Colorado’s Travis Hunter Jr. won the 2024 Heisman Trophy. He, along with the other three finalists, are expected to declare for the NFL Draft when the season wraps up.
With the offseason in full swing, from playoff games to the transfer portal, early contenders for the 2025 award are emerging.
According to USA TODAY’s Austin Curtwright, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is among the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy.
The quarterback recently announced his intentions to don the purple and gold once again next fall.
“Nussmeier proved he can absolutely sling the football in 2024,” Curtwright wrote.
Nussmeier wouldn’t be the first fifth-year quarterback to win the Heisman at LSU — Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels followed similar paths before taking home the trophy in year five.
Quarterbacks also mentioned in multiple projections are Texas’ Arch Manning, Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, and Tennessee’s Nico Imamleava.
Head coach Brian Kelly said Nussmeier is arguably the best quarterback in the conference and nationally returning for next season.
The Tigers made a conceited effort to bring in other weapons to surround Nussmeier, demonstrated through portal acquisitions of two receivers and a tight end.