Author: Krissy Birdsall
We are nearly 10 weeks into the NCAA Football Season, and in those weeks the Heisman race has completely opened up. Preseason favorites included Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler, Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, and Georgia quarterback JT Daniels. They have all basically dropped out of the rankings, opening the door for other quarterbacks, and even a few running backs to get into the mix for the Heisman. Below I highlight the current top five favorites going into week 10 of the NCAA season, as well as three dark horses who may creep into the rankings in the coming weeks.
The Top Five
1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Even in the preseason Heisman trophy odds, Alabama QB Bryce Young was one of the top contenders. Now, more than halfway through the regular season, Young has remained one of the favorites. He currently sits in 2nd based on quarterback rating (QBR) among active passers this season. His 2,453 yards are 10th best, and he's thrown 26 TDs and only three interceptions this season. Expect big numbers from Young in the next few weeks, before facing a pivotal matchup against Auburn, which will likely carry playoff implications as well. If selected, he'd become Alabama's 4th Heisman winner, and Bama's first QB to win college football's biggest award.
2. CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
C.J. Stroud was another preseason favorite who has managed to stay in contention in this year's Heisman race. The Ohio State QB leads the NCAA in QBR, and has thrown 23 TDs with only three interceptions. His 2,270 yards thrown so far this season ranks 12th among quarterbacks. Stroud is seeking to become Ohio State's first Heisman Trophy winner since Troy Smith in 2006. He would become the 8th winner from Ohio State, which would lead the NCAA in most Heisman winners by school.
3. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Matt Corral was mentioned in the preseason odds, but towards the middle of the players mentioned in the poll. Now in week 10, Corral's Heisman stock has boomed to become one of the favorites to win. The Ole Miss quarterback ranks 5th in QBR with a rating of 84.2. Corral has thrown for 2,202 yards, 15TDs and only two interceptions so far this season. This is nothing new for Corral as last year he led the NCAA in total offense. Ole Miss' will face a tough Texas A&M team on November 13th, a game critical in determining Corral's Heisman status.
If selected, Corral would become Ole Miss' fourth Heisman finalist and first Heisman winner. No Ole Miss player ever finished higher than third, which included quarterbacks Jake Gibbs (1960), Archie Manning (1970), and Eli Manning (2003).
4. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
Kenneth Walker III has been skyrocketing in the rankings over the past few weeks. The running back is leading the league with 149.5 yards per game, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. Walker III also has 15 total TDs this season, including 14 rushing TDs, which is good for 3rd best among NCAA running backs. Walker's last five TDs came during last week's game against rival Michigan, where he ran for 197 yards. Michigan State has a few big games coming up, including Ohio State on November 20th, and Penn State the following week. If Walker can help lead his teams to victories in both games, expect him to become the outright favorite
No player from Michigan State has ever won college football's most prestigious award, but two Spartan running backs, Walt Kowalczyk (1957), and Sherman Lewis (1963) both finished 3rd in the Heisman race in their prospective years. Walker would be the first RB to win this award since Derrick Henry in 2015.
5. Caleb Williams, QB, Oklahoma
Caleb Williams took over for Spencer Rattler in the second quarter against Texas on October 9th, and has remained the starter since. Williams has only started the past three games but boasts a QBR of 95.6. Despite playing fewer games than other Heisman factories, Williams has already thrown 14 TDs and only one interception. As the freshman gets more starts under his belt, expect his Heisman stock to continue to rise. The young QB will have two important games against Baylor and rival Oklahoma State to end the season, which will likely impact the team's playoff ranking as well.
If Williams were to win, Oklahoma would lead the NCAA with the most Heisman winners per school with eight. Williams would be the first winner since Kyler Murray in 2018. Four of Oklahoma's seven winners have won since 2003.
The Dark Horses
1. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
Initially kept out of almost every preseason ranking, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett has slowly worked his way up the rankings, currently sitting 6th among active college players. He sits 4th in both QBR (86.1) and TDs thrown (26), and ranks 6th for passing yards (2,755) with only three interceptions on the season. Pickett's numbers should continue to rise as Pittsburgh faces Duke, UNC, Virginia, and Syracuse to close out the season.
Pickett would become Pittsburgh's 2nd Heisman winner and 1st Pittsburgh quarterback. Only running back Tony Dorsett has won the award for Pitt in 1976. Pickett would be the 6th Heisman finalist from Pittsburgh, and 1st since Larry Fitzgerald's runner-up finish in 2003.
2. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson is another running back that is in contention to win the Heisman trophy. Henderson leads the league with 7.9 yards per carry. The running back has 12 rushing TDs and two receiving TDs. Ohio State plays Michigan State on November 20th, which will be a pivotal game in determining which running back has a better chance of becoming a Heisman finalist. Henderson is looking to become the first running back from Ohio State to win since Eddie George in 1995.
3. Sam Hartman, QB, Wake Forest
Initially, on nobody's preseason Heisman watchlist, Sam Hartman and his team have surprised everyone. Wake Forest is ranked 10th in the AP Top-25, its first top 10 ranking in FBS history. The quarterback has helped lead this team, throwing for 2,475 yards, 22 TDs with only three interceptions so far this season. With an NCAA 3rd best QBR of 88.2, expect Hartman's Heisman stock to rise as the team continues to dominate the ACC. A pivotal game for Wake Forest and Hartman will come on November 20th against Clemson. If Wake Forest can win and remain undefeated, expect Hartman to become a legitimate contender. No player from Wake Forest has ever won, let alone has been selected a finalist for the Heisman trophy.
