FanDuel Sportsbook released the way-too-early Heisman Trophy odds for the 2024 college football season with the expected front runners at the top. However, two Big 12 quarterbacks listed outside the top-15 players with the best early odds could be considered strong sleeper candidates as the start of spring practice approaches.
Colorado star Shedeur Sanders garnered early buzz during the Buffaloes’ fast start to Year 1 under coach Deion Sanders, but his Heisman Trophy candidacy faced as wins became more elusive in Boulder. Colorado again used the transfer portal to its advantage in an effort to raise the talent level on the roster and made changes to the offensive staff with hopes of capitalizing on Sanders’ talents at quarterback. If those moves pay off, 247Sports prospect evaluator Clint Brewster believes Sanders could be in for a Heisman-caliber season in 2024.
“Shedeur could be the quarterback in college football I’m most sure of to have a great season,” Brewster said. “Obviously the big question is if they can protect him and run the football to help him out, but if they do those two things at a high level then I think he can have a Heisman season. This is because of how consistent he is making decisions. Intellectually as a passer, I don’t know if there’s a better quarterback in college football. The way he sees coverage and the accelerated vision is special. Not to mentioned how he handles a dirty pocket and what he did under duress last year. He’s not the most physically talented quarterback and I think people get caught up with that aspect, but more importantly he processes and knows where to go on every play.”
Sanders completed 69.3% of his passes for 3,230 yards and 27 touchdowns with only three interceptions during the 2023 campaign — his first at Colorado. He ranked top-15 nationally in completion percentage, yards per game and passing touchdowns.
Sanders is listed at +4000 to win the Heisman Trophy in 2024, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Kansas State sophomore Avery Johnson owns the same Heisman Trophy odds as Sanders ahead of his first full season as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback. Johnson ranked as a top-10 passer nationally in the 2023 recruiting class and made two starts for Kansas State last season, including the Pop-Tarts Bowl. He completed 56% of his passes for 479 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions, while rushing for 296 yards and seven scores in eight total games played.
“There’s a reason why Will Howard decided to hit the portal from Kansas State,” Brewster said. “Avery Johnson could be the best dual-threat signal caller in all of college football in the next couple seasons. He didn’t blink when they threw him in this past season for Kansas State and you could tell he had ‘it’ as a leader. He can have Heisman production in 2024 if he continues to mature as a passer and Kansas State uses him with RPO’s, sprint outs, and changing his launch points. Help him minimize risk with the football until he gets comfortable as a passer. Johnson can make magic anytime he touches the ball and there’s nobody with a bigger upside right now at the quarterback position than him.”
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Colorado hosts Kansas State in Week 7. It is the first meeting between the former Big 12 rivals since 2010.
