Ladd McConkey – NFL Draft Sleeper Alert
Jay Felicio
After a fun-filled college football regular season, the 2023 Heisman Trophy will be awarded on Saturday night in New York City. Before the season began, USC Trojans QB Caleb Williams was the favorite (+500) to win his second consecutive Heisman Trophy.
However, a lot has changed since August. Williams is not the betting favorite due to USC’s play this season, which has allowed quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels to jump into the conversation.
2023 Heisman Trophy Winner Odds – Favorites
Here are the latest Heisman Trophy odds for the 2023 college football season, according to DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU (-175)
- Michael Penix, QB, Washington (+900)
- Bo Nix, QB, Oregon (+1500)
Heisman Trophy Longshots
After those three QBs, there’s a significant drop in the odds.
- Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama (+10000)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State (+20000)
Why Is Jayden Daniels Favored to Win the 2023 Heisman Trophy?
Jayden Daniels was the biggest winner of conference championship weekend, as his Heisman Trophy odds vastly improved from +140 to -1200.
The dual-threat quarterback ended the regular season with a solid performance against Texas A&M. Daniels completed 66.7% of his passes for 235 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 120 rushing yards, making it the third time in the past five games Daniels went over the century mark.
This season, the 6-foot-3 quarterback has completed 72.2% of his passes for 3,577 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions. He also produced 1,134 rushing yards (career-high) and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
Lastly, Daniels is ranked first in the country in total touchdowns responsible for (50) and has recorded four games with 100-plus rushing yards. There’s no question that Daniels is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, and he’s on track to being named the best player in college football this season.
Michael Penix Jr.’s Odds to Win the 2023 Heisman Trophy
Michael Penix Jr. had the third-best odds to win the Heisman heading into the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday night. However, the former Indiana quarterback saw his odds shorten to +900 after the Huskies defeated the Ducks for the second time this season.
The 6-foot-3 southpaw signal-caller didn’t have gaudy passing numbers against the Ducks, but he made enough winning plays to lead Washington to a Pac-12 title and berth in the CFP. Penix completed 69.2% of his passes for 319 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Penix led the Huskies to a stellar 13-0 record in the regular season and two wins away from a national title. Penix has five more interceptions than Daniels but still has thrown for 4,218 yards and 33 touchdowns. The senior quarterback won’t win the Heisman, but he will receive a good amount of votes for what he’s accomplished this season in Seattle.
Bo Nix’s Odds to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy
With the Ducks losing the Pac-12 title game against Washington, Bo Nix has gone from the favorite (-175) to a longshot contender (+1500) to win the Heisman. The senior quarterback completed a season-low 61.8% of his passes for 239 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Nix also had 69 rushing yards in the three-point loss.
Overall, the senior quarterback had a fantastic season for Oregon and almost led them into the College Football Playoff. This season, he’s completed 77.2% of his passes (career-high) for 4,195 yards, 40 touchdowns and three interceptions.
He also had six rushing touchdowns, giving him 46 total touchdowns (second in the country). If Oregon defeated Penix and Washington on Friday night, Nix likely would’ve won the Heisman Trophy.
How Is the Heisman Trophy Winner Chosen?
A total of 870 voters get a ballot with three spots to fill. Each vote has a corresponding value. First place gets three points, second gets two, third one. Every ballot gets tallied, and the player with the most points is awarded the Heisman Trophy.
Besides voting results, three main things factor into who is likely to be voted the winner. Those three things are winning double-digit games, playing in a Power 5 conference, and excellent raw stats.
Past Heisman Winners
- 2022: Caleb Williams, QB, USC
- 2021: Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
- 2020: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
- 2019: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
- 2018: Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma
- 2017: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
- 2016: Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
- 2015: Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
- 2014: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
- 2013: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
- 2012: Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
- 2011: Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
- 2010: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
- 2009: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
- 2008: Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma
