- Ashton Jeanty
The Heisman has been a quarterback’s reward for many years. In fact, the last running back to hold the trophy was NFL running back Derrick Henry all the way back in 2015. Despite that, Jeanty has been on a war path to change that this year. Through two games, Jeanty has totaled 459 yards and a whopping nine touchdowns, both leading the nation. Playing at Boise State, competition will always be a question for Jeanty, but a game against #9 Oregon in which Jeanty ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns will do good for his Heisman case. If he wants to stay at the top of this list longer than a week, he’ll need to continue this level of play for the remainder of the season.
- Quinn Ewers
First, as much as we’d like to treat this award as an individual award, it takes a great team to win the Heisman, and that’s what Ewers has. Texas is very likely to be in the college football playoffs this year and has the talent on offense to give Ewers everything he needs to be successful this year. Ewers also has a great win against a great defense under his belt already with a win against #17 Michigan and he’ll face an even tougher defense in #1 Georgia later in the season. The best quarterback in the nation so far, Ewers has done everything you ask of a potential Heisman winner.
- Cam Ward
After a successful season for Washington State, Cam Ward had the NFL calling his name and he would’ve been drafted. However, he opted to stay in college for one more year and transfer to Miami. Two weeks into the season, it seems like Ward made the right decision. Ward’s 689 yards and seven total touchdowns has allowed Miami to stroll past its first two opponents. Ward will have the stats to compete for the Heisman trophy, but will he face the competition to make the voters pick him come December.
- Jaxson Dart
Jaxson Dart is another case of great stats against bad competition, but that isn’t in Darts control. What is in his control is his nation leading 795 yards and eight total touchdowns he has added in just two games so far. Dart is in a high-powered offense that is sure to compete for the college football playoffs this season that will give him ample opportunities to compete for the Heisman trophy this year.
- Nico Iamaleava
A five star recruit out of California, Nico was one of the first big recruits to fully take advantage of the NIL era that we are currently swept up in as college football fans. A deal worth up to eight million dollars allowed Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel to pick his QB of the future and that future is now. Now you can watch Iamaleava efficiently pick apart defenses every weekend. Iamaleava is at five as of now because of the lack of competition he has played so far in his young career, but Nico has looked excellent enough with his arm and legs in a Josh Heupel offense to see his Heisman case build itself.
