2025 Heisman Watch: Garrett Nussmeier Leads Pack, Jeremiah Smith Shut Behind

Week 1 of the school soccer season is the place preseason predictions flip into actuality. Whereas some stars put collectively excellent performances, others fell in need of expectations.

Texas quarterback Arch Manning could not discover a rhythm in a loss to No. 3 Ohio State, which gained regardless of a quiet day from vast receiver Jeremiah Smith. In the meantime, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Oklahoma’s John Mateer have been two quarterbacks who pushed themselves atop the Heisman race with spectacular Week 1 showings.

Here’s a have a look at our 2025 Heisman Watch following the primary full Saturday of the school soccer season.

Garrett Nussmeier, QB, LSU: +750

Garrett Nussmeier threw for 230 yards and one landing in Week 1. (Picture by Kristen Younger/LSU/College Photos through Getty Photos)

In a battle between two Heisman candidates, Nussmeier outplayed Clemson’s Cade Klubnik. The Tigers QB accomplished 28 of 38 passes for 230 yards and one landing as LSU gained its first recreation of the season, 17-10. 

Regardless of the sport being a low-scoring affair, Nussmeier was strong in his season debut. His greatest moments got here throughout an 11-play, 73-yard game-winning drive at first of the fourth quarter.

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: +1200

Jeremiah Smith led Ohio State in receiving yards as a freshman. (Picture by Jason Mowry/Getty Photos)

Smith opened his sophomore season with six catches for 43 yards in Ohio State’s 14-7 win over No. 1-ranked Texas. It was a comparatively quiet outing by his requirements, as he and new beginning quarterback Julian Sayin continued to construct chemistry.

Sayin missed Smith on just a few throws, and Smith recorded a few drops. Nonetheless, with the Buckeyes’ protection main the way in which, a modest exhibiting from Smith was sufficient to assist safe an announcement win.

John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma: +1300

John Mateer transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma for his junior yr. (Picture by Chad  Hamilton/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)

Mateer’s odds skyrocketed after his Oklahoma debut. He had among the finest stat traces of the day, finishing 30 of his 37 passes for 392 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for an additional landing as nicely. 

Mateer’s efficiency got here towards Illinois State, so will probably be telling if this carries into subsequent week towards Michigan.  

Carson Beck, QB, Miami: +1400

Beck transferred from Georgia to Miami previous to the 2025 season for his closing yr of eligibility. His first recreation for the Hurricanes will come towards Notre Dame at 7:30 pm ET on Sunday. 

Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson: +1400

Cade Klubnik led Clemson to the Faculty Soccer Playoff in 2024. (Picture by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)

Klubnik struggled in Clemson’s opening recreation, finishing simply 50% of his move makes an attempt and failing to seek out paydirt by way of the air. He completed with 230 yards passing and an interception within the Tigers’ loss to LSU.

LaNoris Sellers, QB, South Carolina: +1500

Sellers, who is about to embark on his second yr because the Gamecocks’ beginning signal-caller, will lead No. 13 South Carolina towards Virginia Tech at 3 pm ET on Sunday.

Arch Manning, QB, Texas: +1600

After sitting behind Quinn Ewers, Arch Manning is now Texas’s beginning quarterback in his redshirt sophomore season. (Picture by Gregory Shamus/Getty Photos)

Manning had a tricky time towards Ohio State’s stout protection. By means of almost 4 quarters, he accomplished simply 12 of 19 passes for 72 yards and an interception. However with Texas trailing late and in want of a spark, Manning delivered a landing drive to chop the deficit to 1 rating.

The comeback bid in the end fell brief, as Manning completed 17-of-30 for 170 yards, one landing, and one interception in his season debut.

Drew Allar, QB, Penn State: +1800

Drew Allar led Penn State to the CFP semifinals final season. (Picture by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos)

Allar was environment friendly on Saturday, finishing 22 of his 26 passes for 217 yards and a landing in No. 2 Penn State’s 46-11 win over Nevada. He did not ship many spotlight performs, however displayed constant accuracy all through the Nittany Lions’ season opener.

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