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Heisman odds update: Quarterbacks dominating early action

Steven Branscombe / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Betting on the Heisman Trophy winner generally begins and ends with deciding which quarterback you like the most. Signal-callers have taken home eight of the previous nine awards, and, judging by the early action, bettors don't expect this season to be any different.

This year's field is led by 2018 runner-up Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama and Trevor Lawrence of Clemson. However, they don't account for the most action among quarterbacks.

"We're seeing the most action on Oklahoma's Jalen Hurts and Nebraska's Adrian Martinez in a more quarterback-driven Heisman list we've seen so far," oddsmaker Motoi Pearson told theScore on Thursday. "There's been steady action on Oregon's Justin Herbert, Texas' Sam Ehlinger, and Georgia's Jake Fromm as far as middle-of-the-pack quarterbacks that all have major upside. Nobody has forgot about chalk favorites Tua and Trevor, both sitting at 5-2; getting a few decent bets here and there. Some of the "long shot" odds on players we put up that were bet for quite a bit included Notre Dame's Ian Book, Washington's Jacob Eason, Alabama's Jerry Jeudy, Purdue's Rondale Moore, Stanford's KJ Costello, and Florida's Feleipe Franks."

Some of that action has already caused a shift in odds for the majority of those players:

Player Open Current
QB Adrian Martinez 20-1 10-1
QB Ian Book 100-1 40-1
QB Jalen Hurts 12-1 7-1
WR Jerry Jeudy 100-1 50-1
QB Justin Herbert 50-1 15-1
WR Rondale Moore 60-1 30-1
QB Sam Ehlinger 25-1 12-1
QB Jake Fromm 25-1 15-1
QB K.J. Costello 100-1 50-1

If Hurts wins the award, he would be the third straight quarterback from Oklahoma to do so. The former national title winner at Alabama is looking to pilot the Sooners to their third consecutive College Football Playoff appearance and should be in the mix for the award if he's able to lead his team to the postseason.

As for Martinez, there perhaps isn't another quarterback who's generated such buzz while playing for a non-contender. He was a bright spot for Nebraska during last year's four-win season, as he accumulated more than 3,000 yards through the air and on the ground to go along with 25 touchdowns as a freshman.

While those players have seen their odds slashed, other stars around the country have been unpopular bets so far. That includes USC quarterback J.T. Daniels, which Pearson called a "surprise." Additionally, Oklahoma running backs Trey Sermon and Kennedy Brooks, and Clemson wide receivers Justyn Ross and Tee Higgins have seen less action than initially anticipated.

Bettors who opt against the quarterback route are looking at the more notable skill players.

"Wisconsin's Jonathan Taylor has been getting the most action for the running backs we have posted," Pearson said. "Right behind him are Georgia's D'Andre Swift, Clemson's Travis Etienne, Ohio State's JK Dobbins, and Alabama's Najee Harris.

"As far as wide receivers, Jeudy and Moore have been the popular bets."

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.

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