Brad Crawford Picks Two Ohio State Heisman Contenders

Ohio State’s Heisman Hopefuls

Brad Crawford of 247Sports highlighted two Buckeyes as realistic Heisman candidates. Quarterback Julian Sayin has been among the top preseason odds and currently sits in the top four or five on most sportsbooks. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is viewed as a potential elite player, but the historic bias against non‑quarterbacks makes the bronze statue a steep climb for him.

Both players were singled out in Crawford’s preseason betting list, which is separate from the official odds posted by the books. Their inclusion signals that Ohio State is positioning itself as a contender for another representative in New York. The fact that a receiver appears on the list underscores how highly Smith is regarded by analysts.

Other Top Heisman Candidates

Crawford also named four players from different programs as potential Heisman winners. Notre Dame’s quarterback C.J. Carr, Texas’s gunslinger Arch Manning, Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss, and Miami’s Darian Mensah round out the six‑player set. All are quarterbacks except for Smith, making the list a study in conventional expectations. Crawford emphasized that these picks reflect genuine chances, not just sportsbook favorites.

The six‑player outlook will serve as a preseason benchmark as the season approaches. Analysts will watch whether Sayin can maintain his high placement in the odds and whether Smith can overcome the non‑quarterback barrier. The narrative around this group will evolve as games are played and statistics accumulate.