Three QBs, a WR and a RB: Our preseason Heisman tracker

1 year ago 7

An early look at the contenders for
college football's most coveted award.

Amid an ever-shifting college football multiverse -- transfers, NIL, expansion and realignment that seem to change more frequently than the staircase at Hogwarts -- one steadfast bedrock of the game remains when we need to grab something for grounding. The Heisman Trophy has been the bronzed anchor of the sport since 1935, the same year Bear Bryant finished his playing career at Alabama and saw the creation of the Hoover Dam, Social Security and the first Pacific airmail delivery, carrying to Hong Kong from California.

Today, the latest player to have his name engraved at the cleated feet of college football's most famous statue makes his own airborne deliveries up and down the California coast. USC quarterback Caleb Williams will seek his second Heisman this season, a feat done only once before. So, how do we rate his chances? And which players have the best shot at snatching the trophy from his grip? We polled 15 ESPN college football writers to find out, and we'll keep updating those rankings until someone adds their name to the list of college football's immortals.

Points awarded: 5 for first-place votes, 4 for second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth and 1 for fifth. Odds by Caesars Sportsbook (through Aug. 23).

Player Stats

passing yards 4,537 4,537	passing tds 42 42
rushing yards 382 382	rushing tds 10 10

Previous odds +1050 Current odds +500

Total votes by Week

Preseason: 14 FIRST, 1 SECOND

Heisman-worthy moment

2022 highlight:

Williams eludes pressure and slings a beauty to Brenden Rice, who makes a spectacular catch to give the Trojans good field position.

Player Stats

passing yards 4,641 4,641	passing tds 31 31
rushing yards 92 92	rushing tds 4 4

Previous odds +1600 Current odds +1800

Total votes by Week

Preseason: 6 SECOND, 4 THIRD

Heisman-worthy moment

2022 highlight:

Take a look back at Michael Penix Jr.'s best plays in his debut season at Washington.

Player Stats

passing yards 4,321 4,321	passing tds 38 38
rushing yards 698 698	rushing tds 7 7

Previous odds +1600 Current odds +1400

Total votes by Week

Preseason: 5 SECOND, 2 THIRD

Heisman-worthy moment

2022 highlight:

Drake Maye throws a touchdown pass to Josh Downs to put North Carolina on the board in the first quarter.

Player Stats

receiving yards 1,263 1,263	receiving tds 14 14
receptions 77 77	rushing yds 32 32

Previous odds +1800 Current odds +1800

Total votes by Week

Preseason: 1 FIRST, 2 SECOND, 5 THIRD

Heisman-worthy moment

2022 highlight:

Ohio State finds the scoreboard first with a pristine pass from C.J. Stroud to Marvin Harrison Jr. in the first quarter.

Player Stats

rushing yards 1,463 1,463	rushing tds 18 18
receiving yards 80 80	receiving tds 1 1

Previous odds +3000 Current odds +3000

Total votes by Week

Preseason: 3 THIRD

Heisman-worthy moment

2022 highlight:

Blake Corum goes for five touchdowns as Michigan cruises to a 59-0 victory over UConn.

Looking ahead

Feel free to print this out or save it on your phone to pull up and start some hearty Heisman debates during your late summer cookouts. The first player on our list above will also be the first of these players to take the field, as Caleb Williams and USC host San Jose State in the Coliseum on Aug. 26. Just a few blocks away the Trojans keep their seven Heisman Trophies on display in Heritage Hall. Might Mr. Williams be on his way to earning their eighth? Stay tuned...

Best of the Rest: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon; Joe Milton III, QB, Tennessee; Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson; Kyle McCord, QB, Ohio State; Carson Beck, QB, Georgia.

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