Where Ty Simpson, and Missouri Stars Alabama Will Play, Rank in the Heisman Race

 

 

As the 2025 college football season charges into its midpoint, the Heisman Trophy conversation is heating up, and the race is as tight as ever. Among the standout names, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has rapidly ascended into the national spotlight, while Missouri’s electric playmakers continue to shake up the competition. With both programs in the thick of the SEC battle, their stars’ performances could ultimately determine not just the Heisman rankings—but the entire College Football Playoff picture.

 

Ty Simpson, Alabama’s emerging leader, has become one of the nation’s most efficient and composed quarterbacks. After a patient start to his career, the redshirt sophomore has blossomed into the kind of field general Alabama fans have been waiting for since Bryce Young’s departure. Under head coach Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide offense looks more balanced and explosive, and Simpson’s poise under pressure has been a major reason why. His current numbers—over 1,800 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and just 2 interceptions through six games—put him squarely in the top five of most Heisman projections.

 

Simpson’s rise is also a reflection of how Alabama has evolved. Unlike previous Tide quarterbacks who relied heavily on elite receivers, Simpson has thrived by distributing the ball to a deep rotation of targets and working within DeBoer’s creative system. His command of tempo and his ability to extend plays have drawn comparisons to a young Joe Burrow. If he continues leading Alabama through the SEC gauntlet with the same confidence, his Heisman case will only strengthen.

 

Meanwhile, in Columbia, Missouri’s offensive stars are making noise of their own. Quarterback Brady Cook and wide receiver Luther Burden III have built one of the most dangerous duos in the country. Cook’s efficiency—completing nearly 70 percent of his passes—and Burden’s game-breaking ability after the catch have turned Mizzou into one of the most entertaining teams to watch. Burden, in particular, has emerged as a legitimate Heisman dark horse. He leads the SEC in receiving yards and touchdowns, routinely embarrassing defenders with his strength and agility.

 

For a wide receiver to seriously contend for the Heisman, it takes extraordinary consistency and highlight-worthy moments. Burden has both. If Missouri keeps winning and he continues to produce video-game numbers, he could become the first receiver since DeVonta Smith in 2020 to claim the trophy—or at least make it to New York as a finalist. Cook, while slightly behind Simpson and other top quarterbacks statistically, has gained recognition for his leadership and clutch performances.

 

Heading into Week 7, most Heisman trackers place Simpson in the top five, alongside Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Georgia’s Carson Beck, and Texas quarterback Arch Manning, with Burden and Cook hovering just outside that elite circle. But the beauty of the Heisman race is how quickly momentum can shift.

 

With Alabama facing Missouri later this month, the matchup could serve as a defining moment for all three contenders. A dominant outing by Simpson could push him into the top three, while an upset led by Burden and Cook could rewrite the entire Heisman narrative.

 

In the end, both Alabama and Missouri have something the Heisman voters love: high-stakes games, star power, and compelling storylines. Whether it’s Ty Simpson’s rise to Alabama glory or Missouri’s dynamic duo rewriting the SEC script, the Heisman race is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling in years—and the best chapters are yet

to be written.