Jeanty’s Heisman Lead Narrows as Ward Surges After Miami’s Win
Ashton Jeanty’s position atop the Heisman Trophy race took a hit over the weekend, even though the Boise State star running back and his team were idle in Week 8. While Jeanty still holds the top spot, his odds lengthened to +220 from +160, largely due to a standout performance from Miami quarterback Cam Ward, who catapulted his Heisman hopes with a stellar showing.
Ward capitalized on the opportunity, throwing for 319 yards and four touchdowns in Miami’s 52-45 victory over Louisville, moving the Hurricanes to a perfect 7-0. As a result, Ward’s Heisman odds were slashed from +650 to +250, making him the second favorite behind Jeanty.
Dillon Gabriel of Oregon, who had the second-shortest odds last week, saw his odds improve to +380 after the Ducks’ 35-0 win at Purdue. Gabriel’s strong play, combined with Oregon’s rise to No. 1 in the country, keeps him squarely in the Heisman conversation. Oregon’s top ranking could also help Jeanty, as Boise State’s lone loss this season came against the Ducks, a game in which Jeanty rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns.
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Heisman Trophy Odds (via DraftKings)
| Player | Team | July Odds | Week 1 | Last Week | Current |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Jeanty | Boise State | N/A | N/A | +160 | +220 |
| Cam Ward | Miami | +2200 | +950 | +650 | +250 |
| Dillon Gabriel | Oregon | +750 | +800 | +400 | +380 |
| Cade Klubnik | Clemson | N/A | N/A | +1200 | +1600 |
| Travis Hunter | Colorado | N/A | N/A | +1200 | +2000 |
| Carson Beck | Georgia | +800 | +900 | +1500 | +2500 |
| Jalen Milroe | Alabama | +1500 | +1100 | +1000 | +3000 |
| Garrett Nussmeier | LSU | +2200 | +3500 | +3000 | +3000 |
| Drew Allar | Penn State | N/A | N/A | +3000 | +3500 |
| Jaxson Dart | Ole Miss | +1400 | +850 | +2800 | +4000 |
| Shedeur Sanders | Colorado | N/A | +2200 | +6000 | +5000 |
| Will Howard | Ohio State | +1500 | +1600 | +7000 | +7500 |
| Jeremiah Smith | Ohio State | N/A | N/A | +7500 | +7500 |
| Quinn Ewers | Texas | +1000 | +1400 | +2500 | +7500 |
| Kurtis Rourke | Indiana | N/A | N/A | +5000 | +7500 |
| Bryson Daily | Army | N/A | N/A | +7500 | +7500 |
| Riley Leonard | Notre Dame | N/A | N/A | +8000 | +10000 |
| Nico Iamaleava | Tennessee | +1800 | +1200 | +12000 | N/A |
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Key Takeaways
- Cam Ward: Ward’s odds surged after a dominant performance that bolstered his Heisman candidacy, moving him to +250.
- Ashton Jeanty: Despite not playing, Jeanty remains the favorite but saw his odds lengthen to +220 as other candidates impressed.
- Dillon Gabriel: Gabriel’s consistent play and Oregon’s ascension to No. 1 in the rankings keep him firmly in contention at +380.
- Travis Hunter: The Colorado star dropped to +2000 after a lackluster performance, and teammate Shedeur Sanders saw his odds improve slightly to +5000.
- Jalen Milroe: Alabama’s second loss of the season significantly hurt Milroe’s Heisman hopes, as he fell to +7500.
As the Heisman race heats up, Cam Ward’s surge has brought a new level of intrigue, while Jeanty still holds a narrow edge. Gabriel and Ward are now poised to challenge for the lead as the season progresses.