It’s good to be a quarterback again. After 2024 featured running backs and athletes leading our Heisman list, the signal callers have stormed back—11 of the 13 nominees this week play under center. You might catch a fever when you see who landed on Honorable Mention, while our No. 1 pick unleashed the Boom on Saturday night. Missing from the list? The quarterback from lil’ Ole Clemson. The Last Word on College Football braintrust has spoken. Let’s get to our Week 2 Heisman list. We’ve also charted whose stocks are on the rise and which are slipping.
Week 2 Heisman Poll
Honorable Mention Blake Shapen, Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Cowbells were clanging on Saturday night in Stark Vegas. Blake Shapen’s late-game heroics helped lead Hail State to an upset win over the defending national champion Arizona State Sun Devils. Shapen hit Brenen Thompson on a 58-yard winning touchdown with 30 seconds left in a 24-20 victory. It was a big victory for the Bulldogs and may be the springboard Mississippi State needs to get on track in year two under Jeff Lebby. Shapen completed 19 of 33 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns in the win.
#4 LaNorris Sellers QB South Carolina Gamecocks (⬆️ 1)
The Southeast was ravaged by thunderstorms on Saturday, leading to sloppy games and weather delays. The Gamecocks’ offense has been sloppy as well to start the 2025 season. LaNorris Sellers is arguably one of the game’s most dynamic threats, even if his numbers don’t jump off the page. On Saturday against South Carolina State, Sellers completed 11 of 19 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown, while also rushing for 23 yards on eight attempts. The Gamecocks will need to be sharp on Saturday night as they play host to Diego Pavia and the Vanderbilt Commodores.
#4 Carson Beck QB Miami Hurricanes (NR)
Carson Beck returns to our Heisman poll with a new team. After a disappointing end to 2024, Beck transferred to Miami from Georgia to start again. He wasted little time making an impact. He led the Hurricanes to an upset win over Notre Dame in the “Catholics vs. Convicts” rivalry. This week, the Hurricanes will be the CW game of the week as they play host to South Florida. The Bulls have already knocked off favorites Boise State and Florida this season. Beck would like to make South Florida see red on Saturday.
#3 Jeremiah Smith WR The Ohio State University ( ⬇️ 1)
Just as we predicted last week. Jeremiah Smith bested his Week 1 results against Texas, six catches for 43 yards, with a big performance on Saturday against Grambling State. Smith had just five receptions, but he made them count. He finished the game with 119 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, including an 87-yard touchdown pass. This week, the Buckeyes will face Ohio, which jumped out and beat West Virginia in Athens. Let’s hope for Smith and Ryan Day that the Bobcats don’t make it two straight.
#2 Garrett Nussmeier QB LSU Tigers (⬇️ 1)
Nice. Not thrilling but nice. A great quote from History of the World, and a reference we’ve used before. But if the shoe fits, wear it. Garrett Nussmeier and LSU are 2-0 on the season. They’ve knocked off Clemson and Louisiana Tech. But let’s face it, the offense has been less than impressive. 23 points against Louisiana Tech just isn’t gonna cut it. Nussmeier passed for 237 yards and a touchdown in LSU’s 23-7 win on Saturday. Maybe they can get on track this week as the Tigers welcome the Gators to Baton Rouge.
#1 John Mateer QB Oklahoma Sooners (⬆️ 3)
Speaking of expectations. This writer has been skeptical whether John Mateer was ready for the big time. Well, the Sooner quarterback made his presence known in Oklahoma’s win over Michigan in Norman on Saturday night. Mateer was the straw that stirred the Sooners’ offense. He finished the game completing 21 of 34 passing for 270 yards and one touchdown (and throwing one interception). He was also the main rushing attack for the Sooners, finishing with 19 rushes for 74 yards and two touchdowns. Mateer accounted for all three of Oklahoma’s touchdowns in the 24-13 victory. We all knew Oklahoma had a good defense. Mateer has helped start to answer the question of whether the offense can be enough to make the Sooners shine in 2025. Mateer and the Sooners travel to Philadelphia this weekend to play at Temple.
Main Image: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
