Eric McAlister (#1) had a fantastic week for TCU (Photo by TCU Athletics)
It’s still too early to have a top five in the race for the Heisman, but we’re getting closer to that. Guys like John Mateer and Haynes King, who’ve been mentioned more than once this season, are making early cases. The 2025 Heisman winner could be someone who no one expects, as this year is more wide open than most.
Eric McAlister, TCU, Wide Receiver, Senior
While McAlister may not necessarily be a Heisman candidate, his huge game for TCU in their victory over SMU is worthy of notoriety. McAlister had a career game and made it count. He had eight catches for 254 yards and three touchdowns in the Horned Frogs’ 35-24 victory. Any more games like this, and McAlister’s name would be heard more in the Heisman conversation.
John Mateer, Oklahoma, Quarterback, Junior
Mateer makes his third appearance in the Heisman Watch in 2025. First was for the opening weekend victory, the second for beating michigan, and this time it’s for a big win over Auburn. John Mateer was 24 of 36 for 271 yards, a passing touchdown, and a rushing touchdown. Mateer was turnover-free for the first game this season, too. If he can continue to take care of the football, he’ll become the Heisman front-runner for 2025. Mateer is 95 of 141 for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns passing, with 190 yards and five more touchdowns rushing. Oklahoma has the week off before hosting Kent State.
Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Quarterback, Senior
King had a modest game in Georgia Tech’s 45-24 win over Temple. He was 13 of 18 for 161 yards and three total touchdowns. On the season King is 46 of 66 for 515 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He has 52 carries for 274 yards and five touchdowns rushing. He’s a great dual-threat quarterback and has missed one of Georgia Tech’s games early. King and Tech visit Wake Forest this week.
Josh Hoover, TCU, Quarterback, Junior.
Hoover and TCU are a better team than most folks know. I’ve had them ranked for a while now, and the biggest reason is how good Josh Hoover has played for them. On Saturday against SMU in the Battle for the Skillet Hoover was 22 of 40 for 379 yards and five touchdowns. McAlister doesn’t have his huge game without Hoover. Hoover is 70 of 103 for 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. TCU plays Arizona State in a pivotal Big 12 game this Friday.
Jeremyiah Love, Notre Dame, Running Back, Junior
Love had his second straight good game for the Irish, and I think they’re going to make him a focal point of the offensive attack moving forward. That would be a smart decision because Love is the kind of player that a team can lean and depend on. They’ll need him to have more games like he did against Purdue to win out this season and get back to the College Football Playoff. Love had 19 carries for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the 56-30 victory. In three games, Love has 52 carries for 284 yards and three touchdowns rushing and has eight catches for 79 yards and a touchdown receiving. Notre Dame plays at Arkansas on Saturday.
