Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams aren’t simply the brand new cowl athletes of the EA Sports activities Faculty Soccer 26 online game; they’re the faces of a brand new period in school soccer. Each are younger, dynamic extensive receivers with NFL-caliber traits and electrical spotlight reels earlier than enjoying a full collegiate season. And now, they’re getting early Heisman buzz. However let’s get into the true query: are both of them really value betting to win the award?
The case for Jeremiah Smith (+900)
The second-year Ohio State Buckeyes wideout enters this season with probably the most hype of any non-quarterback since Reggie Bush or Adrian Peterson. Smith is tied with Cade Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier for the second-shortest odds to win the Heisman at ESPN BET, and Smith has the shortest preseason Heisman odds for a large receiver in over 15 years and shortest for any non-quarterback since 2018 — even shorter than DeVonta Smith in 2020 (DeVonta received the award that yr).
Smith was listed at +1500 to win the award in January, so why has there been a lot steam this far out from the season? For one, he’s constructed like a man meant to play on Sundays, a technician with elite route-running, next-level separation and a aptitude for the dramatic. Smith had a record-setting true freshman marketing campaign at Ohio State, posting 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024, all FBS data for a real freshman.
Nevertheless, it wasn’t simply his stats, it was how he performed, with highlights like a one-handed catch in opposition to Michigan State Spartans, a 60-yard bomb in opposition to Nebraska Cornhuskers, and a double-move that left the Penn State Nittany Lions‘ high nook frozen. Smith delivered a SportsCenter second every week.
The very best-case state of affairs for Smith is for him to develop early chemistry with redshirt freshman QB Julian Sayin, Ohio State going over 10.5 wins (+115) and the Buckeyes returning to the Faculty Soccer Playoff with Smith main the offense. A showdown in opposition to Heisman Trophy favourite Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns within the season opener Aug. 30 provides Smith the chance to shine early. If he does, hiya Heisman discuss.
The one concern is that he’s nonetheless younger in his school profession. Until Sayin performs lights-out in his first season underneath middle, it is onerous to see Smith producing persistently sufficient to beat out a discipline of veteran expertise.
The case for Ryan Williams (+3500)
Williams reclassified to affix the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2024 when he ought to have nonetheless been in highschool. However after a spectacular freshman marketing campaign, right here we’re speaking about Heisman potential. He is clean, polished and has turned heads in Tuscaloosa this offseason. With Kalen DeBoer taking on play calling and making a extra pass-friendly scheme, there is a path to numbers right here.
Smith to win the Heisman feels a bit additional out with Ty Simpson stepping in as quarterback. Simpson has upside, however there’s uncertainty in how shortly Bama’s passing recreation can discover rhythm. The event curve with an inexperienced quarterback tied to a younger receiver issues.
As for the market, it will shift, because it all the time does.
Final yr, Travis Hunter was listed at 50-1 to win the award within the preseason when he graced the duvet of Faculty Soccer 25. Hunter noticed his odds dramatically shorten after Colorado’s Week 4 extra time win over Baylor in September. If both Smith or Williams have a powerful begin to the season, both may see their odds shift in a single day with only one large recreation. The Heisman market is a market that strikes primarily based on moments, not resumes.
The ceilings for each Smith and Williams rely on how effectively their new quarterback performs and the way shortly they modify to working with a first-time starter.
Guess to contemplate
If I needed to place one futures guess as we speak, it is on Smith. In a yr and not using a dominant returning quarterback, the door is open for a shock narrative to emerge but once more. Smith has the expertise, the model and the platform to take residence the Heisman on the finish of the season.
Simply keep in mind, we have seen this film earlier than. Large receivers hardly ever win the Heisman, however Smith has the manufacturing, the highlights and the big-game stage (video games in opposition to Texas, Penn State and Michigan) to interrupt that development. If Ohio State makes a CFP push and he retains stacking performances like final yr, the voters will not be capable to ignore him.
Smith will get a shot to set his Heisman narrative through the first week, whereas Williams may need to attend till presumably Week 4 in opposition to Georgia.
Put together to observe with the percentages display screen pulled up and popcorn in hand.