B/R's 2025 Heisman Trophy Rankings after Week 8

The double-edged sword of marquee games is the influence—or, perhaps more accurately, influences—of the result.

In the Heisman Trophy race specifically, key moments are critical.

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton, for example, put up monster numbers in a dramatic win over a highly ranked Ole Miss team. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love destroyed USC in a Top 25 triumph, and Alabama QB Ty Simpson padded his résumé in a Top 25 victory over rival Tennessee.

Voters love their Heisman moments, and it doesn't get much better for contenders than thriving in a marquee game.

The tiers are subjective, yet based on historical voting trends, such as individual production and team success.

Brendan Sorsby, QB, Cincinnati

It's about time we bring in Brendan Sorsby, who's quietly helped the Bearcats roar to six straight wins. He's thrown for 1,718 yards and 17 scores to one interception, rushing for 340 yards and six touchdowns. He doesn't yet have a marquee game to spear his candidacy, but this production is impressive.

Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech jumped to 7-0 with a 27-18 victory at Duke. Haynes King passed for 205 yards, scampered for 120 and notched his 10th rushing touchdown of the year. As long as Tech keeps winning, he will linger in the conversation.

Carson Beck, QB, Miami

In the 24-21 loss to Louisville, that was an atrocious performance from Carson Beck. He threw four interceptions and actively cost the 'Canes a win. Let's also not forget the praises of his performance against Notre Dame and more so opposite Florida State. He is facing an uphill climb, for sure.

CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame

The present and the future of Notre Dame football is in good hands. CJ Carr is developing in a hurry, and he's guided the Fighting Irish to five consecutive wins. Relative to this award, however, he doesn't have a signature moment—and ND's remaining schedule doesn't exactly lend itself toward one.

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

The same outlook from Week 7 applies here: Jeremiah Smith is awesome. He's the best receiver in the country. Again, though, after catching nine passes for 97 yards in a rout of Wisconsin, he's more dominating the tape than making an undeniable charge at winning the Heisman Trophy.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

Carr and Jeremiyah Love flipped tiers in this week's update because the latter put together an electric performance in a Top 25 victory over USC. Love torched the Trojans for 228 yards on the ground, caught five passes for 37 yards and scored once. He is set to surpass 1,000 scrimmage yards when Notre Dame returns to the field at Boston College in November.

Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss

Following a shaky performance in a win over Washington State, Trinidad Chambliss had a resurgent game against Georgia. Unfortunately for the Rebels, they came up short in a 43-35 loss as the offense went cold in the fourth quarter. Still, he totaled 305 yards and three touchdowns against one of the nation's top teams. That's not an embarrassing day. Ole Miss heads to Oklahoma this week.

Diego Pavia, QB, Vanderbilt

"Vanderbilt" and "serious CFP contender" residing in the same sentence without "is not a" being part of the connection is both bewildering and a major testament to Diego Pavia's impact. He just collected 246 yards and three touchdowns as Vandy toppled LSU and improved to 6-1. The Commodores host Missouri in Week 9.

Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia

To paraphrase Michael Corleone from The Godfather: Just when I thought I was out, Gunner Stockton pulls me back in. He threw for 289 yards, rushed for 59 yards and totaled five touchdowns in Georgia's key victory over Ole Miss. His résumé now boasts two huge performances in Top 25 triumphs as UGA takes a rest before meeting rival Florida to open November.

Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Also heading into an idle weekend, Julian Sayin has demanded a serious place in the Heisman discussion. During the 34-0 win at Wisconsin, he hit 36-of-42 throws for 393 yards and four touchdowns. He has amassed 1,872 yards and 19 scores to only three interceptions this season, steering the Buckeyes to a 7-0 start and rock-solid spot at No. 1 in the country.

Dante Moore, QB, Oregon

Dante Moore assembled a bounce-back showing in a 56-10 demolition of Rutgers. Though the recent loss to Indiana stung, Moore did not allow that setback to linger as he passed for 290 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. Oregon hosts Wisconsin this Saturday prior to an idle weekend.

Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M

Arkansas hung around, but Texas A&M pulled away behind Marcel Reed's strong performance. The dynamic QB threw for 280 yards, ran for 55 and totaled four touchdowns while the Aggies rose to 7-0. They travel to LSU in Week 9.

Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

Alabama picked up a rivalry win over Tennessee, recording its fourth victory in a row against a ranked opponent. Ty Simpson passed for 253 yards and two scores, continuing his streak of tossing multiple touchdowns in every game so far. The Crimson Tide head to South Carolina this weekend.

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Indiana made quick work of Michigan State behind yet another great showing from Fernando Mendoza. He completed 24-of-28 attempts for 332 yards and four touchdowns, and he now co-leads the nation with 21 passing scores. Indiana is set to host UCLA, which carries a three-game win streak into Bloomington.