Although the college football season started just a few weeks ago, it is never too early to look at the Heisman contenders this year. The Heisman is the most prestigious award in college football and is presented annually to the consensus best player. This year the trophy will be presented on Dec. 9, 2023, just before the end of the football season.
The current fan-favorite and front-runner is Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Penix Jr. The Huskies started 5-0, and Penix threw nearly 2000 yards throughout that stretch. He threw for 16 touchdowns, with only 2 interceptions, and had a 75% completion rate during those first five games. Although he is in first at the moment, three other quarterbacks closely trail with much of the season left to be played.
Caleb Williams, a quarterback from the University of Southern California, is in second place, according to Fox Sports. Having won the Heisman last year, he is the clear favorite coming into the season and, while he has been playing at a high level, Penix has overshadowed him thus far. He has 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns, the latter being the most in college football. The gap between Penix and Williams is not significant, and one week where Williams plays significantly better than Penix could flip first and second place.
The third candidate is University of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Longhorns started the season 5-1, losing only to Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry Game. Ewers has over 1,300 yards and ten touchdown passes. The biggest flaw in Ewers’s game so far has been turnovers. Against Oklahoma, he threw two interceptions on the first two drives and then had a fumble later on in the game. For Ewers to remain in Heisman contention, he will need to take much better care of the ball.
Lastly, in fourth place is Bo Nix, quarterback for the Oregon Ducks. He has over 1,400 yards and is completing 80% of his passes. In a game against Stanford on Sept. 30th, Nix had an impressive four touchdowns on 27 for 32 passing. However, on Oct. 18, the Ducks narrowly lost to Washington 33-36 after a potential game-winning Oregon field goal was missed wide right. Although Nix has been playing well, he will need to step up his game if he wants to climb the ranks of Heisman contenders.
Although it is not explicitly mentioned, the majority of winners of the Heisman are quarterbacks, and therefore the award is considered the “best college quarterback award.”
Since 2000, only four non-quarterbacks have won the Heisman. Most recently, Devonta Smith, a wide receiver who is now playing for the Philadelphia Eagles, won in 2020. All four of the favorites this year are quarterbacks who have all been playing at the highest level.
Other notable quarterbacks to watch for are Shedeur Sanders (Colorado), DJ Uiagalelei (Oregon State), J.J. McCarthy (Michigan), Jordan Travis (Florida State), and Cam Ward (Washington State).
In conclusion, there are many elite players who are competing for the Heisman Award this year, and the rankings will undoubtedly shift numerous times before Dec. 9.
