Key Points:
- Robert Griffin III named Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King his new Heisman front-runner.
- King has led the Yellow Jackets to an 8-0 record this season.
- Despite Griffin’s praise, ESPN Bet gives King long-shot Heisman odds at +3000.
Robert Griffin III won the Heisman Trophy in 2011 for the Baylor Bears. After eight seasons in the NFL and one Pro Bowl selection, he remains close to the sport, now serving as a college football analyst for Fox Sports.
On Dec. 8, the 2025 Heisman finalists will be announced, and five days later, on Dec. 13, the winner will be revealed. As a former winner himself, Griffin knows what it takes to win college football’s most prestigious award.
Before Week 10 of the college football season, via an X post, Griffin revealed an updated list of his top five Heisman front-runners.
At No. 1 was Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King, followed by Ohio State Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin, Alabama Crimson Tide QB Ty Simpson, Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza and BYU Cougars QB Bear Bachmeier in that order.
It’s a jump for King, who had Griffin at No. 5 in his post-Week 8 rankings.
Haynes King’s Heisman Trophy Résumé
In eight games this season, he’s led the Yellow Jackets to a perfect 8-0 record. King has completed 113-of-184 passes for 1,480 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception with a 151.3 passer rating. He’s also rushed for 651 yards and 12 touchdowns, showcasing dual-threat ability.
Georgia Tech is one of just six undefeated FBS teams this late into the season. The program is in a position to win the ACC for the first time since 2009 and compete for its first national championship since 1990.
King is coming off one of his best performances of the year in the Yellow Jackets’ 41-16 win over the Syracuse Orange. He threw for 304 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries.
If Griffin’s list becomes a reality, then King would make history as Georgia Tech’s first Heisman Trophy winner. They’ve had two runners-up, though, with quarterback Billy Lothridge in 1963 and quarterback Joe Hamilton in 1999.
The Road Ahead For Haynes King and Georgia Tech
King has four more regular-season games to make his case for the Heisman. That includes a Week 14 matchup against the Georgia Bulldogs, who are currently ranked No. 5 on the AP Top 25 Poll.
As of now, Griffin placing King as the front-runner is a bit of a long shot. ESPN Bet gives him just the eighth-best odds (+3000) of winning the Heisman Trophy.
His next challenge is against the NC State Wolfpack on Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Carter-Finley Stadium.