The 2022 Heisman Trophy picture will be as electrifying as it’s been in recent memory. With the addition of the transfer portal and NIL, crops of premier talent are indeed on the move like never before. Nationwide parity seemingly on the return, the balance in talent amongst conferences will make for compelling statistical cases. However, the blue bloods remain supreme in the race for the 2022 Heisman Trophy. Alabama, Ohio St and a team you may have forgotten about, Texas, all hold viable candidates for the most prestigious award in college athletics. Here’s a projection of what the Heisman finalists will look like in December.
Heisman Favorites:
Winner: QB CJ Stroud (Ohio St)
- My favorite to win the 2022 Heisman Trophy is Ohio State’s CJ Stroud. Coming off a year where he threw for 4435 yards and 44 touchdowns, Stroud’s undeniably primed to make another run at the Heisman in 2022. Stroud also completed a staggering 71.9% of his passes. He also boasted a overall 186.6 passer rating. Furthermore, with an elite stable of skill guys at his disposable and favorable schedule, i look for stroud to amass more amazing numbers and hoist the Heisman Trophy in the end.
- Runner Up: DE Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama)
- Will Anderson Jr., is widely considered the absolute best player in all of college football. That said, it has become increasingly difficult for defensive players to even be nominated for the award let alone seriously considered for it. Irregardless, the all time collegiate sack and tackle for loss record are both in danger health permitting. In 2021, Anderson amassed 101 tackles, 31.0 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks and three pass breakups. If that wont win the award for you, what will? I expect more of the same on the field, and in the voting tabs in the 2022 season for Anderson.
3rd Place: WR Jaxson Smith-Njigba (Ohio St)
- The 2021 Ohio State WR room featured incredible talent. Arguably the deepest room in college football history. Subsequently, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave got selected in the first eleven picks of the 2022 NFL Draft. However, Smith-Njigba flashed more than both first round picks. Racking up 95 catches, 1606 yards, nine touchdowns and 17 yards per catch in his 2021 campaign, he proved he belongs with the elites. His 2022 Rose Bowl performance was the stuff of legend. 15 catches, 346 yards & 3 touchdowns in an epic win over Utah. That performance officially kicked off his campaign for this year. Due to incredibly stiff competition, teammates included, he most likely will not win. Regardless, he’ll eventually be in NYC when the card is read.
4th Place: QB Caleb Williams USC
- Caleb Williams, albeit highly recruited, started off the 2021 season on the bench at the University of Oklahoma. Spencer Rattler, now at South Carolina, was the unquestioned Heisman favorite and top NFL prospect coming into the year. Turmoil and controversy lead to Williams getting his shot to play in the red river rivalry. He led OU to a comeback victory and never looked back. Shockingly, he put up 1912 yards, 21 touchdowns on 64% through the air and 442 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. In only 11 games, Williams staked his claim as a superstar. Now at USC, along with Lincoln Riley and Biletnikoff Award winner Jordan Addison, Williams will vie for a spot in NYC.
5th Place: QB Bryce Young (Alabama)
- 2021 Heisman Trophy Winner Bryce Young had 4872 yards, 47 touchdowns, completed 67% of his passes and had an additional three touchdowns on the ground in 15 games. Factor in the rigorous SEC schedule and numerous injuries in the OL and RB rooms, Young carried a tremendous load. On paper, 2022 will be very similar. Even so, Alabama will score at will this season. Hence why Young will assuredly be a top three pick in the 2023 NFL Draft barring any serious injury. However, while he without doubt will be as good as anyone, history tells us winning the award twice is virtually impossible.
Honorable Mention: QB Tyler Van Dyke (Miami(FL), RB Bijan Robinson (Texas), QB Quinn Ewers (Texas), QB Dillion Gabriel (Oklahoma), RB Trey Henderson (Ohio St), QB Sam Hartman (Wake Forest).