Breaking down the top 10 college football players in the hunt to win the Heisman Trophy:
The favorites
Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Arizona State transfer set career-high marks in touchdowns (28), completion percentage (68.6) and rushing yards (885) during a fantastic first season at LSU under Brian Kelly that included an unexpected SEC West crown. If he can make a similar leap in his second year in The Bayou, the Tigers are a legitimate title contender, and Daniels will find himself in New York City in mid-December.
Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Just nine FBS quarterbacks have produced 3,500 passing yards, 35 passing TDs, 500 rushing yards and five rushing scores in a single season since 2010, and Maye is one of them. The game-breaking dual threat is back for an encore, out to smash more records — he set the North Carolina mark with 4,321 passing yards last season — and possibly become the first Tar Heel to win the Heisman.
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Eleven players have attempted to win consecutive Heisman Trophy awards since Ohio State running back Archie Griffin went back-to-back in 1974-75, and none have accomplished the feat. Williams, the potential first pick in April’s NFL draft, is the latest contender, the heavy favorite who produced a whopping 52 total touchdowns and 4,537 passing yards in his first season at USC last fall. A suspect Trojans defense may actually help his cause — Williams will be tasked with outscoring the opposition, resulting in gaudy numbers.
The contenders
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
The senior ran for 1,473 yards and 18 touchdowns, and that was despite missing Michigan’s final four games due to a left knee injury. Tim Biakabutuka’s single-season school rushing record of 1,818 yards, which was set in 1995, could be jeopardy.
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
It’s easy to envision Ewers as a Heisman finalist, or losing his job by October to Arch Manning. The variance is off the charts for the former No. 1-overall prospect.
Ewers did perform well in his first season under center at Texas, throwing for 2,177 yards and 15 touchdowns, and the Longhorns return top receivers Xavier Worthy, Jordan Whittington and Ja’Tavion Sanders.
But there will be significant pressure on him with Manning waiting in the wings. There isn’t a more talented quarterback room out there, or a more fascinating situation.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
Ohio State may have won it all last year, if not for the concussion Harrison suffered late in the third quarter of the Buckeyes’ heartbreaking loss to Georgia in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
He was dominant that night, catching five passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns prior to his injury.
The biggest roadblock for Harrison, the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, in his pursuit of the award may be the presence of fellow standout Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka, who will take away some of his touches.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
The southpaw appeared in 20 games across four injury-riddled seasons at Indiana. He found health — and excellence — at Washington, not only appearing in all 13 of the Huskies’ contests, but throwing for 4,641 yards and 31 touchdowns to lead the nation’s top-ranked passing attack (369.8 yards per game).
The sleepers
Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
Just two tight ends, Larry Kelley of Yale in 1936 and Leon Hart of Notre Dame in 1949, have won the Heisman. If anyone can be the third, it’s Bowers, the best player at his position in the country.
Georgia’s dominance, however, will lead to frequent second halves off for the physical specimen and limit his production.
Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Like Penix and Daniels, a change of scenery unlocked Nix’s potential.
He threw more touchdown passes last season for Oregon (29) than his previous two years at Auburn combined (23) while completing a robust 71.9 percent of his passes.
He also added 510 rushing yards and 14 scores on the ground, by far the best output of his career.
Sam Hartman, QB, Notre Dame
Playing under the radar at Wake Forest, Hartman will now have a national spotlight as the Notre Dame quarterback.
Big-name opponents Ohio State, USC and Clemson will help his candidacy if the super-senior performs, and there’s no reason to doubt the guy who has produced 7,929 passing yards and 77 touchdowns the past two seasons.
