Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams aren't just the new cover athletes of the EA Sports College Football 26 video game; they're the faces of a new era in college football. Both are young, dynamic wide receivers with NFL-caliber traits and electric highlight reels before playing a full collegiate season. And now, they're getting early Heisman buzz. But let's get into the real question: Is either of them actually worth betting to win the award?
The case for Jeremiah Smith (+900)
The second-year Ohio State Buckeyes wideout enters this season with 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 wide receiver in over 15 years and shortest for any non-quarterback since 2018 -- even shorter than DeVonta Smith in 2020. (DeVonta won the award that year.)
Smith was listed at +1500 to win the award in January, so why has there been so much steam this far out from the season? For one, he is built like a guy meant to play on Sundays, a technician with elite route running, next-level separation and a flair for the dramatic. Smith had a record-setting true freshman campaign at Ohio State, posting 76 catches for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024, all FBS records for a true freshman.
However, it wasn't just his stats, it was how he played, with highlights like a one-handed catch against the Michigan State Spartans, a 60-yard bomb against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and a double move that left the Penn State Nittany Lions' top corner frozen. Smith delivered a "SportsCenter" moment each week.
The best-case scenario 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 College Football Playoff with Smith leading the offense. A showdown against Heisman Trophy favorite Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns in the season opener Aug. 30 gives Smith the opportunity to shine early. If he does, hello Heisman talk.
The only concern is that he is still young in his college career. Unless Sayin plays lights out in his first season under center, it's hard to see Smith producing consistently enough to beat out a field of veteran talent.
The case for Ryan Williams (+3500)
Williams reclassified to join the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2024 when he should have still been in high school. But after a spectacular freshman campaign, here we are talking about Heisman potential. He's smooth, polished and has turned heads in Tuscaloosa this offseason. With Kalen DeBoer taking over playcalling and creating a more pass-friendly scheme, there's a path to numbers here.
Smith to win the Heisman feels a little further out with Ty Simpson stepping in as quarterback. Simpson has upside, but there's uncertainty in how quickly Bama's passing game can find rhythm. The development curve with an inexperienced quarterback tied to a young receiver matters.
As for the market, it's going to shift, as it always does.
Last year, Travis Hunter was listed at 50-1 to win the award in the preseason when he graced the cover of College Football 25. Hunter saw his odds dramatically shorten after Colorado's Week 4 overtime win over Baylor in September. If either Smith or Williams has a strong start to the season, either could see their odds shift overnight with just one big game. The Heisman market is a market that moves based on moments, not resumes.
The ceilings for Smith and Williams depend on how well their new quarterback plays and how quickly they adjust to working with a first-time starter.
Bet to consider
If I had to place one futures bet today, it's on Smith. In a year without a dominant returning quarterback, the door is open for a surprise narrative to emerge yet again. Smith has the talent, the brand and the platform to take home the Heisman at the end of the season.
Just remember, we've seen this movie before. Wide receivers rarely win the Heisman, but Smith has the production, the highlights and the big-game stage (games against Texas, Penn State and Michigan) to break that trend. If Ohio State makes a CFP push and he keeps stacking performances like last year, the voters won't be able to ignore him.
Smith gets a shot to set his Heisman narrative during the first week, while Williams might have to wait until possibly Week 4 against Georgia.
Prepare to watch with the odds screen pulled up and popcorn in hand.