Heisman Trophy 2022: Odds, Favorites,Sleepers And Long shots

With the return of college football comes the regular discussion regarding the Heisman Trophy, the most esteemed player award in sports. Even while gamblers can place wagers on the 2022 Heisman all season long, it can be advantageous to research the odds and place bets on certain players before the season begins. This is because a big game or two in the early going can quickly turn a sleeper into a contender (think Lamar Jackson in 2016.)

Bryce Young (+430), the quarterback for Alabama, is trying to become the first player since Archie Griffin to win the Heisman Trophy twice, but as of right now, he’s not the betting favourite. Will another player have a Heisman-caliber performance, or will Young put forth another dominant campaign?

Let’s take a look –

TOP 15 ODDS

Bryce Young Alabama +430
Caleb Williams Southern California +700
TreVeyon Henderson Ohio State +2000
Will Anderson Alabama +2200
Jahmyr Gibbs Alabama +2400
Bijan Robinson Texas +2500
Dillon Gabriel Oklahoma +2800
Tyler Van Dyke Miami +3500
Quinn Ewers Texas +3500
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Ohio State +4000
Will Shipley Clemson +5000
Spencer Rattler South Carolina +5000
Anthony Richardson Florida +5000
Jaxson Dart Ole Miss +5000
DJ Uiagalelei Clemson +5000

 

Heisman Trophy: Favorites

QB C.J. Stroud, +200 for Ohio State (implied probability 33.33 percent) After an outstanding rookie campaign in which he threw for 4,435 yards with a 44:6 TD-to-INT ratio and was the odds-on favourite, Stroud is still the favourite heading into the season. He should be welcomed to New York City for a second consecutive year with another production of over 4,000 passing yards and a strong TD-to-INT ratio.

Stroud’s current chances of +200 make it difficult to profit from betting on him to win the Heisman, so it may be wiser to wait until his odds decline during the course of the season. On the other hand, if you believe he has a strong start by destroying Notre Dame’s defence in Week 1, your chances might only become better.

It’s a risk, but to claim that one player has a 33.33 per cent probability of winning the Heisman even before the season begins is pretty commendable. Although Stroud is unquestionably a brilliant quarterback, the Heisman race this year could be exciting thanks to other talented players in college football.

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, +430 (implied probability 18.87 per cent)

Image Credits – One3.com

Young would be the overwhelming favourite to win the Heisman Trophy again if it weren’t for what looks to be Stroud’s outstanding 2022 campaign. Given that Young has had another offseason to study and grow, there is a remote probability that he will throw for 5,000 yards in his second season as a full-time starter.

After Alabama allowed 41 sacks the previous season, he will also receive significantly improved performance from his offensive line. Young might be able to trust the plan if his pockets were cleaner as opposed to needing to improvise and bail out.

Although losing star WRs Slade Bolden, John Metchie, and Jameson Williams hurts, Young is too fine of a quarterback to be concerned about the effects of a WR downgrade this season, even if he won’t have nearly as talented of a WR corps.

If Young dominates Texas in Week 2 in Austin, he has a chance to overtake Texas as the clear favourite. As the season goes on, his chances may only get worse. Therefore, right now would be the ideal time to participate in a potential Heisman repeat.

Odds for the 2022 Heisman Trophy: sleepers

Alabama, Will Anderson, LB, +2200 (implied probability 4.35 percent)

Last season, Anderson was humiliated by not receiving an invitation to New York City; this season, that’s likely to shift. A defensive player’s preseason Heisman odds of only 22-1 demonstrate exactly how outstanding he truly is. He’s so great that he really stands a chance of being the first defensive player to receive the prize since Charles Woodson in 1997.

Anderson produced a stellar 2021 season that saw the edge rusher pile up 17.5 sacks (leading in NCAA) and 57 solo tackles. He is impossible to defend against while one on one and is still difficult to contain when double-teamed. Anderson has the same opportunity as Young to advance early in the season with a strong performance versus Texas on national television in Week 2.

While Anderson’s odds were formerly greater than 22-1 this summer, he is still a sleeper to keep an eye on.

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, +6000 (Implicit Probability: 1.64%)

In the SEC East, Tennessee is most certainly the biggest threat to Georgia, and a huge reason for that is Josh Heupel’s effective attack, which is led by Hooker. Last season, Hooker replaced an unproductive Joe Milton as the Volunteers’ signal caller, and things began to connect.

Hooker had the entire offseason to proceed with mastering Heupel’s system, which might make the 6-4 quarterback even better in 2022. At 60-1, Hooker has a remote chance of receiving the invitation to New York if Tennessee manages to stun everyone and win the SEC East.

odds for the 2022 Heisman Trophy: long shots

+1.77500 Cameron Rising, QB, Utah (implied probability 1.32 per cent)

In a similar way to Hooker’s Heisman “story,” Rising replaced an unsuccessful quarterback early last season, which helped his school finish the season much stronger. Although Utah had the highest projected points added running the ball last season, they still had to rely on Rising to move the ball down the field and consistently make the correct reads. Rising produced an 84.2 QBR and an effective TD-to-INT ratio of 20:5. (sixth in NCAA).

Rising is mispriced at 75-1 given his quality and the fact that he plays for a team with playoff aspirations. There’s a fair chance he sinks to less than 75-1 as the season goes on, even though it’s increasingly likely he won’t get a trip to New York City in December.

+10000 Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State (implied probability 0.99 percent)
Despite not playing for a team that will likely end the season in the top 10, Vaughn topped all eligible players in wins above replacement last year. He is a key component of Kansas State’s attack and one of the hardest running backs to contain for a full 60 minutes.