Miami, Florida – The Lemon City Live Heisman Watchlist is back for another season filled with expectations, success stories, surprises, and upsets. Two-way player Travis Hunter won last year’s award, becoming the first Heisman winner drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Selected with the second overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Hunter is the fourth consecutive Heisman winner chosen among the top 2 picks and the eighth straight winner drafted in the top 10. Historically, the Heisman Trophy has mostly gone to either a quarterback or a running back, but there have been outliers.
Tight Ends (Larry Kelley and Leon Hart) have won it, and so have wide receivers, as Hunter is the fourth, joining Tim Brown, Desmond Howard, and DeVonta Smith. He’s technically the first defensive back to win the trophy since Charles Woodson. The rules remain the same. All positions will be open to consideration, although you can count on this list being overwhelmingly dominated by quarterbacks. Are you ready for the chaos of the Heisman race? Here we go.
John Mateer
Johnny on the spot 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ALozylc7oC
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) September 21, 2025
Coming in at number one is the red-shirt junior from the Oklahoma Sooners. John Mateer tops the list because of his dual-threat ability and athleticism. Mateer has thus far produced 1,215 passing yards, including six touchdowns and three interceptions. As mentioned, he doesn’t just stand in the pocket. The Washington State transfer has also rushed for 190 yards and dashed his way into the endzone five times. His fortunes have taken an unexpected turn when it was announced that he suffered an injury to his right hand during the first quarter of last Saturday’s game versus Auburn. Although he stayed in, Mateer required surgery and will be out for at least three weeks. His hold on the top spot is acutely tentative.
Carson Beck
Carson Beck is a great QB, actually. pic.twitter.com/e5xpgz0e8I
— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) September 17, 2025
If you told me back then that this young man was going to play for The U, I would’ve been highly skeptical. Coach Mario Cristobal proved me wrong. Carson Beck is off to a good start to the season despite throwing interceptions for two consecutive games. Accumulating 972 yards, seven TDs, and three picks, the former Georgia Bulldog had significantly improved his draft stock heading into week four. However, he suffered his worst game of the season against the Florida Gators. Completing 17 of 30 passes, the red-shirt senior was held to 160 yards and was intercepted. He already threw two INTs versus South Florida, although his 340-yard and three TD performance can overlook that. He’s on a bye week with the next game at Florida State.
Garrett Nussmeier
A Garrett Nussmeier DOT for the first TD of the game 🔥
➡️ Watch now on ABC and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/pofRQA6Z2O
— ESPN (@espn) September 14, 2025
Another familiar face returns to this year’s list. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier checks in at 962 yards, six TDs, and two interceptions. Nussmeier has been steady through four games, which includes a season opener win over Clemson. Garrett’s first true test will be against Ole Miss in a matchup that the Rebels are favored to win. With one QB hurt and the other on bye, Nussmeier has a great but difficult opportunity to move up in the race.
Marcel Reed
TEXAS A&M TAKES THE LEAD WITH 13 SECONDS LEFT🤯
(via NBC)
pic.twitter.com/DHjLLXiEjv— On3 (@On3sports) September 14, 2025
This is where the list got difficult for me. For the fourth slot, I settled on Marcel Reed. The Texas A&M signal caller has manufactured 869 yards, 9 TDs, and an interception with a notable win at Notre Dame, where he threw for 360 yards, two touchdowns, and a pick. He also has 142 rushing yards and a TD. Despite having three guys ahead of him, it’s still fairly early in the season. Key games for many teams will be occurring in the next couple of weeks, and Reed stands to move on up.
Joey Aguilar
Joey Aguilar might be the best passer in the country
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) September 20, 2025
I agonized over the final spot. Joey Aguilar beat out Jeremiah Smith, Jeremiyah Love, and Julian Sayin in a closely fought battle. Aguilar, statistically speaking, has found the most success churning out 1,124 yards, 12 TDs, and a trio of interceptions. That’s not a bad ratio. Joey torched Syracuse and played great against then number six Georgia, losing by a field goal in overtime. Out of everyone here, he has the most upside in the short term and can find himself cracking into the top three in the next edition.
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