He could take home the crown.
Paul Finebaum Names Surprising College Football QB with a 'Legitimate' Shot at Winning the Heisman originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Heisman Trophy is one of the most prestigious and well-recognized awards in sports. It is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football, and last season it was given to Colorado Buffaloes' do-everything star Travis Hunter.
Traditionally, the award is most often presented to a quarterback. Since 2000, only five non-quarterbacks have won it. This season, the odds favor a quarterback winning the award.
On "The Paul Finebaum Show," the SEC Network analyst mentioned that one quarterback stands out as a legitimate, though less heralded, candidate for the Heisman Trophy this season. That quarterback is Kevin Jennings, the star quarterback for the SMU Mustangs, who had an impressive first season as the starter last year.
"It's legitimate," Finebaum said. "He's a great player. Talking to [SMU head coach Rhett] Lashlee, pretty upbeat on the season. I think to be a Heisman finalist, you have to have great numbers. You have to have big wins. He'll have a chance to have some good wins. They don't have what I would call an absolute marquee game on the schedule."
Finebaum stated that if SMU performs well, Jennings could have the opportunity to stand out in the ACC Championship Game against a team like the Clemson Tigers. Finebaum said that if Jennings plays exceptionally in that game, he may become a finalist for the prestigious award.
Jennings emerged unexpectedly last season after not being the starting quarterback to begin the season. He finished with 3,245 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Additionally, he ran for 354 yards and five touchdowns, leading SMU to an impressive 11-3 season. In the ACC Championship Game, a 34-31 loss to Clemson, Jennings completed 31 of 50 passes for 304 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 35 yards and another score.
Despite a successful season, the young quarterback's finale was disappointing. He passed for 195 yards, with one touchdown and three interceptions, in the Mustangs' 38-10 loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions in the College Football Playoff.
He aims to bounce back this season, building on last year's positives to lead the Mustangs back to the ACC Championship Game and secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Jennings is certainly a long-shot Heisman candidate, at least where oddsmakers are concerned. ESPN BET has him tied for 20th at +6000.
The Mustangs begin their season against East Texas A&M at 9 p.m. ET on Aug. 30.
Related: Heather Dinich Reveals College Football Playoff Team She Wrote Out of Her Bracket
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
