Best Heisman Trophy Dark Horse Picks for 2025 College Football Season

At this point in the college football season, you can’t win the Heisman, but you can certainly work your way out of contention. The favorites are finding their footing, and players such as John Mateer, Carson Beck, and Dante Moore are beginning to pull away from the pack.

Fortunately, there are still many guys being undervalued, so I’m trying to find some value with these picks.

Tommy Castellanos +2800

389 Pass Yds, 3 PTD, 0 INTs, 85 Rsh Yds, 1 RTD

This play is pretty simple. If Florida State goes 12-0 after one of their worst seasons in school history, and Castellanos leads the Seminoles to the playoffs, he will have as good a chance as any to win the Heisman.

Head coach Mike Norvell has been running the score up on teams, so once ACC play starts, Castellanos will have the chance to pad some of his stats against weaker defenses. Against Alabama, Castellanos had a few “Heisman Moments,”^[1] but voters won’t remember something that happened in Week 1.

If he can pull off the upset against Miami, the opportunity will undoubtedly be available for Castellanos.

Devon Dampier +2000

628 Pass Yds, 7 PTD, 0 INTs, 198 Rsh Yds, 1 RTD

If Dampier didn’t play in the Big 12, he would be one of the most talked-about Heisman front-runners. Of course, last year’s Heisman winner was from the Big 12^[2], but he played for a Deion Sanders-led Colorado, so it’s a lot different.

There are not many guys in college football more exciting to watch than Dampier. He’s got his first big game this weekend against Texas Tech, and, to be honest, his entire Heisman campaign hinges on this one.

In the Big 12, there aren’t many opportunities for ranked games, and with Iowa State not on schedule, big things need to happen for Dampier this week. He’s one of the best rushing QB’s in the country, and when it’s time to vote on this award, the highlight plays will be there for Dampier, and that’s half the battle when convincing old man Heisman voters.

Aidan Chiles +10000

656 Pass Yds, 6 PTD, 1 INT, 123 Rsh Yds, 1 RTD

Michigan State might be an awful football team, and if that prediction comes to fruition, Chiles won’t be anywhere near New York when they’re presenting the Heisman.

The Spartans fortunately avoid Ohio State and Oregon^[3] on their schedule, so if things break perfectly, there’s a universe (however unlikely) in which Michigan State wins 9+ games. If that occurs, Chiles puts up Heisman numbers.

The thought process on this bet is that the line has too much value, and you can just put a small amount on it and see if you’re ever offered a positive cashout.