Arch Manning entered the 2025 college football season riding a huge wave of Heisman hype. The Texas QB got Paul Finebaum hyping him as the best college QB since Tim Tebow, and sportsbooks making him the top betting choice. But after just two weeks, things haven’t quite gone as planned. Manning’s debut ended in a tough 14-7 loss. His numbers, 17 completions on 30 attempts, 170 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, looked modest. Former Heisman winner and ESPN analyst Desmond Howard openly called the preseason hype “unwarranted,” saying Manning didn’t deserve Heisman talk after that outing.

Manning did bounce back in Week 2 with a strong 295-yard, four-touchdown game versus San Jose State, but there were still signs of inconsistency. That inconsistency became a blessing in disguise for Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, with 516 passing yards in his career. Sayin quietly took full advantage of the slip in Manning’s form. While Arch struggled to find a consistent rhythm in the opener, underthrowing passes and throwing a costly interception, Sayin played the game like a poised rookie superstar. That performance quickly flipped the script and shifted the Heisman conversation.

He completed 13 of 20 passes for 126 yards and one touchdown. He showed impressive poise for someone facing the nation’s top-ranked defense. That touchdown pass to Carnell Tate was a perfect example of high-level quarterbacking. Sayin rolled out under heavy pressure with a fast-charging defender in his face and still managed to spot Tate on a comeback route inside the red zone. The accuracy and timing needed for that moment? That’s NFL-caliber stuff. Tate, one of the Buckeyes’ star wide receivers, called Sayin “crazy accurate” and praised his quick release. Tate said Sayin “could tell off his fingers” where the ball would be.

“The ability to recognize what the defense was doing on the two Jeremiah Smith touchdowns,” Birm added. “He’s just doing things at a very high level, and if that rise, if that ascension is extrapolated, like, there’s no reason to think by the time Ohio State’s getting ready to play Penn State, Julian Sayin isn’t going to be in the conversation as a Heisman favorite at that point.” Sayin’s ability to read defenses showed off big time on the two touchdown passes to Jeremiah Smith in Ohio State’s dominant 70-0 win over Grambling State. The first was an 87-yard bomb down the sideline where Sayin delivered a perfect throw. It let Smith use his speed and route-running to sprint away for a historic touchdown.

Smith’s second touchdown, while less flashy, showed that Sayin’s consistent chemistry with his top receiver can wear down defenses. Coach Ryan Day and offensive line praise also reflect how well Sayin controls the offense. Left tackle Austin Siereveld said Sayin “really stepped up.” And he is making their offense flow smoothly with smart reads and quick decisions. Meanwhile, Manning threw for 170 yards but struggled to convert late red-zone chances, even coming up short on a QB sneak and missing the end-zone target on a key fourth-and-3. Experts and insiders believe that if this growth continues, by the time Ohio State prepares for heavyweight Penn State, Julian Sayin won’t just be a rising star but a legit Heisman Trophy contender.

The usual suspects of the Heisman race

With Julian Sayin quietly climbing in the Heisman conversation and starting to overshadow Arch Manning, the 2025 race is shaping up to be far more interesting than anyone expected. Manning may have opened as the favorite early on. But with just 95 career pass attempts coming into the season, many are realizing there’s still plenty to prove. And now Sayin is proving he’s no one-trick pony. Especially when supported by Ohio State’s electric receiving corps featuring guys like Jeremiah Smith.

Smith not only dominates on the field but is a legit Heisman candidate in his own right at +1200 odds. The Buckeyes’ duo puts serious weaponry in play for Sayin’s potential rocket ride this year. Then there’s LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, who sit just behind Manning. Penn State’s Drew Allar and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers also lurk with dual-threat skills that voters love. Don’t forget about some emerging dark horses who could crash the party.

Dante Moore at Oregon, a former UCLA starter, looks ready to break out in a system that loves its QBs. Then there’s John Mateer. He electrified fans at Washington State before transferring to Oklahoma, bringing a flashy dual-threat style to the Big 12. On the running back side, Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame is quietly putting together a push to be the first running back since Derrick Henry to claim the trophy. And especially if the Fighting Irish contend for a title.