Ohio State football’s betting favorite for the Heisman isn’t Jeremiah Smith: Buckeye Breakfast

Posted by author January 29, 2025 Football

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith is arguably the best receiver returning to college football for the 2025 season.

However, he’s not the Buckeyes’ betting favorite to win the Heisman Trophy.

That title belongs to quarterback Julian Sayin, who has yet to start a game in his collegiate career.

Sayin has +1500 odds to win the award given annually to the top player in the sport, according to DraftKings. He has the fifth-best odds among all players.

Smith is slightly behind at +1600 odds.

West Virginia transfer running back CJ Donaldson and safety Caleb Downs have the third-best odds among OSU players with both at +20000.

Sayin’s odds are, clearly, a result of the position he plays. A quarterback has won the award 20 times this century.

The former Alabama transfer is expected to be Ohio State’s starter as a true sophomore. As a freshman, he appeared in four games and played 27 snaps — recording 84 passing yards and a touchdown.

Here are the five betting favorites:

Arch Manning (Texas QB): +700
Garrett Nussmeier (LSU QB): +900
Drew Allar (Penn State QB): +1000
Cade Klubnik (Clemson QB): +1400
Julian Sayin (Ohio State QB): +1500

Ohio State continues its pursuit of a top prospect

Eight days after winning a national title, Ohio State coach Ryan Day was back on the recruiting trail.

Alongside offensive line coach Justin Frye, Day was in Missouri on Tuesday visiting Jackson Cantwell — the nation’s top-ranked prospect in the 2026 class.

Cantwell is an offensive tackle attending Nixa High School in Nixa, Missouri.

Ohio State’s appearance came a day after Oregon offensive line coach A’lique Terry was in town. Georgia, Miami, Texas A&M and Alabama have also made recent visits.