For fun, I was putting out my list of Heisman candidates the last two weeks on Twitter. Then my boss from this fine website asked me to put it in article form. I couldn’t turn down the opportunity. We need more Heisman talk and that’s what I’m going to deliver. The top two quarterbacks are obvious choices for the top spots. But actually ranking one over the other is pretty difficult. I also like to balance it out with positions. I mean after the top five, it’s all very opinionated. When it comes down to it, only one player wins the thing. But multiple people receive first place votes and I’m pretty sure the voters have to rank a top five, but the top 10 is revealed later on.
Let’s take a look at who the top players in the country are at the beginning of October.
1. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Tua is destroying it through the air right now. He’s top five in completion percentage and passing yards. Tua leads the country in touchdowns and hasn’t thrown a pick yet. But Duke and Ole Miss have been their toughest competition so far.
2. Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma
Jalen Hurts is working with the quarterback whisperer and it’s paying off. He’s gone over 2,000 all-purpose yards with 21 touchdowns. It’s really hard to pick a favorite between Jalen and Tua. The zero interceptions gives Tua the leg up, but certainly Jalen is more dangerous on the ground.
3. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin
If it weren’t for the two quarterbacks having unbelievable years, Jonathan Taylor could be the favorite. JT has rushed for over 100 yards in all five games this year. He’s averaging 7.1 yards a pop and has added pass catching to his arsenal. The Badgers 5-0 start and blowing teams out certainly helps his case.
4. Joe Burrow, QB, LSU
Joe Burrow is having a phenomenal 10th year in college. He was recruited to play at Ohio State in 2015. Burrow transferred to LSU last year, had an alright season, but is now a top-five Heisman candidate. That’s thanks to Coach O opening up the playbook and a 78 completion percentage with 22 touchdowns and just three picks.
5. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
This top-five list is chock full of transfers. Justin Fields played behind Jake Fromm last year at Georgia. He’s making the transition from the Urban Meyer era to the Ryan Day era an easy one. Fields has 26 total touchdowns and is lighting it up through the air and on the ground.
6. Chubba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
Chubba Hubbard is the product of being ran so many times that he racks up the yardage. He has over 150 carries, over 1,000 yards with 13 touchdowns. The Cowboys are a respectable 4-2 with Kansas State being a nice win. Oklahoma State has to go on some kind of run in-order for him to get into the top five.
7. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State
Chase Young is no longer the sole leader in sacks thanks to Curtis Weaver recording three of them Saturday night. Young has recorded at least a half of a sack in each of the Buckeyes six games this season. He’s getting as much attention as the Bosas ever did. Defensive players need more love in the Heisman discussion and Young is your guys this season.
8. Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Oregon is back in the top 15 and should run away with the Pac-12. Their only loss came to a really good Auburn team. Justin Herbert has only thrown one pick this year to 15 touchdowns. Herbert has a really nice 71 completion percentage with over 1,300 passing yards. He deserves this recognition.
9. Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State
Washington State just keeps pumping out quarterbacks. Each of their last two are starting for NFL teams right now. The legend Gardner Minshew actually finished top 10 in Heisman voting last season. So why not include Anthony Gordon who is the first quarterback this season to eclipse 2,000 yards.
10. Omar Bayless, WR, Arkansas State
I gotta give some love to the mid-majors. And wide receivers for that matter. Neither CeeDee Lamb or Jerry Jeudy are putting up overwhelming receiving stats like Amari Cooper did. I’m going to include Omar Bayless for leading the country in receiving by over 100 yards and being the first guy to catch double-digit touchdowns this season.
Photo courtesy of UWBadgers.com
Austin has found a love for blogging and will rant about anything. He may not always be right about college football, but he’s a great follow on twitter @watlher924 during hoops season.