The Heisman Trophy has been handed out annually since 1935 to recognize the nation’s most outstanding college football player. Lately, guessing the winner or even the finalists before the season starts has been an exercise in futility.
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In the last few years we’ve seen guys completely off the national radar go on to win the Heisman Trophy. Each one of the last four winners—Cam Newton (2010), Robert Griffin III (2011), Johnny Manziel (2012) and Winston—were completely off the Heisman radar when the season began.
So, it shouldn’t be surprising that a name none of the college football world was banking on has become a Vegas favorite. Yes, we’re talking Johnny Manziel’s replacement at Texas A&M—Kenny Hill.
According to Bleacher Report’s Adam Kramer, Hill has the same odds of winning the trophy as last year’s winner, Jameis Winston:
Kenny Hill now has the same odds to win the Heisman as Jameis Winston (15/2) on Bovada. Just like we all predicted.
— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) September 10, 2014
Hill had a breakout game in the Aggies’ surprising beat down of South Carolina on the road, throwing for 511 yards and three touchdowns while completing 73.3 percent of his passes. Last week against Rice, Hill completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 283 yards and four touchdowns.
That’s seven touchdowns and no interceptions with 793 yards, while also completing 70 percent of his passes early on in the season.
Of course there’s a long way to go in the season and plenty of SEC football left for Hill to prove himself against, but the fantastic start certainly could help him stay in the conversation longer.