By Will Helms
We’re moving into the part of the college football season where players really start to separate themselves in the Heisman conversation. Like I do every week, I’ll break down a few players that really helped their cases and a few players that took steps back last week. As we get later in the year, our list of real contenders dwindles, but for now, we have a few.
Heisman Trophy Stock Up
CJ Stroud, QB- Ohio State (+160)
Stroud continues to be the most consistent player in the country this season after making piecemeal of a solid Wisconsin defense. Stroud did throw his first interception of the season but added five more touchdowns to his lead.
What was most impressive was that Stroud didn’t have to rely on big plays to beat the Badgers. Stroud averaged over 10 yards an attempt but with a long of just 33 yards. His consistency this year has been impressive and has been a huge step forward from last year.
Stroud’s consistency has been his biggest asset this season, but I’m not anywhere near ready to crown him the obvious favorite. Like last week, I’m warning against betting him now. He’s obviously in the running, but he’s not as much of a frontrunner as his odds suggest.
Hendon Hooker, QB- Tennessee (+1800)
Welcome to the Heisman conversation, Hendon Hooker! Hooker runs Tennessee’s spread offense to perfection and it’s finally getting him some Heisman recognition after a win over Florida. Hooker is third in the country in QBR and has yet to throw a pick this season.
After struggling at Virginia Tech, Hooker has been immaculate for Tennessee in the last year-plus. In a year without many obvious contenders beyond the top three, Tennessee has a chance to make a run at a College Football Playoff. With that, Hooker has a huge opportunity to win the award. He’s obviously still a longshot, but he’s putting himself into the conversation.
In a year with no clear favorite, Hooker has a great chance to make the top five or better.
Heisman Trophy Stock Down
Caleb Williams, QB- USC (+600)
Williams’ odds didn’t take much of a tumble last week, but my confidence in him sure did. While most of the country couldn’t see his game against Oregon State, Williams struggled mightily. He completed less than 45 percent of his passes while averaging just 5.0 yards an attempt.
The Trojans pulled out a pretty gutsy win after Williams was seemingly stopped on an end-of-game fourth down run before being pushed over the line to gain by his offensive line. Williams is still firmly in the race (Third behind Bryce Young and Stroud at most sportsbooks) but he certainly did not help his case Saturday.
As long as USC stays undefeated, Williams has a chance to win. However, I haven’t exactly been blown away by Williams this season, at least not to the extent that Vegas has been. He’s been good, but not “Heisman good” so far.
KJ Jefferson, QB- Arkansas (+5000)
With no other players really playing themselves out of the race, I picked Jefferson in this spot. To be clear, I love the big-bodied, strong-armed Jefferson, but in a close contest with Texas A&M, Jefferson’s mistakes really hurt the Razorbacks.
To win the Heisman out of nowhere, just about everything has to go right and so far, almost everything has for Jefferson. However, a goalline fumble (returned for a touchdown) really hurt Arkansas and ultimately led to a loss in a game the Razorbacks dominated.
Jefferson has several more years of eligibility, so I expect to see his name here next year, but barring an all-time great October and November, he’s not making it to the ceremony in 2022.
Heisman Race Worth Monitoring
Jalon Daniels, QB- Kansas (+3000)
All Daniels does is put up big numbers in big wins for Kansas, who has won four games for the first time in over 10 years. If he doesn’t win the Heisman (And he probably won’t) he’ll still end up a Kansas Jayhawk legend. Honestly, we need more of that. Just sit back and enjoy his amazing play.
Stetson Bennett, QB- Georgia (+2500)
What a weird week (in terms of odds) for Bennett. He didn’t really play poorly (outside of a pick and only one touchdown) but saw his odds plummet.
Last week he put up ridiculous numbers but currently sits below where he could be found two weeks ago. He’s still lurking and we know Georgia is likely to be there at the end, so he continues to be one of my favorite longshot picks out there.
Blake Corum, RB- Michigan (+4000)
Corum has been as productive as they get in college in terms of yards and touchdowns per touch over the last three years. However, he’s shared the backfield with multiple talented backs and hasn’t gotten the opportunities needed to truly be a star.
That continued early in the season as he touched the ball just 36 times in the first three games of the season (with seven touchdowns, by the way). Last week though, in Michigan’s first close game, Corum was a workhorse, averaging 8.1 yards a carry on 30 totes.
Corum has the explosiveness to do this against any team the Wolverines play and Michigan should be in enough close contests that he’ll be needed down the stretch. He has a tough game against Iowa this week, but could put up some huge volume numbers. Expect him to hit 30 carries again several times throughout the rest of the season and if Michigan makes the Playoff, Corum has a real shot at the trophy.
