Heisman Trophy Betting Trends

Will an Oklahoma transfer quarterback bring home the Heisman Trophy for the third year in a row? With former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts suiting up for the Sooners in the fall, he’ll give Oklahoma the chance to become the only school to produce three consecutive Heisman winners.

Hurts has his work cut out for him, as a handful of signal-callers lead the pack as favorites to claim the storied award. Clemson pocket passer Trevor Lawrence (+200) is the preseason pick to win the Heisman, followed by dual-threat Alabama star Tua Tagovailoa (+250). The top six names considered most likely to lift the trophy all play quarterback, while running back Jonathan Taylor (+1800) of Wisconsin has the best shot to win at a non-QB position.

History might indicate who will be named the most outstanding college football player in December. Below are a few key trends and factors to consider when betting on the 2019 Heisman winner.

20

The number of juniors who have won the award. The first was Army fullback Doc Blanchard in 1945, and the last was Murray in 2018. Other notable juniors include Navy quarterback Roger Staubach, back-to-back winner Archie Griffin of Ohio State, Herschel Walker, Barry Sanders, Desmond Howard, Cam Newton and Marcus Mariota.

In 2012 Johnny Manziel became the first freshman to win the Heisman. Jameis Winston accomplished the same feat as a first-year player in 2013.

Of the three favorites to win in 2019, Lawrence and Justin Fields are sophomores, and Tagovailoa is a junior. The last sophomore to win the Heisman was Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson in 2016.

13

The number of winners produced by the state of California, including Glenn Davis in 1946, O.J. Simpson in 1968, Marcus Allen in 1981, Carson Palmer in 2002 and Matt Leinart in 2004. Baker Mayfield and Murray are both from Texas, as is Hurts. Should Hurts win in 2019, Texas will stand at No. 2 behind California with 10 winners from the Lone Star State.

7

The most Heisman trophies won by one school. Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oklahoma are each tied at seven, while USC is the next closest at six. Beyond those four no school has won more than three times. Once again Hurts can help put Oklahoma over in the record books. Fields could also move Ohio State into first place with a win in 2019.

Running back

The position that has won the most Heisman trophies. From 1972-1983, running back swept the award, with names like Griffin, Tony Dorsett, Earl Campbell, Allen and Walker dominating the college scene.  The trophy has been handed to a running back 45 times. In the last two decades, however, quarterback has been the most decorated position by the Heisman committee.

Since 2000 a quarterback has won every year but three, in which a running back earned the most votes instead. Should a quarterback win in 2019, it will be the 37th time the position has won.

Ironically, the award is named after interior lineman John Heisman, yet no interior lineman has ever won the award.

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Find the full list of Heisman odds at BetAmerica.