Nico Iamaleava Transfer Affects On Heisman Trophy Betting Odds, Jayden Maiava

The NCAA Transfer Portal opened on April 16. One of the biggest storylines has been Tennessee Volunteers transfer quarterback Nico Iamaleava entering the portal due to an NIL dispute. Iamaleava transferred to the UCLA Bruins.

With Iamaleava transferring to UCLA, the 2025 Heisman Trophy odds have shifted. Iamaleava’s odds to win the Heisman drastically lowered. In January, Iamaleava had +1100 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook to win the trophy. His odds of winning the trophy at UCLA are +8000.

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) exits the field after the game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. | Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in 2025 are LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier and Texas quarterback Arch Manning. Both are tied with +800 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Nussmeier passed for 4,052 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2025. He is entering his final year with LSU, also projected to be a top draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Manning is taking over as the starter this season with Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers off to the 2025 NFL Draft. There are high hopes for Manning 2025, and he has a high probability of winning the Heisman. There is also a belief that he will be a high draft pick after just one season starting.

Texas Longhorns quarterback, Arch Manning during his first practice of the spring season on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. | Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

At No. 3 to win the Heisman in 2025 is Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik with +1000 odds. Klubnick’s odds have greatly risen because Iamaleava transferred. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is close behind at No. 4 with +1200 odds. Also in the top five odds is Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. Sayin has +1300 odds, despite not officially being named the 2025 starter.

USC Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava is the expected starter for the 2025 season and has higher odds to win the Heisman Trophy than Iamaleava. Maiva has +5000 odds to win the trophy on FanDuel Sportsbook.

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Maiava is entering his second season with the USC Trojans after transferring from UNLV following the 2023 season. He finished the 2024 season with 1,201 passing yards and 11 touchdowns. He also had four rushing touchdowns.

Maiava earned his first start with the Trojans against the Nebraska Cornhuskers as USC coach Lincoln Riley decided to bench quarterback Miller Moss. Moss transferred to Louisville and has +3500 odds to win the Heisman.

Maiava is competing for the starting position with five-star recruit Husan Longstreet. Maiava has been the projected starter with more experience and understanding of the offense. Riley added more reason to believe that Maiava will be the starter when speaking to the media.

Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) throws the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“Jayden’s clearly the No. 1 quarterback right now, which is not surprising at all,” Riley said.

“He’s been really good in the situational drives and moments that we’ve put him in. He’s just gaining momentum and gaining steam. He’s getting better quickly, and you can see the sense of urgency and work he has behind it right now,” Riley continued.

Maiava discussed the quarterback room during spring practices. Longstreet is an early enrollee, giving the two the chance to work together and compete for the spot.

“We compete every single day," Maiava said. "We push each other. We go out there and just keep grinding, attacking every day with the same mindset and executing plays and really just stacking them, getting ready for summer ball, fall camp, and so forth."

Iamaleava transferring to UCLA means he is joining a rivalry against USC. The Trojans will face the UCLA Bruins on Nov. 29 to close out the 2025 regular season.

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