It's rare when you see a player jump from out of nowhere to near the top of the Heisman Trophy odds board during the offseason when no games are played.

Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson has done just that, though, flying from off the board to tied for the SEC's top contender in one short offseason despite only two career starts in two seasons.

Bovada's odds update released this week lists Johnson as tied with Georgia's Nick Chubb at 10-1 and the fourth-most likely winner of college football's most prestigious individual award (via @SiriusXMCollege on Twitter):

Is that hype warranted?

It sure is, especially when it comes to the Heisman Trophy campaign.

If you're thinking about flying out to the desert and placing a bet on Chubb, LSU running back Leonard Fournette, Alabama bruiser Derrick Henry or any other running back, please just send me the check instead because I'll spend it more wisely.

Only two running backs since 2000 have won the Heisman Trophy, and as I wrote earlier this month, the quarterback talent from around the country will rise to the top of the Heisman discussion by season's end.

In the SEC, Johnson checks off every box needed to put together a legitimate run for the stiff-arm trophy.

He has the big arm and grasp of the offense that head coach Gus Malzahn wants in a quarterback, and that was apparent in the season opener last year against Arkansas. Johnson started in place of suspended quarterback Nick Marshall and lit up the Razorbacks defense with 243 yards and two touchdowns in one half of football.

That was after a fall camp in which he still served as the backup for the majority of the time but split snaps with Marshall—who played the second half of the opener—during game week. He was that good in a pinch and has all offseason to work as the No. 1.

During that game—and throughout his career backing up Marshall—Johnson has looked comfortable within the offense, shown the ability to make the tough throws sideline to sideline and has the touch on the intermediate routes Marshall lacked during his two years on the Plains.

Take a look at his highlights below, and you'll see Johnson consistently hitting targets over the middle in stride—particularly the back-to-back plays starting at the 1:30 mark.

Don't be fooled by the spring battle. Johnson was always the clear-cut No. 1 even though Sean White and Tyler Queen were technically fighting for the job. That confidence Malzahn has placed in Johnson will benefit his growth and the evolution of the Tigers offense.

He's also a much more dangerous rusher than he's shown over the last two seasons, when he's totaled just 40 yards and one touchdown.

He boasts 4.5 speed, according to testing this spring (via Adam Rittenberg of ESPN.com).

That speed might look different had it been at the NFL combine, but either way, it's clear Johnson can move.

Check out his high school film (No. 6 in white). He has the size to lower his shoulder and get the tough yards but also has the ability to make a cut and turn a two-yard gain into a 20-yarder. 

"He's a very good runner in his own right," Malzahn said in May. "At 6'6", 240, he runs a high 4.5. He can run it very well if he has to."

That will play well in the minds of Heisman voters, who always love video game statistics from quarterbacks.

Plus, it always helps any player in the Heisman hunt to be in the national championship picture.

If all goes according to plan, Auburn will at least be in the mix to earn a berth in the second annual College Football Playoff. In fact, according to Odds Shark, Auburn is one of the favorites play on the game's biggest stage in 2015.

Of course, every season is unpredictable, and upsets will happen. 

But the public seems to think this summer that Auburn—an offensively driven team—will be in the mix. As a result, Vegas and offshore outlets almost are forced to place its quarterback high on the odds board to prevent them from getting burned this fall if the public is right.

Whether you believe the Johnson hype, think he's destined to be more of a bust or are approaching his season with caution, the Heisman hype has to be there based on his track record, offensive scheme and preseason hype for his team.

After all, those big hotels in southern Nevada didn't build themselves.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and college football video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a host on Bleacher Report Radio on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.