Three Heisman Trophy Sleepers Worth Betting Before the 2026 Season

It’s impossible to predict who will win the Heisman this upcoming college football season, but the best time to make your picks is before the season. CJ Carr is currently the favorite, with Arch Manning, Darian Mensah, Trinidad Chambliss, and Jeremiah Smith following closely behind.

While these players have fairly earned their preseason hype, I don’t think there’s any value in picking them to win some hardware. Over the last four seasons, the Heisman winner has had odds greater than +2500, with the two most recent winners, Fernando Mendoza and Travis Hunter, having odds greater than +5000 before the season got underway. Here a few guys with longer odds that I think could have some serious value to win the Heisman this upcoming season.

John Mateer +2500

Before his injury against Auburn, Mateer was looking like an early Heisman favorite in 2025. He looked great against solid defenses in Michigan and Auburn, but once he returned from his broken hand, he was a shell of himself.

Oklahoma might be a quiet SEC contender this year, looking to build off a surprise playoff appearance this past season. I love betting on dual-option quarterbacks because they thrive in head-to-head comparisons at the end of the year. Mateer had Heisman odds under +1000 last season, so bet on him now before he shows out on the road in week two against Michigan.

Devon Dampier +8000

I am not high on Utah’s Kyle Wittingham replacement, Morgan Scalley, but he will inherit one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the country. At his best, Dampier is a highly efficient signal-caller, with some of the best athleticism at the position. His bowl game performance against Nebraska showcased his best, as he finished with 310 passing yards, 148 rushing yards, and five total touchdowns.

Of course, in his two ranked conference games, he turned the ball over three times, looked unwilling to push the ball downfield, and was bailing out of every clean pocket the second he sensed any pressure. In his second season in Salt Lake City, I’m hoping he becomes a stronger big-game performer, and if he is, he has a great chance to be a Heisman finalist. The schedule is light for Utah, missing Arizona State and Texas Tech in conference play, so if they can finish with a 10-12-win season, many will be looking for a Heisman pick out of Utah.

CJ Bailey +12500

I have serious doubts that NC State will perform well enough this season for Bailey to be a real Heisman contender, but he has such elite traits that I think I’m willing to take a very long shot on him. Last season, Bailey was quietly one of the better quarterbacks in the ACC, and offseason reports are claiming he’s just figuring out his 6’6” 210-pound frame.

NC State has a bit of a cakewalk this year. They might only finish with one ranked opponent on their schedule. If he can tear through his schedule and build on a 2025 campaign in which he threw for 3,100 yards, I think he could be a real threat to win the Heisman. I also love NC State to make the ACC Championship at +800.