Heisman Watch and National Players of the Week – Week 4

Heisman Watch

The Heisman Watch is a little different than last week but our main guys are still within the top 10.

The Leaders: 

1. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, Quarterback, Junior.

   

   Stroud had another big outing as Ohio State beat Wisconsin 52-21. Stroud was 17 of 27 for 281 yards and 5 touchdowns. For the 2022 season, he is 79 of 112 for 1,222 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is the clear front runner right now for the Heisman.

2. Bryce Young, Alabama, Quarterback, Junior.

   

   Young was 25 of 36 for 385 yards and 4 touchdowns in Alabama’s 55-3 victory over Vanderbilt. His season totals are 83 of 121 for 1,029 yards and 13 touchdowns with another 16 carries for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns rushing. Young is within striking distance of tying Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heisman winner. It seems fitting that a Buckeye is racing for the title to keep Archie as the only guy with two Heismans.

3. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee, Quarterback, Senior.

   

   Hooker has to be among the leaders after the game he had against the Gators. Hooker was 22 of 28 through the air for 349 yards and 2 touchdowns and had 13 carries for 112 and another touchdown on the ground. This is the first game any player has had that can be seen as a “Heisman Moment.” The Vols beat Florida 38-33 for the first time since 2016 and only the second time since 2004. Hooker was the reason why. On the year Hooker is 81 of 113 for 1,193 yards and 8 touchdowns passing with 35 carries for 175 yards and 3 touchdowns rushing. There is a different sense about these Vols with Hooker and Heupel leading the way. Heisman trophies and conference contention aren’t just fairy tales.

4. Stetson Bennett, Georgia, Quarterback, Senior.

   Bennett had a rough game that his Heisman campaign really can’t afford. He was 27 of 36 for 272 yards and 1 interception in the air and 5 carries for 13 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground. The good news is Georgia still won and is still #1 in the country. On the season Bennett is 92 of 124 for 1,224 yards and 5 touchdowns in the air and has 13 carries for 44 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground. As long as Bennett is consistently competent and Georgia keeps winning, he’ll be in the Heisman conversation.

5. Will Anderson, Alabama, Linebacker, Junior.

   

   Anderson had 5 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, and 2.5 sacks in Alabama’s victory over Vanderbilt. He has 20 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, and an interception returned for a touchdown so far this season. Anderson’s stats will start to tick up as the Tide start facing stiffer competition and will need Anderson for complete games. If Anderson matches or exceeds his tackles for a loss and sacks he’ll be a serious defensive contender for the Heisman.

In the Race:

1. Caleb Williams, USC, Quarterback, Sophomore.

   

   Williams fell to here after a nail biting win over Oregon State where he went 16 of 36 for 180 yards and 1 touchdown. On the season Williams is 80 of 122 for 1,054 yards and 9 touchdowns in the passing game, with 36 carries for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. Despite the poor statistical outing against Oregon State, the win and few mistakes make it still very possible for Williams to get back into the top 5 of this Heisman race.

2. Jalon Daniels, Kansas, Quarterback, Junior.

   

   Daniels was 19 of 23 for 324 yards and 4 touchdowns with 11 carries for 83 yards and 1 touchdown rushing. On the season Daniels is 66 of 93 for 890 yards and 11 touchdowns with 38 carries for 320 yards and 4 touchdowns rushing. It’s uncertain how long Daniels will stay in the Heisman race but you can’t doubt he belongs in it right now. He and Kansas are the surprise team of the season at 4-0.

3. Mohammed Ibrahim, Minnesota, Running Back, Senior.

   Ibrahim had 22 carries for 103 yards and 1 touchdown and 2 catches for 20 yards in Minnesota’s 34-7 win over Michigan State. He has 89 carries for 567 yards and 8 touchdowns with 4 catches for 33 yards on the season. The Gophers are showing that they are the likely king of the Wild Big Ten West and Ibrahim is the key to them attaining that crown. And that fact keeps him in this race.

4. Brock Bowers, Georgia, Tight End, Sophomore.

   

   Bowers is the do it all tight end for Georgia and he did it all again today. Bowers had 2 carries for 77 yards and 2 touchdowns and 5 catches for 60 yards. On the season, Bowers has 15 catches for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns and has 3 carries for 83 yards and 3 touchdowns rushing. Bowers is Georgia’s best offensive weapon and credit the Bulldogs in getting creative in the ways they get Bowers involved in the game. Tight ends don’t often get involved in the Heisman race. If Georgia keeps getting the big guy the ball, Bowers will keep up in this track meet.

5. Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Sophomore.

   Egbuka is doing for Ohio State what it was though Jaxon Smith-Njigba would do before he was injured. Egbuka had 6 catches for 118 yards and 2 touchdowns in Ohio State’s 52-21 win over Wisconsin. On the year Egbuka has 26 catches for 442 yards and 6 total touchdowns. If Egbuka keeps going in this direction he could be the Chase to Stroud’s Burrow.

Making Noise:

1. Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State, Quarterback, Senior.

   

   While Oklahoma State had a BYE week, Sanders is still playing at an elite level for the Cowboys. Through 3 games Sanders is 62 of 95 for 916 yards and 10 touchdowns passing. He also has 27 carries for 110 yards and 3 touchdowns rushing. If Sanders maintains this level of play maintain a spot in this race. And Oklahoma State will be in good shape to do this year what they did last year; play for a Big 12 Championship, beat Oklahoma, and win a New Years’ Six bowl.

2. Bo Nix, Oregon, Quarterback, Senior.

   

   Nix was 33 of 44 for 428 yards and 3 touchdowns in the Ducks comeback win over Washington State. Nix is 95 of 132 for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns passing with 26 carries for 120 yards and 3 touchdowns rushing. Nix has Oregon playing as well as any team in the Pac-12. The Ducks are still contenders with Nix at quarterback.

3. Blake Corum, TTUN, Running Back, Junior.

   

   I hate giving a player from that team up north any credit but with the way Blake Corum is running you have to! Today against Maryland he had 30 carries for 243 yards and 2 touchdowns giving him 64 carries for 478 yards and 9 touchdowns. It’s not just J.J. McCarthy who is better up there this year. Corum is better too and that should have every Big Ten team nervous.

4. Garrett Shrader, Syracuse, Quarterback, Junior.

   

   Shrader took a hit this week but stays in the conversation because he led the go-ahead field goal drive for the Orange. He has Syracuse at 4-0 including 2 wins over teams who were expected to finish ahead of them this year (Louisville and Virginia). Shrader was 23 of 33 for 277 yards and 1 total touchdown against Virginia. On the year he is 73 of 110 for 986 yards and 8 touchdowns with 60 carries for 212 yards and 4 touchdowns rushing.

5. Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina, Quarterback, Junior.

   McCall went 19 of 27 for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns passing and had 8 carries for 38 yards and 1 touchdown on the ground in Coastal Carolina’s win over Georgia State. While these stats are modest, McCall has the Chanticleers undefeated and on the year is 69 of 98 for 1,001 yards and 11 touchdowns to only 1 interception. He also has 29 carries for 91 yards and 2 more touchdowns on the ground.

Down But Not Out:

K.J. Jefferson, Arkansas, Quarterback, Junior.

Jefferson was 12 of 19 for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns and had 18 carries for 105 yards and 1 touchdown. The trouble was when Jefferson extended the ball in an attempt to score, and fumbled the ball which was recovered and returned for a touchdown by Texas A&M. This was a huge play in the 23-21 loss for the Razorbacks. The good news is Jefferson still has opportunities to get his hat back in the ring. On the year he is 67 of 97 for 941 yards and 8 touchdowns with 64 carries for 274 yards and 4 touchdowns rushing.

Sam Hartman, Wake Forest, Quarterback, Junior.

Hartman was 20 of 29 for 337 yards and 6 touchdowns against Clemson, but is here because like KJ Jefferson he made the game deciding turnover that gave the opponent the win. Hartman is still a talented quarter back who makes Wake Forest a threat in every game and who with a few more good games and wins will be back in the thick of this race. On the season and in only three games Hartman is 64 of 100 for 962 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Jordan Addison, USC, Wide Receiver, Junior.

The Pitt transfer had 3 catches for 42 yards and a very important touchdown in USC’s photo finish win over Oregon State. Addison has 21 catches for 337 yards and 6 touchdowns on the year. Addison still has plenty of time to get back in top portion of the Heisman race.

Will Rogers, Mississippi State, Quarterback, Junior.

Rogers and the Bulldogs’ loss to LSU has his chances down but his stats keep him in the not out category. On the season Rogers is 140 of 190 for 1,386 yards and 16 touchdowns. Rogers will have the numbers in Mike Leach’s offense, now he just needs the wins to go with it. Some upsets in the SEC West by the Bulldogs would Rogers bouncing back in a big way.

