2024 Heisman Trophy Odds: Five Quarterbacks to Watch

The 2024 calendar year is here. That means the 2024 college football season will be here before you know it. 

As such, the BetMGM online sportsbook has already priced up the 2024 college football national championship odds market. You can go take a look at those odds and establish some early futures positions if you like. 

Other markets, like the 2024 Heisman odds, have yet to be released. Last year, the market went live in late spring.

Heisman Favorites 2024

While bettors are holding our breath in anticipation of the new Heisman odds table, here’s an early look at some of the names I expect to be near the top of the chart this offseason.

Quinn Ewers

Ewers is the most likely choice for preseason Heisman favorite. A two-year starter and 2023 College Football Playoff quarterback, Ewers brings plenty of experience with him as the Longhorns prepare to enter the SEC. 

Naturally, weekly games against SEC defenses will give Ewers even more chance to shine as a potential Heisman candidate and NFL prospect. 

Ewers already spent most of 2023 as a Heisman-relevant player, so the drumbeat will only get louder during the upcoming season.

Carson Beck

Kirby Smart and Georgia are known for defense, which might explain why the young, semi-invisible Beck got a bit lost in the shuffle in 2023. 

Beck threw for 3,941 yards and 24 touchdowns (six interceptions) last season. His 85.2 Total QBR ranked seventh among all 2023 college football quarterbacks. 

Beck’s biggest problem in the Heisman market is perception. Ask a random college football fan to name an offensive player from Georgia’s 2023 team, and the most common response might actually be tight end Brock Bowers. That’s a real problem for any quarterback with Heisman aspirations.

Still, there was a time when a Saban-era Alabama quarterback receiving Heisman acclaim was practically unthinkable. But if you’re good enough for long enough, people who matter do eventually notice. 

I think 2024 is the season where Beck will demand national respect. If I’m buying one Heisman ticket at market open, it’s probably this one. 

Dillon Gabriel 

It’s time for a transfer portal pop quiz. Where will former UCF and Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel be playing college football in 2024?

If you guessed the Pacific Northwest, you’re correct. Gabriel is transferring to Oregon to play successor to Bo Nix for a Ducks program that is well-positioned for a 12-team playoff. 

Dan Lanning is among the youngest coaches in college football, but he’s clearly got a system in place that works. Nix was a veteran quarterback who put up huge numbers and nearly won the Heisman in 2023; Gabriel could fit a very similar mold in 2024.

Jalen Milroe

Jalen Milroe looked lost for long stretches in the opening weeks of the 2023 season. By the end of the year, he was leading impossible comebacks and beating superior teams in the SEC Championship. There’s wide agreement that Nick Saban turned in one of the best coaching performances of his career during his final year in Tuscaloosa. 

So … now what? Alabama will open up the Kalen DeBoer era with Milroe as a far more seasoned quarterback. At least for now, Alabama football and its head coach remain rightfully hyped. That means preseason Heisman buzz for Milroe. 

Whether or not the buzz solidifies into substance will depend on Milroe and his early performances – particularly a Sept. 28 game against Georgia. 

Will Howard

The former Kansas State playmaker is joining the roster at Ohio State as a graduate transfer. After a 2023 season marred by missed expectations – especially at quarterback – the Buckeyes are happy to have him.

Howard was effective at Kansas State, which likely means a tenure with five-star complimentary pieces in Columbus could spell true high-level success for Howard. 

However, Howard will appear on most watchlists mainly because he’s the Ohio State quarterback – not necessarily because of what he’s already shown us in the Big 12. Ohio State quarterbacks automatically appear on most preseason Heisman lists regardless of how good they actually are. See also: McCord, Kyle.

List of Heisman Trophy Winners