Top Heisman candidates per mid-major conference

Former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty nearly became the first non-power conference Heisman Trophy winner since 1990 last season.

Who could follow him as a potential finalist from the Group of Five (and Pac-12) in 2025?

Below, we highlight our top preseason Heisman candidates, plus under-the-radar players, from each conference.

For our list of power conference Heisman contenders, click here.

The American Conference

Navy Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath | Navy began last season 6-0 and finished 10-3, its first double-digit win season since 2019. Horvath was outstanding operating the triple-option, ending the season with 1,246 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns. He was also a threat throwing the ball, ending the season with 13 passing touchdowns and averaging 9.7 yards per attempt.

Under-the-radar: Memphis Tigers quarterback Brendon Lewis

The sixth-year senior transferred this offseason from Nevada. Last season, he completed 67.6 percent of his passes for 2,290 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions, adding 775 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns.

Conference USA

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Maverick McIvor | Last season, McIvor, playing for FCS Abilene Christian, went to Texas Tech and nearly pulled off the upset of the year in Week 1. Abilene Christian opened as a 32.5-point underdog and lost, 52-51, on a failed two-point conversion attempt following a touchdown on its first overtime possession. McIvor was excellent as the Wildcats erased a 15-point first-quarter deficit, finishing 36-of-51 for 501 yards and three touchdowns.

Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton runs one of the country's most prolific passing attacks. Per Stathead, since his first season in 2019, the Hilltoppers rank third in FBS in passing (23,916 yards), only trailing Alabama (23,997) and LSU (24,727).

Under-the-radar: Liberty Flames quarterback Ethan Vasko

Liberty is the conference favorite, and dual-threat quarterback Vasko, who rushed for 184 yards in his first collegiate start, has strong playmaking potential.

Mid-American Conference

Miami (Ohio) RedHawks quarterback Dequan Finn | Last year was supposed to be Finn's breakthrough. He made a name for himself at Toledo, where he started from 2021-23, before transferring to Baylor in 2024. However, he lost his starting role after suffering a shoulder injury, and only appeared in three games, prompting a return to the MAC, which he's already ruled once.

Under-the-radar: Ohio Bobcats quarterback Parker Navarro

The sixth-year senior returns for a second year as Ohio starting quarterback. In 2024, the dual-threat weapon led the conference in yards per pass attempt (8.2) and rushing touchdowns (18). 

Mountain West Conference

Boise State Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen | After watching Jeanty come close to winning the Heisman, maybe it's Madsen's turn. He led the conference passing yards (3,018) and touchdowns (23) last season, after all, and the Broncos are just as much in play for a College Football Playoff berth this year.

Under-the-radar: San Jose State Spartans quarterback Walker Eget

Eget unexpectedly took over as QB1 midseason a year ago and averaged 304.5 pass yards per game in six starts, including four games over 300 yards.

Pac-12

Oregon State Beavers running back Anthony Hankerson | Hankerson is one of most productive returning FBS running backs. Per Pro Football Focus data, he ranked 20th in missed tackles forced (57) last season while rushing for 1,082 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Under-the-radar: Washington State Cougars quarterback: Zevi Eckhaus

The expected Cougars starter backed up John Mateer last season but threw 71 touchdowns and 25 interceptions over three seasons at FCS Bryant.

Sun Belt

Georgia Southern Eagles quarterback JC French IV | With the timeline for James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett (leg) to return unclear, French, who completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 2,831 yards, is arguably the Sun Belt's top returning starting quarterback.

Under-the-radar: Old Dominion Monarchs quarterback Colton Joseph

Joseph was a midseason replacement at quarterback, and the dangerous dual threat should have a strangle hold of the first-team quarterback role after averaging 310 yards and three touchdowns per game in seven 2024 starts.