As the calendar turns to October and college football begins its grueling stretch of conference play, we can start to establish a clearer picture of the early frontrunner’s for the Heisman trophy. Some players, probably not a surprise. Other players, making strong cases for consideration.
Fair warning: As you’d probably expect, the early Heisman rankings are quarterback top-heavy. You can anticipate at least one or two spots being filled by non-quarterback positions (i.e. Chuba Hubbard, Devonta Smith) before the season is over.
Here are my Heisman rankings through Week 5 of the season:
- Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama: As if we expected anything less, Tua and the Tide absolutely pummeled Ole Miss on Saturday. Tua completed 26 of 36 passes for 418 yards and six touchdowns, including five of them thrown to wide receiver DeVonta Smith. As the calendar flips to October, Tua is clearly our No. 1 player and it’s really not even close right now.
2019 Stats:
– 1718 yards, 23 touchdowns, zero interceptions
Next Game: @ Texas A&M (3-2) 10/12 - Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma: Hurts continues to lead the way for the Sooners and played arguably his best game on Saturday. Hurts completed 17 of 24 passes for 415 yards and three touchdowns. Hurts is torching defenses, doing it with both his arm and legs. Hurts hasn’t missed a step since transferring from Alabama, sitting near the top in every major passing category in the Big 12.
2019 Stats:
– 1295 yards, 12 touchdowns, one interception
– 47 rushes, 443 yards, five touchdowns
Next Game: vs. Kansas (2-3) 10/5 - Justin Fields, Ohio State: The vibe out of Ohio State appears to be all business for Fields and his performance on the field this season is a perfect example of it. Fields dominated Nebraska, completing 15 of 21 passes for 212 yards and three touchdowns. This game was supposed to be the Buckeyes’ first “test” against a good team, but Fields quickly shut that down. Fields has been perfect on the year, collecting 23 touchdowns and no interceptions, and will look to continue it this weekend against the Spartans.
2019 Stats:
– 1092 yards, 16 touchdowns, zero interceptions
– 46 rushes, 222 yards, seven touchdowns
Next game: vs. Michigan State (4-1) 10/5 - Joe Burrow, LSU: After watching Burrow throw for nearly 500 yards and four touchdowns against Texas in Week 2, there was no question the Tigers found their quarterback. Burrow’s has soared up the Heisman ranks, making LSU not only a contender for the SEC crown, but a legitimate contender for the National Championship. Burrow’s was exceptional against Vanderbilt, completing 25 of 34 passes for 398 yards and six touchdowns. The Tigers face Utah State this week as a tune-up for their showdown against the Gators the following week.
2019 Stats:
– 80.6% completion pct., 1520 yards, 17 touchdowns, two interceptions
Next game: vs. Utah State (3-1) 10/5 - Justin Herbert, Oregon: To be fair, I don’t know much about Herbert, I don’t stay up late enough to watch him play. That being said, I know enough to know he is the real deal. After the loss to Auburn, where he did play preeetty well, Herbert has strung off three-straight impressive victories. Critics about Herbert will knock the lack of competition in the Pac-12, but I beg to differ. The remaining eight opponents for the Ducks have a combined 25-10 (.714%), including games against Washington, Arizona State, and USC.
2019 stats:
– 1127 yards, 14 touchdowns, zero interceptions
Next game: vs. California (4-1) 10/5
Frontrunner: Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
Sleeper: Justin Fields, Ohio State
Underdog: Joe Burrow, LSU
Outside looking in:
– Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State: 128 rushes, 938 yards, 10 touchdowns
– DeVonta Smith, Alabama: 31 receptions, 537 yards, eight touchdowns
– J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State: 92 rushes, 654 yards, five touchdowns
– Anthony Gordon, Washington State: 2146 yards, 22 touchdowns, 6 INTs
Let us know who your frontrunner and top-5 players are.
Photo Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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