
- Bovada has updated 2019 Heisman Trophy odds with college football season just months away
- Georgia’s D’Andre Swift (+1700) and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor (+1700) are the running backs with the best chance to win the award
- Clemson’s Travis Etienne (+1900) and Alabama’s Najee Harris (+2800) are also in the running, but may be overshadowed by their quarterbacks
I’m not going to lie to you. The odds on who will win the 2019 Heisman Trophy have barely moved since we last checked in a month ago. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence (+250) and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa (+250) are still prohibitive favorites to strike the Heisman pose at season’s end.
So, rather than discuss Tuscaloosa’s dual-threat QB, the Tigers’ young golden-haired Adonis, or the terrific transfers that are currently spectacular values — Justin Fields (+1100) and Jalen Hurts (+1200) -– I’ll instead focus my attention on the four running backs who are facing long odds to win the Heisman.
Let’s check the current odds at Bovada:
2019 NCAA Heisman Trophy
Winner | Odds to Win 2019 Heisman Trophy at Bovada |
---|---|
Trevor Lawrence (QB Clemson) | +250 |
Tua Tagovailoa (QB Alabama) | +250 |
Justin Fields (QB Ohio State) | +1100 |
Adrian Martinez (QB Nebraska) | +1200 |
Jalen Hurts (QB Oklahoma) | +1200 |
D’Andre Swift (RB Georgia) | +1700 |
Jonathan Taylor (RB Wisconsin) | +1700 |
Jake Fromm (QB Georgia) | +1800 |
Ian Book (QB Notre Dame) | +1900 |
Travis Etienne (RB Clemson) | +1900 |
Justin Herbert (QB Oregon) | +2200 |
Sam Ehlinger (QB Texas) | +2300 |
Najee Harris (RB Alabama) | +2800 |
Jerry Jeudy (WR Alabama) | +3000 |
Shea Patterson (QB Michigan) | +3000 |
Austin Kendall (QB West Virginia) | +3500 |
Tee Higgins (WR Clemson) | +3500 |
*Odds taken on 05/23/19
Najee Harris (+2800)
Before putting money down on any back, keep in mind that only three non-QBs have struck the Heisman pose since the year 2000: Reggie Bush (2005, since vacated), Mark Ingram (2009), and Derrick Henry (2015).
Considering the last two Heisman-winning RBs played for the Crimson Tide, Harris would seem to be in the pole position after averaging a team-leading 6.7 yards per carry last season. However, while his former backfield mates Josh Jacobs (Raiders) and Damien Harris (Patriots) are now in the NFL, the five-star athlete now has to fend off bulldozing Brian Robinson Jr. for carries.
We all know about Najee Harris, but Brian Robinson will be a name to watch in Alabama’s backfield in 2019. #RollTide https://t.co/iB6NYznd4s
— Saturday Blitz (@SaturdayBlitz) May 18, 2019
Travis Etienne (+1900)
Already projected as a first rounder in Todd McShay’s way-too-early 2020 NFL mock draft, Etienne shattered Clemson records in rushing yards (1,658) and rushing touchdowns (24) in his sophomore year, but one would assume the reigning ACC Player of the Year might see less work as Lawrence continues to improve.
Jonathan Taylor (+1700)
Also squarely on the radar of NFL draftniks is Taylor, who followed up his freshman season (1,977 rushing yards) by leading the FBS in rushing (2,194 yards) and scoring 16 TDs. Entering his junior year, the Big Ten’s best back should hit the ground running after moonlighting on the Badgers’ track team this spring.
After running for more than 2,000 yards as a sophomore, Jonathan Taylor has joined Wisconsin’s track team for the spring stretch run https://t.co/o6ASDjDTuB
— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) May 15, 2019
D’Andre Swift (+1700)
Swift has a few things going for him. First, he has an extremely on point name for a running back. Second, the Bulldogs have a history of producing stud NFL runners; the most recent two being the guys (Nick Chubb and Sony Michel) that he played behind as a freshman. And last but not least, Saquon Barkley is a big fan.
SHEESH @DAndreSwift https://t.co/acDLklfXXg
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) May 4, 2019
“That guy is special,” said the Giants star running back on ESPN. “He can do it all. He can catch it out of the backfield. He is strong, he is powerful, he has speed. He is going to be a top 5, top 10 pick in a couple years. I am telling you.”
Game knows game. If you feel like living dangerously and placing a Heisman bet on a RB, put your money on the 5-foot-9, 215-pound dynamo.