Bijan Robinson, Texas, Running Back, Junior.

Robinson fell down here not because he didn’t have success against Texas Tech. He did, he had 16 carries for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns and 1 catch for 22 yards. The problem for Robinson was he fumbled on Texas’ first play in overtime. This allowed Texas Tech to kick a field goal on their possession for the win. This is a big set back for Robinson. However there is plenty of football left to be played. A competitor like Robinson will only be more hungry after a bad day like this!

National Players of the Week

-National Player of the Week:

Adrian Martinez, Kansas State, Quarterback, Senior.

The Nebraska transfer had a career game as Kansas State upset #6 Oklahoma 41-34. Martinez was 21 of 34 for 234 yards and 1 touchdown in the air and had 21 carries for 148 yards and 4 touchdowns on the ground as the Wildcats upset the Sooners. It took a career day for Martinez and he delivered.

-National Offensive Player of the Week:

C.J. Stroud, Ohio State, Quarterback, Junior.

Stroud had another big outing as Ohio State beat Wisconsin 52-21. Stroud was 17 of 27 for 281 yards and 5 touchdowns. For the 2022 season, he is 79 of 112 for 1,222 yards and 16 touchdowns. Stroud has played so well that now, a third of the way through the season, it is his to lose.

-National Defensive Player of the Week:  

Xavier Cullens, Memphis, Linebacker, Senior.

Cullens had a fantastic game as Memphis beat North Texas 44-34. Xavier Cullens had 8 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, and 1 interception that was returned for a touchdown. #8 was flying all over the field for the Tigers! He was critical to their win and their 3-1 start.

-National Special Teams’ Players of the Week:

Casey Legg, West Virginia, Kicker, Senior.

Legg had a stellar night in a must win game for the Mountaineers. Casey Legg was 4 of 4 for field goals and 3 of 3 for extra points for the win. West Virginia beat rival Virginia Tech to go to 2-2 on the season. He may have saved his coach’s job for the time being by kicking the Mountaineers to this win.

Andre Szmyt, Syracuse, Kicker, Senior.

Szmyt was 5 of 5 on field goals and 1 of 1 on extra points in Syracuse’s 22-20 win over Virginia. He kept Syracuse undefeated when the offense had a rough day. The ACC is officially on notice of the Orange.

Honorable Mention of the Week:

Brad Roberts, Air Force, Running Back, Senior.

Roberts (who appeared on my radar in Week 2 against Colorado) had 20 carries for 123 yards and 3 touchdowns in Air Force’s win over Nevada to improve to 3-1 on the season. Brad Roberts has 68 carries for 475 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2022. Knowing that they serve the people who watch them, it’s always nice to see the military schools win.

Jaren Hall, BYU, Quarterback, Senior. 

Hall was sharp as BYU rebounded from their loss to Oregon with a 38-24 win over Wyoming. Hall was 26 of 32 for 337 yards and 4 touchdowns. With their win over Baylor and teams like Arkansas and Notre Dame left on the schedule a New Years’ Six bowl game is not out of the question for BYU. Especially if Hall continues his stellar play. Because BYU is still contending for that, Hall still has a longshot at the Heisman.

Kurtis Rourke, Ohio, Quarterback, Junior.

Rourke was 41 of 50 for 537 yards and 4 touchdowns with 10 carries for 45 yards and 1 touchdown rushing in Ohio’s 59-52 win over Fordham. FCS foe or no, 537 yards and 5 total touchdowns is ridiculous for any quarterback. MAC defensive coordinators can’t be excited when they see this guy is on their schedule.

Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State, Middle linebacker, Senior. 

Eichenberg had 14 tackles and 2 tackles for a loss. He led the Buckeye defense in their win over Wisconsin. Tommy Eichenberg will be crucial to the Buckeyes’ success against this tough schedule. Eichenberg went from being a scapegoat in 2021 to being an anchor of this defense in 2022.

Jason Henderson, Old Dominion, Linebacker, Sophomore.

Henderson had 21 tackles, flying to the ball on every defensive snap, in Old Dominion’s 29-26 win over Arkansas State. That’s a rather crazy high number of tackles for these day, so hats off to the ODU linebacker Jason Henderson.

Thanks for reading! If you like my work check out my articles about The Ohio State Buckeyes, the BYU Cougars, and the Big Ten.