When the NCAA released its “Way-Too-Early Heisman Trophy Contenders for the 2025 Season,” it was no surprise to see names like Garrett Nussmeier, LeNorris Sellers, and Jeremiyah Love in the spotlight. But tucked among the more predictable mentions was Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King, labeled a dark horse by some, but seen as a rising force by those who watched his 2024 season unfold. King’s presence on that list isn’t just symbolic, it’s a warning. He’s coming.
College football didn’t see Georgia Tech’s upset of Florida State in Ireland coming. Nor did they see the Yellow Jackets taking down a Cam Ward-led Miami Hurricanes squad that was ranked sixth in the nation at the time. But both happened, and both were fueled by the brilliance of Haynes King. Against Miami, King went a perfect 6-for-6 through the air, ran 20 times for 93 yards and a touchdown, and threw for another score. It was a showcase of his dual-threat capabilities and leadership, the kind of performance that puts Heisman voters on notice.
King finished the season with 14 passing touchdowns and only two interceptions, a remarkable stat line for a quarterback in an evolving ACC landscape. But it was his legs that often carried Georgia Tech when the offense sputtered; he added 11 rushing touchdowns on the year, consistently turning broken plays into scoring opportunities. Even in the team’s Birmingham Bowl loss to Vanderbilt, King showed poise, throwing for three touchdowns and just one interception. His overall record as a starter was 7-3, a strong turnaround for a Georgia Tech program that hadn’t had many signature moments in recent years.
What makes King’s 2025 outlook even more intriguing is the help he’ll have. Jamal Haynes returns in the backfield as a reliable and explosive option, while veteran wide receiver Malik Rutherford brings experience and big-play potential. New transfer additions Evan Haynes from North Carolina and Rahkeem Smith from Bowling Green give King fresh weapons to target and expand the playbook. With that kind of arsenal, King isn’t just a game manager — he’s the engine.
King has already proven he can go toe-to-toe with the nation’s best. His performance against SEC champion Georgia, a game that went eight overtimes, showed he doesn’t shrink under the lights. He thrives in them. He’s not just a scrappy QB with heart. He’s a playmaker with poise, mobility, and command, the kind of player who wins games no one expects him to win. Last year in his game against Miami, King said “I looked each on of those guys in the eyes (his offensive line), and said hey let’s find a way, no more excuses, we’re going to find a way to win this one.” They found a way, and that’s the type of leadership that matters.
Yes, winning the Heisman will be an uphill battle. The voters love flash, name recognition, and big-market hype. But Haynes King has already made a career out of defying expectations. Another year of health, improved consistency, and a couple more primetime moments may be all he needs to turn the “dark horse” label into something much more serious.
He’s not just an underdog. He’s Georgia Tech’s best hope for greatness and maybe, just maybe, a seat at the Heisman ceremony.
