This feels like the most wide-open Heisman race in recent memory. In any other year, there might not even be a current candidate worthy of making it to New York, let alone winning the award. However, it’s a funky season, and as of now, two quarterbacks from Georgia are in the top six of the race, according to oddsmakers.

2025 Heisman Trophy Odds (FanDuel)

• Fernando Mendoza (+100)
• Julian Sayin (+200)
• Marcel Reed (+550)
• Diego Pavia (+1500)
• Gunner Stockton (+2500)
• Haynes King (+3300)

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Currently, the three quarterbacks from the top three teams in the country are considerable favorites to win the award, but it’s not because they’ve done anything on the field that truly feels “Heisman” worthy.

The stats may look nice on the surface, but under the hood, they’re far less impressive. Fernando Mendoza has thrown 30 touchdowns compared to just five interceptions, but 12 of those scores came against Indiana State, Michigan State, and Kennesaw State. Here’s what his production has looked like against the three best defenses he’s faced:

• vs. Iowa: 13-of-23, 233 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
• vs. Oregon: 20-of-31, 215 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
• vs. Penn State: 19-of-30, 218 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception

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Much of Mendoza’s success has come from Indiana beating up on bottom feeders. He deserves some level of credit for that and will have the perfect opportunity to earn his “Heisman moment” against Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship, but nothing he’s done to this point should have him as a heavy favorite over guys like Gunner Stockton and Haynes King.

The same can be said for Julian Sayin. Twenty-five touchdowns and four interceptions look nice on the surface, but Ohio State has played just one team currently ranked in the top 25 — No. 17 Texas, at home. In that matchup, Sayin threw for only 126 yards and one touchdown. Comparatively, Gunner Stockton just accounted for five touchdowns against that same Texas team, and that might not even be his best performance of the season.

Notable Gunner Stockton Performances

• vs. Tennessee: 23-of-31, 304 yards passing, 38 yards rushing, 3 total touchdowns, no interceptions
• vs. Ole Miss: 26-of-31, 289 yards passing, 59 yards rushing, 5 total touchdowns, no interceptions
• vs. Texas: 24-of-29, 229 yards passing, 29 yards rushing, 5 total touchdowns, 1 interception

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One of these is not like the others. Georgia’s schedule has been brutal from start to finish, but every time they’ve needed Stockton to answer the bell, he’s done so like a quarterback worthy of winning the Heisman Trophy.

Haynes King slots into the former category of Fernando Mendoza and Julian Sayin — guys with impressive stat lines who haven’t exactly had opportunities against top-level opponents. King has accounted for more than 3,000 yards of offense and 24 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions, but what’s great about his case is that it has a chance to get a lot better over the next several weeks.

King faces a more than respectable Pittsburgh team at home this weekend for an opportunity to play for the ACC Championship. Then Georgia Tech plays Georgia. With wins in both matchups, King could have a legitimate shot to at least make it to New York, and another big performance in the ACC title game could vault him squarely into the mix. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but the path is there for him to put his name at the forefront of the conversation when it matters most.

The great thing about the Heisman Trophy race is it is almost never decided by this point in the season. The biggest tests for most of these teams are still yet to come, and one game can change everything — for better or for worse. Whichever quarterback finishes with the biggest statement will end up winning the award, no matter what the odds suggest right now.

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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire