This week’s top five in the Last Word Heisman poll features five players (six if you count the honorable mention) from only two conferences. The Big Ten and SEC have taken over the list completely. The anticipation is that the top four seeds in the first playoff rankings who receive a bye in the playoff, will also be from the SEC and Big Ten. The exclusion of other Power 4 conferences (and Notre Dame) further advances the narrative that college football is tumbling towards a grand redefining moment in which the power structure shifts entirely and the SEC and Big Ten grasp total control. Until that inevitable day, the Heisman voters still, theoretically, have the entirety of the college football landscape to choose from, but their vision is narrowing.
Week 9 Heisman Poll
The Non-QB Honorable Mention: Jeremiah Smith
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was widely regarded as the best skill player in the country coming into 2025. He burst onto the college football landscape as a freshman in 2024 and is on pace to surpass last year’s production as a true sophomore. In the 90 years that the Heisman Trophy has been awarded to college football’s best player, just over 44% of the winners were quarterbacks and nearly 49% were running backs (including fullbacks). Since 2000, 80% of the winners are quarterbacks. Given that a WR/DB won the award last year, the odds say it is highly unlikely to see another non-quarterback win this year. However, if anyone can do it, the impressive pass catcher in the scarlet and gray is leading the way.
#5 Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia
Georgia found itself in a highly competitive game with a battle-tested Florida Gators team on Saturday. The world’s biggest outdoor cocktail party, as the game is called, is played in “neutral” Jacksonville, Florida, and usually presents a top-tier matchup. That was not the case this year as UGA is arguably a top-five team nationally, and Florida fired its head coach weeks ago. Nonetheless, the rivals played it close, ultimately culminating in a 24-20 win for the Bulldogs.
Quarterback Gunner Stockton led the way for Georgia. Although Stockton still leads the SEC in completion percentage, flashy stats are not what land him on this list. Stockton is the leader with intangibles and moxie. His ability to will his team to victory garners him the type of attention needed to win the Heisman Trophy. Stockton may not have had much success on the ground against the Gators, but his dual-threat nature lends itself to more opportunities to impress voters.
#4 Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M
There has not been enough talk about Texas A&M nor Marcel Reed in 2025. The undefeated Aggies are beginning to see a clear path to Atlanta with only a Missouri team on its third quarterback, a floundering South Carolina team, Samford, and a matchup with rival Texas remaining. The leader of Mike Elko’s team is undeniably quarterback Marcel Reed, who possesses the most raw athleticism of any quarterback on the list.
The Aggies had a bye week in Week 10, so Reed was not at the forefront of many voters’ minds, but Reed’s playmaking ability stands out every time he touches the field. If he can have impressive showings against Mizzou and Carolina, he will set himself up to potentially cap an undefeated season and win the Heisman in one night when the Aggies close their season against a Longhorns team that looks to stay in the playoff race as well.
#3 Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Like Texas A&M, Alabama was off in Week 10. The SEC’s most productive quarterback, Ty Simpson, had an extra week to get ready for what is normally a big matchup with LSU. The casual fan could look at this matchup and write off an LSU team that has struggled offensively and fired its head coach and offensive coordinator. But, like Florida in the rivalry game with UGA, LSU has the talent and potential to give Alabama a game. Simpson’s continued effectiveness and ability to find the endzone will be a key to success for Bama the rest of the way.
The Tide offense has made its money through the air in 2025 and will lean on its quarterback to lead it to the College Football Playoff. Alabama’s playoff chances are tied to its Heisman candidate more than any other team on this list. The playmakers in space are plentiful for the Tide, but Simpson has to get them the ball. If he continues on his current pace against strong defenses like LSU, Oklahoma, and even Auburn, Simpson will be in a great position to bring home the Heisman.
#2 Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Fernando Mendoza had a less-than-stellar outing that led to his drop from first to second on our Heisman poll. Mendoza’s Indiana Hoosiers crushed a struggling Maryland team by a score of 55-10, but Mendoza’s one touchdown pass paled in comparison to the three and four touchdowns he threw in the two previous games, respectively. A quick glance at the score might indicate that team success translated to individual success for Mendoza. This is a common fallacy among casual sports fans. To truly see the performance, one has to watch the game.
Despite the score, Maryland rattled the Hoosier quarterback, picking him off on the opening drive of the game and harassing him in the backfield early. Mendoza settled in and ran for a touchdown in the first quarter and eventually found the endzone through the air before the end of the half. But the second half was won on the ground, which led to a blowout that put Mendoza on the bench for the final quarter.
#1 Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State
The biggest riser of the Heisman poll in Week 10 was Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin, who moved from fifth to first after an incredible performance against Penn State. Sayin was 20 for 23 for 316 yards and four touchdowns. Watching the game is helpful in this case as well, but the numbers do not lie for Sayin. The young quarterback had time to work in the pocket Saturday on the ‘Shoe. With a stable of weapons headlined by Smith, Sayin found regular success over the middle of the field.
This Ohio State football team is the most complete team in the country. The protection up front and elite playmaking ability out wide give Sayin the perfect setup to find success. The pocket was clean and spacious as Sayin dropped back and launched it deep with consistency. He did get some help from Smith on a tipped ball at the goal line to tally his fourth touchdown pass of the day. This type of performance, along with the number one team in the country around him has Sayin feeling super as the new number one in the Heisman race here at Last Word on College Football.
Main Image: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
