Pete Thamel Names Big 12 Quarterback That Is ‘Odds On Favorite’ For Heisman Trophy

The Heisman trophy went to former LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels last season. The previous three Heisman winners have all been quarterbacks, and Pete Thamel does not see that changing in 2024.

On Friday's episode of the College GameDay Podcast , Thamel named his pick for the "odds on favorite" to win the award this season out of the Big 12. Joking or not, Thamel noted that Kansas State Wildcats QB Avery Johnson is the odds-on favorite to win the award out of the Big 12 after only starting one game last season.

Kansas State has come close in the past but has never had a Heisman winner. Collin Klein was the last Kansas State player to get close, finishing third in Heisman voting in 2012.

"...We haven't talked about K-State yet, right? Avery Johnson has started one game, and he's the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman in the league," Thamel said. "That speaks to the electricity, promise, and potential that he brings at quarterback there."

Johnson also saw time as a starter against the TCU Horned Frogs last season. The Kansas State QB had 90 yards passing, 73 yards rushing, and one touchdown.

He played in eight games last year, making one start in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against the NC State Wolfpack. He had 178 passing yards, 71 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns in the bowl win.

Johnson finished the 2023 season with 479 passing yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions. He also had 296 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

One of Johnson's highlights from last year was his performance against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. Johnson had five rushing touchdowns in the second half. His efforts earned him the honor of National True Freshman of the Week from 247Sports and On3 Sports.

Johnson's other accolades last year included Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, Pop-Tarts Bowl MVP, and Honorable Mention Big 12 Offensive Freshman of the Year.

Even though the media highly regard Johnson, it is interesting that Thamel did not name any other stars from the Big 12. Thamel did not mention Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, or Ollie Gordon.

Sanders had 3,230 passing yards with 27 touchdowns and three interceptions last season. He also had four rushing touchdowns. Hunter recorded 30 total tackles, two tackles for loss, and three interceptions. Hunter was also second on the team with 721 receiving yards for the Colorado Buffaloes in 2023.

The fact that Gordon did not have a shoutout was even weirder. Gordon led college football last season with 1,732 rushing yards for the Oklahoma State Cowboys.

Johnson has the potential, but Thamel could have named many players from the Big 12.

Related: Pete Thamel Names Big 12 Program With Top Five Wide Receiver Room In College Football