Burrow was widely considered a fringe draft pick before last season, while Murray seemed destined for the baseball diamond after succeeding 2017 winner Baker Mayfield at Oklahoma. With Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith taking home the 2020 Hesiman Trophy award, oddsmakers are already looking ahead to 2021. In the opening 2021 Heisman odds, Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler has been pegged as the early frontrunner. SportsLine oddsmakers have taken an early, unofficial glance toward next season already and project Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler to open as the betting favorite. Projecting early Heisman odds is more difficult than ever before because of the NCAA's granting of an extra year of eligibility to all football players (all athletes) – yes.
Which NCAAF player will take down the Heisman trophy in 2020?
After a pair of Oklahoma quarterbacks took down the prestigious Heisman trophy in 2017 and 2018, Joe Burrow emerged from no-where to take down the award in 2019. Since the year 2000, 85-percent of Heisman winners played the quarterback position. While the offseason just began for most of these young men, early 2020 Heisman odds provide a potential edge heading into the year.
Kedon Slovis – USC – Quarterback (+1000)
After starting the year behind both JT Daniels and Matt Fink in 2019, Kedon Slovis emerged as USC’s starting quarterback after injuries ravaged the position. Playing in only 12 games, Slovis led the Trojans to a 6-3 record in games where he took the majority of the quarterback snaps. Entering 2020 with +1000 odds, Slovis looks capable of reaching the award.
From a statistical perspective, Slovis dominated the 2019 season. The young quarterback averaged an absurd 381 passing yards per game in the nine games he played a majority of the snaps. He also posted a 30:9 touchdown-to-interception ratio, with a superb 71.9 Completion Percentage. While Slovis does not provide much as a rusher, his talent as a passer remains undeniable.
Positively for Slovis, he retains most of his weapons heading into 2020. Both Tyler Vaughns and Amon-Ra St. Brown remain with USC after posting 912 and 1,042 receiving yards respectively last year. Slovis also has a young emerging star in Drake London who posted a pair of 100-yard games near the end of the season.
With three strong receiving options and incredible production at a young age, Slovis looks like a solid candidate to take down the Heisman in 2020.
Early Heisman Favorites 2020
Mac Jones – Alabama – Quarterback (+1200)
While an Alabama quarterback hasn’t won the Heisman in over 20 years, NCAAF odds peg Mac Jones at +1200 to win the award. While Jones only played four full games in 2019, he showed promise as a passer down the stretch. Given the immense talent on Alabama’s roster, Jones provides solid value as the potential Heisman winner this upcoming year.
Playing only four full games in 2019, Jones averaged 293 passing yards per game, with a pair of 300-yard games to close out the year. Jones impressively completed 68.8-percent of his passes with a 14:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio as well. Known primarily as a pocket passer, Jones displayed enough in 2019 to potentially take down the award next season.
Similar to Slovis, Jones returns to a stud receiving corps for 2020. While Alabama loses Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs to the NFL, the team retains Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. In 2019, Smith recorded 1,256 receiving yards, while Waddle posted 560 yards as a part-time player. Both Smith and Waddle came to Alabama as 4-star prospects and top ten at their position coming out of high school.
With dangerous weapons on the outside and a strong arm, Mac Jones looks like a strong candidate to win the Heisman in 2020.
Bo Nix – Auburn – Quarterback (+3300)
For those looking for a dark-horse candidate to take down the Heisman, look no further than Auburn’s Bo Nix. NCAAF odds currently peg Nix at +3300 to win the award next season. However, after a strong showing as a true freshman, Nix looks capable of improving as a sophomore similar to Burrow this past season.
As a true freshman, Nix passed for 2,542 yards and 16 touchdowns in the SEC. He also completed 57.6-percent of his passes on his way to a statistically solid freshman season. Unlike the two quarterbacks mentioned above, Nix brings an added element to his game on the ground. Nix rushed for 313 yards and seven scores as a freshman, showing his ability to win in multiple ways.
Importantly, Nix also has a true alpha receiver on the offense in Seth Williams. Heading into his junior year, Williams posted 890 receiving yards and eight scores in this offense. Williams also showed the ability to take over games, with a pair of 100-yard performances. Coming to Auburn as a 4-star receiving prospect, Williams looks like a future NFL player and a talent weapon for Nix to use in 2020.
Early Heisman Favorites 2019
With Nix contributing as a runner and a passer for Auburn’s offense, he provides solids of winning the Heisman in 2020.
Best Bet: Mac Jones +1200 at BetOnline