Welcome to Club Heisman: Mark Ingram, Matt Leinart Reveal Favorites, Sleepers

Published: Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 5:23 pm

Club Heisman Weighs In on Early Heisman Contenders

"Club Heisman," featuring former Heisman Trophy winners Matt Leinart and Mark Ingram, has returned to analyze the early frontrunners and potential sleepers in the race for college football's most prestigious individual award. During their segment on "Big Noon Kickoff," the duo offered their insights on the players to watch as the season progresses.

Ingram kicked off the discussion by naming LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier as his early favorite. Ingram highlighted Nussmeier's performance in a Week 1 victory, emphasizing his composure and ability to lead his team to a win. Ingram believes that if Nussmeier continues to play at this level, he will be a strong contender for the Heisman.

Leinart took a different approach, selecting Utah quarterback Devon Dampier as his pick. Leinart compared Dampier to Kyler Murray, citing his athleticism and potential to lead Utah to the College Football Playoff. Leinart believes Dampier is a player to watch closely throughout the season.

Both analysts also identified several "sleeper" candidates. Ingram spotlighted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, emphasizing the importance of his performance for the Nittany Lions' season. Leinart mentioned Bryce Underwood and John Mateer, highlighting their potential and the opportunity to compete for the Heisman. Leinart noted that both quarterbacks are at their respective schools with the goal of reaching the College Football Playoff and winning the Heisman.

Ingram also gave a nod to non-quarterback players, mentioning Jeremiah Smith and Jeremiyah Love as players to keep an eye on.

BNN's Perspective:

The Heisman race is always an exciting storyline in college football, and it's interesting to see the different perspectives of former winners. While early predictions are always speculative, the insights provided by Leinart and Ingram offer a valuable look at the players who are making an early impact. The emphasis on both quarterbacks and skill-position players suggests a diverse field of potential contenders, making for a compelling season ahead.

Keywords: Heisman Trophy, Garrett Nussmeier, Devon Dampier, Drew Allar, Bryce Underwood, John Mateer, Mark Ingram, Matt Leinart, College Football, LSU, Utah, Penn State, Quarterback, Sleeper, Jeremiah Smith, Jeremiyah Love

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