Heisman Trophy Odds: Carson Beck Or Quinn Ewers? Jaxson Dart? Nico Iamaleava? Lots Of Competition In 2024

Are we headed towards one of the most fascinating Heisman Trophy races in recent memory around college football?

If you are one of those fans who have already started breaking down depth charts and schedules for the 2024 season, Heisman Trophy odds might give you an example of how Vegas is feeling about the upcoming playoff race. 

Here we are once again, coming out of spring practice and looking ahead to the season that is only four months away. If you are a college football purist, then you know that the start of conference media days in July is the ‘green flag’ of the sport, with talking season getting underway and expectations being levied by fans across the country. 

Besides the early betting-lines for win totals for teams in 2024, the Heisman Trophy conversation has already turned into a heated topic, thanks to Shedeur Sanders and expectations for title contenders. Speaking of Sanders, you'd be surprised about where he lands on the current betting odds. 

While college football fans were salivating over Arch Manning's spring game, Texas starting quarterback Quinn Ewers is quietly leading the way when it comes to the early Heisman favorite, along with a familiar face in Georgia. 

Quinn Ewers And Carson Beck Are The Current Favorites, Not By Much

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is entering his ‘money year’ under Steve Sarkisian, while they also enter into the SEC in a new era of college football. Even though the Longhorns starting quarterback will be facing a gauntlet when it comes to a schedule, with games against Michigan, Georgia, Oklahoma and Texas A&M, this hasn't stopped the hype train. 

Ewers currently sits at (+900) according to most betting sites, and this could be the perfect opportunity to play the long game. Sure, the schedule will be tough in a new conference, but Ewers is surrounded by talent once again, and the early test at Michigan should give us a barometer on the potential success this season. 

As for Carson Beck, the Georgia quarterback pulled off a gutsy season for the Bulldogs, coming up just one game short of making the playoffs, with the SEC championship loss to Alabama. After throwing for 3,941 yards, with 24 touchdowns and only six interceptions, while rushing for another four TD's, Beck is poised for another big season in Athens. 

Bulldogs QB Carson Beck passes against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

This Kirby Smart team has reloaded, and with Carson Beck currently tied with Quinn Ewers at (+900) according to most sites, i would certainly make the prediction that Beck is vying for the trophy as we head into the final weeks of the 2024 season. 

It's The Dillon Gabriel Show At Oregon, And The Heisman Odds Look Nice

Ok, this could end up being a match made in heaven for Oregon and Dan Lanning. Having Dillon Gabriel takeover for Bo Nix is the perfect transition at quarterback. Throwing for almost 3,700 yards last season at Oklahoma, with 30 touchdowns through the air, while rushing for another 12 TD's on the ground feels like the perfect scenario for what Oregon is doing with this offense. 

Currently hovering around the (+1000) mark in Heisman odds, it will be interesting to see how this Oregon offense handles the Big Ten defenses that are coming its way. Either way, Dillon Gabriel has done enough to prove that he's worthy of being at the top of these lists. 

More SEC QB's In The Top Six For Heisman Odds. Will Howard, Really?

One of the more entertaining battles we will see this season in the SEC centers around quarterback competition for two schools looking to make a run at the playoffs. For Jalen Milroe and Jaxson Dart, this will be a crucial season for both QB's, with different expectations when it comes to win totals. 

Both Milroe and Dart are hovering around (+1300-+1700) in Heisman odds. 

Let's be honest, we don't know what this season will look like at Alabama under new coach Kalen DeBoer, even if we think it's a 10-win team. But, we do know what Jalen Milroe brings to the table after a tough start to the 2023 season. Taking the reins after the USF game last year, Milroe turned into a bonafide SEC starter, finishing with 35 touchdowns on the season. But this offense will look different under Kalen DeBoer, and I'm fascinated to see how it works for Milroe. 

ATLANTA - Jalen Milroe of the Alabama Crimson Tide poses with the MVP trophy after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 27-24 in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2, 2023. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

For Jaxson Dart, this is the season where Ole Miss fans are expecting a run towards the college football playoff. Thanks to what head coach Lane Kiffin has done with the transfer portal, and the amount of talent that returns from 2023 team at skill positions, this is the year when Jaxson Dart could make a run at the Heisman Trophy. Dart has the weapons, and the defense might be good enough that he doesn't have to get into a trackmeet every weekend. 

As for Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, he is walking into a must-win situation for the Buckeyes. He's proven he can be a reliable starter, based on what he did at Kansas State in 27 starts during his time there. But is he the type of guy that will put-up Heisman caliber numbers in Columbus? We've seen what Ryan Day can do with talented quarterbacks, and maybe this works out next season, but having Howard at (+1400) seems like an early reach that Vegas is hoping Ohio State fans jump on. 

What About Nico Iamaleava or DJ Uiagalelei? Outliers Could Cause Chaos

It's Nico Iamaleava time in Tennessee, and while Josh Heupel is doing his best to calm the expectations around the 5-star quarterback, fans of the Big Orange are ecstatic for the new era. This offense fits perfectly for what Iamaleava brings to the table, and his ability to run at the fast-pace could lead to the same type of offense we saw under Hendon Hooker. 

Iamaleava currently sits at around (+1800-+2000) in betting odds. 

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Nico Iamaleava of the Tennessee Volunteers leaves the field after their win over the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium on November 25, 2023. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

The best part about this season for Nico is that he hasn't been rushed into action. Heupel made sure he wouldn't play much in 2023, for a reason. Learning the Heupel offense is difficult for most quarterbacks. so having a full year to sit behind Joe Milton was the best thing for the sophomore. Now, the reins have been passed on, and this Tennessee offense is the reason why Nico is in the top-ten for Heisman odds. . 

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei of the Oregon State Beavers warms up before the Oregon State Spring Football Game at Reser Stadium on April 22, 2023. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)

For D.J. Uiagalelei at Florida State, he has big shoes to fill with Jordan Travis off to the NFL. The Oregon State transfer is hoping his time in Corvalis has prepared him to lead the Seminoles to a playoff run. Passing and rushing for over 78 touchdowns during his time as a Beaver quarterback could make him a logical longshot favorite to take home the Heisman this season, which is why he's currently sitting at (+3000) according to most Vegas books. 

Here are a few other names to keep an eye on, and maybe take a gamble on right now for the upcoming season. 

• Shedeur Sanders is anywhere between (+3000-+3500)
• Missouri WR Luther Burden is currently sitting at (+8000)
• Utah QB Cam Rising returns from injury and currently sits at between (+3500-+4000)

We are preparing for what might be the wildest season of college football in a very long time with the new college football playoff format. But when it comes to the Heisman Trophy, anything can happen, and I imagine we will see a player come out of nowhere and make noise towards the end of 2024. 

Let the off-season arguments continue!