There is no greater personal achievement in college football larger than the Heisman Trophy. If you think about the legends and future football Hall-of-Famers that have been honored to win this award, it can send butterflies to your stomach.
Winning this trophy is no easy feat. Usually, only 4 NCAA players are nominated to win the award. From there, it’s usually a two-horse race to capture the Heisman.
Looking over past decades, it’s amazing seeing the list of Heisman winners. You have recent winners that dominate the NFL like Derrick Henry (2015) and winners that are now Hall-of-Famers like Barry Sanders (1988).
With that being said, the finalists and betting odds have been released for the 2020 Heisman Trophy. The SEC has three finalists, while the ACC has one finalist.
Alabama Crimson Tide duo DeVonta Smith and Mac Jones own the best odds of the four players to win the Heisman this season. Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) and Kyle Trask (Florida) round out the top four candidates.
DeVonta Smith dominates the market across several sportsbooks. The Crimson Tide Wide Receiver is a top pick among bettors and is listed at -200 (Betway) to win the Heisman Trophy.
Generally, the Heisman Trophy is awarded to offensive players. Digging deeper into Heisman winners, Runningbacks and Quarterbacks dominate the awards presentation. If Smith wins the Heisman trophy, he’ll join an exclusive list. The last time the Heisman was awarded to a Wide Receiver was 1991. Overall, only three WR have won the Heisman trophy since being first awarded in
1935.
Alabama QB Mac Jones was one of the favorites to win the Heisman throughout the season, but teammate DeVonta Smith usurped him after an incredible season. Still, there is time for Jones to sway the voters. With Alabama set to face off against Notre Dame on January 1, a huge performance from Jones could be enough to receive votes.
Jones is listed at +187 (Betway) to win the Heisman trophy. The last winner from Alabama came in 2015 with Derrick Henry.
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence is projected to be the number 1 overall pick in the NFL draft but is still an underdog to win the Heisman this season. After finishing 7th in Heisman voting in 2019, Lawrence’s +550 (Betway) makes him a low-risk, high reward option for bettors.
Lastly, Kyle Trask rounds out the top 4 but is easily the biggest underdog in this group. The Florida Gators’ QB nearly doubled his touchdown production and slashed his interceptions this season compared to last, but it may not be enough. Unless a miracle happens with the voting committee, Trask’s +2800 (Betway) to win the Heisman doesn’t offer much value, considering the three other names in contention.
I think Smith is easily the choice to win the Heisman. While Jones and Lawrence have the ability to take over a game, Smith has been phenomenal this season and should be rewarded with the Heisman Trophy.
