Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love Among Heisman Trophy Dark Horses

(Editor’s note: This article is from The Spun by Athlon Sports’ 2025 Football Betting Guide — the perfect preseason reference companion for new bettors or sharps alike. Order your copy today online, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.)

At the end of last season, it wasn’t surprising that Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy. The two-way sensation was a football unicorn and played a vital role in a hugely successful campaign for Colorado.

Hunter established himself as a contender early and never fell out of the running. But that’s not how things started. Before the season kicked off in Dublin, Hunter wasn’t even among the top-20 favorites to win the award. He was 50/1 and well behind the likes of preseason-favorite Dillon Gabriel (+70 0), Carson Beck, Quinn Ewers, Avery Johnson, and Riley Leonard.

Part of the reason for Hunter’s long price was his position. Quarterbacks had won 12 of the previous 14 Heisman Trophies, so bookmakers always load the top of the board with signal-callers. That is the case once again in 2025, with Texas’ Arch Manning leading the way as the favorite across the market.

Three of the next four players on the betting board – LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik and Penn State’s Drew Allar – are quarterbacks. There is, however, a non-QB in the top five: Ohio State wideout Jeremiah Smith is fourth at 13/1 to win, well short of where Hunter was at this time last year.

The 20 25 favorites will be tough to beat, especially with the media attention Manning will get throughout the year, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see yet another dark horse take home the Heisman. Here are three long shots to consider:

John Mateer,QB, Oklahoma

(35/1, DraftKings)

One of the quiet breakout performers from 2024, Mateer put up some eye-popping numbers at Washington State. He roasted defenses for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns but flew under the radar because Wazzu was left in the college football wilderness after the Pac-12 went kaput. He now looks to replicate the success Cam Ward had after leaving Pullman for Miami. If he can repeat what he did last year, Mateer should be in the Heisman mix.

Kevin Jennings,QB, SMU

(50/1, BetMGM)

If SMU is going to build on its resurgent season from a year ago, it will come down to Jennings taking another step forward after a massive showing in 2024 (3,245 yards, 23 touchdowns). Aft er bulking up in the spring and adding more than 10 pounds of muscle to his 6-foot, 185-pound frame, Jennings should have every chance to lead the Pony Express back to the College Football Playoff and add to those totals in 2025.

Jeremiyah Love,  RB, Notre Dame

(50/1, FanDuel)

The Irish are a throwback team that wants to ground-and-pound, which means they’ll be relying heavily on Love to do a lot of the heavy lifting. The junior from St. Louis racked up 1,125 yards and 17 touchdowns on 163 carries in 2024, leading Notre Dame to the national title game. The Irish are 15/1 to win the national championship in 2025, and if they’re in the mix, it will likely be because Love improves on a terrific 2024 season. That alone would make him worthy of a bet at this price.