The 2025 college football season has hit its mid-way mark. As teams begin to solidify their hopes of making a run at the College Football Playoff, attention is also turning toward individual awards. The biggest of these is the Heisman Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football. Presented since 1935, the Heisman remains the pinnacle of personal achievement in the sport.
Here are the Week 9 College Football Heisman Trophy Power Rankings for 2025:
—
### 1. Ty Simpson – Quarterback – Alabama
Ty Simpson is among the favorites to win the Heisman this year. Currently, he holds the top spot according to FanDuel, while DraftKings places him second. Historically, quarterbacks often take home the trophy, though recent winners like Travis Hunter, who played both wide receiver and cornerback, and DeVonta Smith, a wide receiver, highlight some exceptions. Typically, the winner emerges from a contending team, though standout seasons—such as Hunter’s last year or Robert Griffin III’s in 2011—can sway voters.
Simpson is checking all the boxes: Alabama is 6-1, with their only loss coming in Week 1. He ranks tenth nationally in passing yards, is tied for sixth in touchdown passes, and stands 12th in QBR. Impressively, he has thrown just one interception. Simpson has faced four ranked opponents consecutively—Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Tennessee—and has passed for over 250 yards in three of those games, tossing two or more touchdown passes in each, with only one interception across all four.
Alabama still has important games remaining against LSU and Oklahoma. Outside of a poor performance from the team or Simpson himself, the biggest challenge to his Heisman run could be Alabama’s final two games against Eastern Illinois and Auburn, which may not bolster his resume. Ballots for the award are sent the Monday before conference championship weekend and are due back the following Monday, with many voters casting their ballots before the championship games.
—
### 2. Marcel Reed – Quarterback – Texas A&M
If leading a team to an undefeated season improves Heisman chances, then Marcel Reed is a strong contender. Reed has been instrumental in leading the Aggies’ offense this season, passing for 1,770 yards and 15 touchdowns, while adding 241 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
However, Reed has yet to deliver standout statistical performances in key games. Against Mississippi State, he threw for just 180 yards and one interception, though he accounted for three total touchdowns. Against Auburn, he did not throw a touchdown and passed for 207 yards. Additionally, Texas A&M’s schedule has been lighter on ranked opponents, with only one ranked team faced so far—a narrow 41-40 win over Notre Dame.
Reed has the opportunity to strengthen his Heisman case with two upcoming tough road games against ranked opponents LSU and Missouri, followed by a season finale against Texas. If Texas A&M remains undefeated, Reed will likely garner significant votes. However, if they face Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, some voters may hold off and give their vote to the winner.
—
### 3. [Player Name Missing] – Position/Team Not Provided
[Note: The original content for the third ranking is incomplete, but it references a player facing Vanderbilt, a team recently in the AP Top 10 for the first time since 1947, currently 6-1 and with wins over LSU and South Carolina.]
This player has passed for 1,569 yards with 15 touchdowns, while rushing for 438 yards and four touchdowns, ranking sixth in FBS QBR. Recently, he delivered a Heisman-worthy performance against LSU, throwing for 160 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for 86 yards and two scores. Though his overall stats are not as gaudy as other contenders, he compensates with a less stacked supporting cast—something that could work in his favor with voters.
—
### 4. [Player Name Missing] – Quarterback – Indiana
Texas is part of the Southwest region, while Indiana competes in the Midwest. This Indiana quarterback has already hit the big-win criteria, posting wins over two top ten teams—Illinois and Oregon. Indiana currently stands undefeated, with only one game decided by a single score.
He leads the FBS with 21 touchdowns, passing for 1,755 yards and adding two rushing touchdowns. Notably, he has had four games with at least four passing touchdowns. The biggest concern for his Heisman chances lies in the season’s final stretch. Indiana has no major games remaining; as long as the Hoosiers stay undefeated, he remains in the conversation. However, a loss late in the season could seriously damage his campaign.
—
### 5. Julian Sayin – Quarterback – Ohio State
As the starting quarterback for the nation’s best team, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin naturally earns Heisman consideration. He has thrown for 1,872 yards with 19 touchdowns and ranks fourth nationally in QBR. Despite having three interceptions on the season, he has not thrown one in his last four games.
Sayin has led Ohio State to an undefeated record, but his biggest games have produced modest numbers. Against Texas, he passed for just 126 yards and a touchdown; against Illinois, 166 yards and two scores. While these performances are less eye-popping compared to some peers, continued team success should keep Sayin in the Heisman spotlight.
—
### 6. Jeremiyah Love – Running Back – Notre Dame
Since 2000, only five non-quarterbacks have won the Heisman Trophy. For a running back to win, multiple conditions must align: no clear front-runner at quarterback and an extraordinary season by the running back.
The last running back winner was Derrick Henry in 2015, who rushed for 2,219 yards and 29 touchdowns over 15 games. Love, on pace for approximately 1,625 yards and 20 touchdowns over 15 games, trails Henry’s historic pace—but remains fifth nationally in rushing yards and tied for eighth in rushing touchdowns.
Love recently posted a 228-yard, one-touchdown performance. If he can replicate a few more games of that caliber, he’ll stay in the Heisman conversation. Otherwise, his candidacy may be brief.
—
### 7. Gunner Stockton – Quarterback – Georgia
Gunner Stockton re-entered the Heisman discussion with a strong showing against Ole Miss, completing 83.9% of his passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns, plus a rushing touchdown. On the season, he has passed for 1,553 yards with ten passing touchdowns and added seven rushing scores.
However, his performance against Alabama was less impressive—130 yards passing and one touchdown. Still, if Georgia continues to win, Stockton has an outside chance to claim the trophy.
—
As the season progresses, these players will continue to jockey for position in the Heisman race. Performance in big games and team success will be critical factors leading into the final weeks and the conference championship games. Stay tuned as the 2025 Heisman Trophy race heats up!
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/clutchpoints-2025-week-9-college-football-heisman-trophy-power-rankings