2024 Heisman Odds: SEC Quarterbacks Drawing Most Betting Eyes

The Washington Huskies and Michigan Wolverines are the only teams still focused on the 2023-24 college football season as the two collide for the national championship on January 8. The rest of the country is focusing on building 2024-25 rosters. Most notable transfer portal moves are behind us and key players are beginning to make NFL Draft decisions.

This has made the 2024 Heisman race a bit more clear. In fact, FanDuel Sportsbook's Heisman odds are live for next season. As usual, the contenders are headlined with quarterbacks and several transfers could be in the mix. Let's check out the early 2024 Heisman favorites followed by a breakdown for some of the most notable players.

Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas (+750)

Three potential returning quarterbacks on contending teams are at the top of the Heisman race. Since sustaining a mid-season injury, rumors have swirled that Texas' Quinn Ewers could return for his fourth season. As of January 4, Ewers has yet to announce his NFL Draft decision, but a return seems imminent with his draft stock sitting outside of the first round.

Ewers certainly has first-round upside as the former No. 1 recruit in the 2021 recruiting class. He could be looking to prove just that next season. Of course, the Longhorns fell to Washington in the playoffs, giving Ewers possibly even more motivation to return.

Per FanDuel's college football national championship odds, Texas has the fourth-shortest odds to win the 2024-25 national championship (+850). If Ewers returns, he should be right in the middle of the Heisman conversation. Remember, he drew Heisman hype after torching Alabama early in the 2023 season.

Carson Beck, QB, Georgia (+750)

Georgia's Carson Beck has already made his decision, declaring in December that he will return for the 2024 season. Beck excelled in his first season starting with 3,941 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. For comparison, Stetson Bennett totaled 4,128 passing yards and 27 touchdowns in the 2022 season.

The Bulldogs' QB play barely dropped in the 2023 season. With his first year of experience under his belt, Beck could be poised for a Heisman campaign. His biggest challenge could be throwing to new targets as 2023's leading target Brock Bowers (714 yards) is headed to the NFL.

Beck seems to be the popular pick thus far as his line opened at +850 and quickly dropped to +750. The returning QB for 2024-25's national championship favorite (+400) certainly has tons of Heisman upside.

Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama (+750)

The final returning quarterback among the top three favorites is Alabama's Jalen Milroe. This is another signal-caller that tasted bitter defeat in the College Football Playoff. Milroe will likely see visions of his failed fourth-down attempt in overtime against Michigan for the entire offseason.

Similar to Ewers, Milroe is draft eligible and has yet to announce his decision. After his up-and-down 2023 season, returning for another season could be wise. Milroe was even benched at one point early in the season. After posting 1,217 passing yards, 389 rushing yards, and 17 total touchdowns in the final six games of the regular season, Milroe certainly flashed his potential.

If the Crimson Tide's QB comes back for a fourth season, Alabama figures to be in the national title picture (+550).

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon (+1000)

This is where the list gets interesting as we look at some of the sleeper picks. After Oregon's Bo Nix was a 2023 Heisman finalist, the Ducks landed 2 of 247 Sports' top 10 QBs in the transfer portal. Dillon Gabriel -- who has four years of starting experience with UCF and Oklahoma -- is the favorite to start in the 2024-25 season. Oregon also added Dante Moore -- a former five-star recruit.

If Moore wins the starting job, his +6000 Heisman odds will surely take a big drop. For now, Gabriel seems in line to start.

We certainly know the Ducks' offense has enough volume for a Heisman QB as we saw with Nix's past two seasons. Plus, Oregon's second-leading receiver Tez Johnson (1,182 yards) is returning for another season.

Gabriel has put up gaudy numbers throughout his career, including 3 seasons with over 3,500 passing yards and 2 seasons with at least 30 passing touchdowns.

Will Howard, QB, Ohio State (+1500)

The Big Ten's early Heisman contenders are clear. Remember, Oregon is headed to the Big Ten next season, and Ohio State landed the transfer portal's sixth-best quarterback in Will Howard from Kansas State.

After committing to the Buckeyes, Howard has seen his Heisman line consistently shift. The line opened at +1800 and dropped to +1400 following his commitment. It's back up to +1500 as of Friday afternoon.

OSU has featured a Heisman finalist in three consecutive seasons and five of the last six seasons. Howard could be the next in line. There's a decent chance that the Buckeyes return key skill position players such as running back TreVeyon Henderson and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka.

Howard has not reached Heisman level numbers as his career-high stats for one season are 2,643 passing yards and 24 passing touchdowns. Will the Kansas State transfer become a legit Heisman option after joining the Buckeyes?

Others

With the 2024 season far out, there are plenty of viable Heisman candidates at this point. Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava (+1500) and Oklahoma's Jackson Arnold (+1800) are expected to be first-time starting QBs next season. Both players were five-star prospects coming out of the 2023 class. Iamaleava has seen his Heisman odds slightly drop since they opened; he started at +1800 and now sits at +1500.

Michigan's QB J.J. McCarthy and Ole Miss' QB Jackson Dart could also be names to watch at +2000. Of course, McCarthy's odds would likely sharply drop if he were to return for a fourth season. His performance in Monday's national championship should have a big impact. The Rebels are gearing up for a big 2024 season, and Dart has his leading receiver Tre Harris (985 yards) returning.

As usual, this is gearing up to be a competition between quarterbacks. Georgia's running back Trevor Etienne -- the Florida Transfer -- and running back Quinshon Judkins, who entered the transfer portal on January 4, have the shortest odds for non-QBs at +6000. Arizona's standout wide receiver Tatairoa McMillan, who recorded 1,402 yards in the 2023 season, has the shortest Heisman odds among wideouts (+7500).

The SEC could have its fifth Heisman winner over a six-year stretch as six SEC QBs are among the top eight shortest lines, including the top three favorites in Ewers, Beck, and Milroe.

Check out more college football betting odds at FanDuel Sportsbook.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.