College football’s spotlight usually shines on a handful of household names, but this season, savvy fans and bettors are turning their radar toward the under-the-radar figures who could crash the party.
These dark-horse Heisman candidates have the tools, environment, and momentum to surge into the national conversation and potentially shift value in the markets.
Below, we shine a spotlight on four standout players who may not be at the top of every ballot now, but who are quietly positioning themselves as serious contenders.
LaNorris Sellers
Position: Quarterback
Team: South Carolina Gamecocks
LaNorris Sellers enters 2025 as one of the most intriguing dark-horse Heisman candidates in the country. After a breakout redshirt-freshman season that produced over 2,500 passing yards and 674 rushing yards, he earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors and cracked early lists of Heisman contenders.
His dual-threat capability, strong arm, and dynamic legs give him the kind of profile voters love. Add the fact that he led the South Carolina Gamecocks to wins over ranked opponents and delivered down the stretch, and the result is a player whose ceiling looms large.
Sellers’ challenge is living up to the hype, avoiding turnovers, and surpassing his own lofty goals. However, if he elevates his passer efficiency and maintains his rushing output in the competitive SEC, he could be the sleeper who sneaks into the final Heisman conversation.
Ryan Williams
Position: Wide Receiver
Team: Alabama Crimson Tide
Ryan Williams offers a different take on the dark-horse narrative, not a quarterback, but a wide receiver primed for breakout status. He smashed onto the scene as a true freshman at the Alabama Crimson Tide with 865 yards, eight touchdowns, and an average of over 18 yards per catch.
While receivers are rarely front-and-center in the Heisman candidates talk, Williams’ talent and youthful ascendancy make him worthy of attention. His route running, explosive speed, and ability to make contested catches give him the “wow” factor.
If Alabama’s offense continues to elevate and he becomes the primary focus of opposing defenses, Williams could begin stacking box-score stats that translate into Heisman buzz.
His advantage: being under the radar now means he can rise without carrying a preseason burden.
The hurdle: remaining consistent and visible in a quarterback-dominated race.
Drew Allar
Position: Quarterback
Team: Penn State Nittany Lions
Drew Allar already carries the pedigree and expectation befitting a top-tier signal-caller, yet in 2025, he still qualifies as a dark horse among elite Heisman candidates.
He returns to the Penn State Nittany Lions with improved weapons around him and a renewed opportunity to dominate the Big Ten.
His arm strength, size, and previous production (3,000+ passing yards in 2024) set a strong foundation. What sets Allar apart is his clear path: if Penn State’s offense takes a step forward and he leads the team to serious playoff contention, the Heisman discourse naturally follows.
Observers rank him as the “fourth most likely” or better among candidates.
The risk: high expectations and the need for dominant performances in marquee games. If Allar delivers, though, his name could leap from dark horse to frontrunner.
Dylan Raiola
Position: Quarterback
Team: Nebraska Cornhuskers
Dylan Raiola is the wild card of this list, less proven than some of his peers, but boasting uncanny upside and narrative alignment that make him one of the more compelling Heisman candidates to monitor.
Analysts point to his skill set (mobility, arm strength), his rapid improvement, and his unique storyline at the Nebraska Cornhuskers as factors that could spark a breakout campaign.
His odds to win the Heisman have improved significantly, signalling that sportsbooks and bettors are starting to embrace his potential. With Nebraska in a position to surprise and Raiola fitting the “next-gen quarterback” mold voters love, he embodies the high-risk, high-reward dark-horse pick.
The caveat: he and his team must translate promise into performance, and Nebraska must win high-visibility games. If they do, Raiola might emerge from the shadows.
Bettor Takeaway
For bettors tracking the Heisman candidates landscape, this season’s value resides in the fringes, players with upside and long odds, not the chalk picks everyone already backs.
The market for odds to win the Championship and Heisman futures is often shaped by momentum, visibility, and narrative rather than strictly by statistics.
Sellers offers dual-threat appeal and SEC spotlight; Williams has a massive breakout ceiling with less preseason pressure; Allar couples an elite profile with team structure and immediate expectations; Raiola presents the most speculative yet largest swing potential.
When placing wagers, spreading a portion of the bankroll across two or three of these names might hedge the risk and increase upside.
Targeting the “someone else” factor, picking a candidate who isn’t the obvious frontrunner, can pay dividends, especially if the favorite stumbles. In other words: don’t just bet the names everyone knows; bet the names that everyone should know.
An Unpredictable Race
These four players illustrate the unpredictable nature of the Heisman race: not just the household names, but the candidates who rise quietly, build momentum, and leap into contention.
Sellers, Williams, Allar, and Raiola each bring distinct profiles, unique narratives, and compelling upside.
While not currently dominating conversations like Arch Manning (from the Texas Longhorns) or Cade Klubnik (from the Clemson Tigers), these candidates still have a strong chance of winning the Heisman Trophy because of the unpredictable nature of college football.
If you’re a fan tracking storylines or a bettor lining up futures markets, these dark horse Heisman candidates deserve your attention.
*Content reflects information available as of 2025/10/31; subject to change.
