From a purely historical standpoint having a Heisman Trophy winner increases your odds of actually winning the national title compared to the field and really increases your odds of making it to the big game. Going back to 2000, 16 of the 26 Heisman winners appeared in the national championship game the year they won. Of the 10 who didn’t, most either played for second tier programs and/or teams with ****** defenses (Travis Hunter, Jayden Williams, Caleb Williams, Lamar Jackson, both OU QBs, RGIII)
2025: Mendoza-Indiana, won NC
2021: Young-Alabama, lost NC
2020: Smith-Alabama, won NC
2019: Burrow-LSU, won NC
2015: Henry-Alabama, won NC
2014: Mariota-Oregon, lost NC
2013: Winston-FSU, won NC
2010: Newton-Auburn, won NC
2009: Ingram-Alabama, won NC
2008: Bradford-OU, lost NC
2006: Smith-OSU, lost NC
2005: Bush-USC, lost NC
2004: Leinart-USC, won NC
2003: White-OU, lost NC
2001: Crouch-Nebraska, lost NC
2000: Weinke-FSU, lost NC
Basically If you could guarantee me that either Mali or Mensah wins the Heisman, I’ll guarantee you that Miami is playing in the national championship game.