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Paul Finebaum Names College Football QB He Thinks Is ‘Very Likely’ to Win the Heisman
© Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The 2025 college football season has begun, and the race for the Heisman Trophy is in full swing. The Heisman is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football.

Last year, the trophy was awarded to Travis Hunter, a wide receiver and cornerback for the Colorado Buffaloes. However, this award is typically dominated by quarterbacks, who have won it 20 times since 2000. The players with the best odds to win this year are primarily quarterbacks as well. They are:

  • Texas Longhorns QB Arch Manning (+600)
  • Clemson Tigers QB Cade Klubnik (+900)
  • LSU Tigers QB Garrett Nussmeier (+900)
  • Ohio State Buckeyes WR Jeremiah Smith (12-1)
  • South Carolina Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers (16-1)

On "The Paul Finebaum Show," the SEC Network analyst expressed that he believes one of those players is likely to win the award, and it's not Manning.

"I think Klubnik is very likely to win it," Finebaum said.

Cade Klubnik Would Become First Heisman Winner in Clemson History

The Tigers have a proud program with a rich history, particularly since 2010. Clemson has won two national championships—in 2016 and 2018—and has participated in seven College Football Playoffs. The team has produced several standout players, including quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence, both of whom led the team to a national championship but did not win the Heisman Trophy.

If Finebaum's prediction comes true, Klubnik would be the first player in program history to win the Heisman. He had an impressive 2024 season, throwing for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and only six interceptions in his second year as the starting quarterback. Additionally, he rushed for 463 yards and scored seven touchdowns over 14 games. He is projected to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Things Weren't Always Smooth For Cade Klubnik at Clemson

While there is significant excitement surrounding Klubnik this year, it wasn't always this way. In an interview with Crissy Froyd at USA Today, he mentioned that many fans wanted him to be replaced.

“Last year, when (I was at the Manning Passing Academy), I only got interviewed by two people,” Klubnik said. “I’m looking around and there’s a crowd around everybody else. A year ago, everybody told me I sucked and I didn’t get my approval from that, but I still heard it. That was definitely some fuel, and I think I’m still kind of living off that a little bit.” 

After a lackluster first year as a starter, the former five-star recruit threw for 2,844 yards, 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Clemson finished the season with a 9-4 record, marking the first time since 2010 that the team did not achieve 10 wins.

Following a strong performance, Klubnik has emerged as a Heisman favorite and is aiming to lead Clemson to its first national championship since 2018. This quest begins with a significant game against LSU at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday on ABC.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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