LSU's Nussmeier, OSU's Smith Lead Heisman Race

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, following a record-setting 4,000-yard junior season, enters his senior year as a leading Heisman Trophy contender but has faced minor injury concerns with patella tendinitis, which head coach Brian Kelly has downplayed. LSU boasts significant depth at wide receiver, defensive secondary, and quarterback, with Michael Van Buren as a backup, contributing to their preseason Top 10 ranking. The team's College Football Playoff aspirations are closely tied to Nussmeier's health, as analysts regard him as a key figure. ESPN’s Louis Riddick and Jordan Rodgers have both predicted Nussmeier as a Heisman frontrunner, while ESPN's Heather Dinich favors Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith for the award. Smith’s candidacy is based on his standout freshman season and impact in the College Football Playoff. Recent injury rumors about Nussmeier have largely been dispelled, fueling optimism for LSU’s 2025 season.