The Heisman Trophy has been dominated by quarterbacks overall, but wide receiver
DeVonta Smith
was able to win the award in 2020 and two-way star Travis Hunter won it in 2024. A non-quarterback can win the award even if they are long shots. Here are the non-quarterbacks who can compete for the 2025 Heisman Trophy.
Note: Odds found
here.
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State Buckeyes (13/1)
As a five-star recruit in the class of 2024, Smith signed with Ohio State out of Florida. He produced a lot as freshman, finishing the season with 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns. His play helped the Buckeyes win the national championship last season.
Smith is as talented as they come for a receiver his age. While Ohio State will have new players around him, including a new quarterback, there is enough skill that Smith can produce even more than last season. The Buckeyes will have some key games to shine with Texas, Penn State and Michigan all on the schedule.
Ryan Williams, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide (42/1)
Williams was a five-star recruit in the class of 2024, who signed with Alabama. He had a great freshman season that saw him haul in 48 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. His play helped the Crimson Tide win nine games.
With a new quarterback taking over at Alabama, who can capitalize on being more accurate, Williams should see more production come his way. Teams will focus on stopping him, but will also have to use their resources to stop their other quality skill position players. Williams can show up in Alabama’s few key games and outdo other notable wide receivers to put himself in a good spot to win the award.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish (50/1)
As a four-star recruit out of Missouri in the class of 2023, Love signed with the Fighting Irish. As a freshman, Love had some solid production, rushing for 385 yards and one touchdown. His play improved during the 2024 season, as he had 1,125 rushing yards, 237 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns. He led the Fighting Irish to the National Championship Game last season.
Love will have an excellent offensive line in front of him clearing holes, which could help him produce even more in 2025. An improved receiving core can also help keep defenses more honest than last year. Notre Dame will have a lot of national attention, like every season, but if he can play well in the bigger games of the season, Love can set himself up well to compete for the Heisman.
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Buckeyes (180/1)
Downs was a five-star recruit who signed with Alabama out of high school in 2023. As a freshman, he played a key role on defense, notching 107 total tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended. After the season, he decided to transfer to Ohio State. Downs was an All-American for the Buckeyes with 82 total tackles, two interceptions and six passes defended. He led the defense that won the national championship.
While a defensive player has little chance of winning the Heisman, Downs is one of the best players in the country regardless of position. The defense ranked first in the country in scoring last season, so if Downs can lead another great season and maybe see some special teams or offensive work (however unlikely), he could be in the running. Ohio State has plenty of big games for voters to see him.
Nate Frazier, RB, Georgia Bulldogs (200/1)
Frazier was a four-star prospect who signed with Georgia in the class of 2024. He split carries during his freshman season, but still put up solid numbers. Frazier finished the season with 671 rushing yards, 85 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
Georgia struggled to run the football last season as a team and will have an emphasis on it this season, which will benefit Frazier. He is a naturally-gifted running back who can rush for over 1,000 yards. If he does that and plays well in big games against Texas, Alabama and Ole Miss, while leading Georgia to a good season, he could be in contention for the Heisman Trophy.
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- Source: https://thegamehaus.com/college-football/non-quarterbacks-who-can-compete-for-the-2025-heisman-trophy/2025/07/14/