Next year's Heisman finalists could be any number of players, but there are a few names that everyone expects to see during the 2025 season. Arch Manning, LaNorris Sellers, Jeremiah Smith, Drew Allar, and Garrett Nussmeier figure to be in the conversation all year long. Could a really dark horse candidate join them? CFB insider Brad Crawford of CBS Sports thinks so.
He said that Blake Horvath, the Navy quarterback, could be a contender, "If you can navigate TV and streaming restrictions and tune in for Navy football this fall, Horvath might be your favorite college football player by season's end. He's part of the reason why Navy is CBS Sports' preseason Group of Five champion and a way-too-early projected playoff pick."
In a rather interesting year, Horvath had 17 rushing and 13 passing touchdowns last year as a quarterback. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry and had 1,254 yards in his first year as the Midshipmen's starter. Horvath is such a mobile quarterback that he typically runs more than passes, which is not exactly someone you'd consider for the Heisman.
However, an early-season run of dominance could put Horvath into the conversation and make good on those who picked him as their long shot Heisman winner. "Expect Navy to be the betting favorite over its first 10 games of the season before traveling to Notre Dame on Nov. 8. That could mark his Heisman moment and the perfect time to cash out if you're holding a Horvath futures ticket," Crawford said.
The Heisman race is fairly wide open right now, with no player really standing head and shoulders above the rest. That doesn't mean a long shot like Horvath is going to enter the race, but it's not hard to see the path for the Navy star. Given the lack of an early, dominant QB being the far-and-away favorite, any player at any position could be a contender, and since Horvath is so unique, that could help his case.