team to upset the College Football Playoff field, Drones will lead a potent Hokies attack from the outset of the season.

Drones emerged as a top dual-threat quarterback in his first season with Virginia Tech, and his metrics should soar in his junior season. Building off last year's 1,993 passing and 652 rushing yard effort, Drones is surrounded by a talented offensive core that makes his job easier in 2024.

We saw how responsible Drones was with the ball last year, throwing just three interceptions on the season and breaking off runs when needed. That athleticism will shine again this year as he continues his development and brings the Hokies to the forefront of the CFP conversation. In doing so, he'll enhance his Heisman Trophy odds.
Shedeur Sanders
Heisman Trophy Odds: +4000

Few people expected Deion Sanders to turn around the Colorado Buffaloes program as quickly as he did, and he has his son to thank for a lot of the team's success. After two seasons with the Jackson State Tigers, Shedeur Sanders rose into the Power Five ranks of the FBS without missing a beat. That upward trajectory carries him into his senior season as a prime dark horse candidate to pull off the Heisman Trophy upset.

As a starter, Sanders has thrown for at least 3,056 yards and 27 touchdowns in all three of his seasons. Armed with another stacked receivers corps, his impressive totals from last season will ratchet higher in 2024.

The knock on Sanders last year was his disastrous -77 rushing yards on 111 carries. If he can find a way to break loose on the ground, it won't be long until Sanders moves into the upper echelon of Heisman Trophy contenders. At +4000, we're betting he makes those adjustments and cements himself as a top candidate.
Haynes King
Heisman Trophy Odds: +25000

There is no shortage of candidates to claim this year's Heisman Trophy, but the best value pick comes from far down the list. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King is looking to build off his breakout sophomore campaign, in which he threw for 2,755 yards and 26 touchdowns, adding 648 rushing yards and nine scores on the ground.

The only knock on King was his high interception ratio, but that was essentially a consequence of playing from behind and trying to force the ball downfield. Ten of his 15 interceptions came in just four losses, underscoring the need to make more responsible decisions with the ball.

We expect a more mature King and another potent season from the Yellow Jackets. In doing so, King's Heisman Trophy odds should skyrocket as the season progresses.