2022 Heisman Watch: Which Players Could Win the Prestigious Award?
The college football season is well over halfway through the 2022 season. With being so far into the season, the Heisman Watch can finally start to heat up. The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the best individual player in all of college football. So far this season, we’ve seen multiple great performances from players we expected to be in the running, but also players who weren’t even in the discussion in the preseason. One could say no one player has run away with the award yet. We haven’t seen a season like Joe Burrow’s at LSU during their championship run, or Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M, which makes things even more interesting. So which players at this point of the season could be in discussion or receive votes for the Heisman Trophy?
CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Coming into the season, C.J. Stroud was one of the players everyone expected to be in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy. During Stroud’s sophomore campaign last year, the quarterback finished fourth in the Heisman voting. So far this year, Stroud has been one of the best quarterbacks in the entire country. In seven games, Stroud has led Ohio State to an undefeated record and is ranked number two in the country. Already throwing for 2,023 yards and leading the country with 28 passing touchdowns and a 92.6 QBR, Stroud should easily be one of the favorites to win the award. Stroud is also doing this without star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who has missed most of the season. If Stroud continues to win and play at a high level, he will easily be in the discussion come voting time.
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Hendon Hooker has been one of the main surprises so far in the 2022 college football season. Hooker has led the explosive Tennessee Volunteer offense to an undefeated record so far this season. The senior quarterback has one of the best resumes so far out of all the players across the nation. Hooker is already 500 passing yards shy of his 2021 season. With 2,093 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, and second in QBR with a 91.4 rating, the stats don’t end there. Hooker has also been explosive on the ground with 315 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. When talking about former Heisman winners, most of those winners have one moment during the season that stands out. Hooker already had that moment when he knocked off Alabama in stunning fashion. If Hooker can keep racking up wins for Tennessee, he has to be the favorite to win the award.
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Last year’s Heisman winner, Bryce Young is in the discussion for the award once again. Young hasn’t had a spectacular season compared to last year, however, he is still putting up great numbers. Even though Young missed one game due to injury, he has still thrown for 1,906 passing yards with 18 touchdowns through the air. Those are nice numbers, especially considering the time missed. However, most of the time the winner of the award comes with results in the win-loss column. Young isn’t the front-runner as of now. However, if he leads Alabama back to the SEC Championship game and leads them to the playoffs, that should boost him up among the other candidates in the discussion.
Caleb Williams, QB, USC
The biggest transfer over the offseason has worked out quite well. Caleb Williams came into college as the number two quarterback, only behind Quinn Ewers in the 2021 class. After Lincoln Riley left for USC, Williams followed the former Oklahoma coach to Los Angeles. So far this season, Williams has helped USC come back to relevance, leading them to a 6-1 record, with their only loss coming to a ranked Utah team on the road. Williams has been a threat to opposing defenses through the air and on the ground so far this season. The sophomore quarterback has thrown for 1,971 yards with 19 touchdowns while compiling 235 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Williams will need a big rest of the season to win the trophy this year but should be one of the favorites entering into next year.
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
The Michigan running back faces an uphill battle to win the Heisman Trophy. Looking back at previous Heisman winners, the last running back to win the award was back in 2015 when Derrick Henry won. Blake Corum has been one of the reasons why Michigan is off to a 7-0 start this season. The junior running back has 901 rushing yards with 13 rushing touchdowns on the season. Corum won’t win the Heisman, but expect the running back to receive multiple votes to finish within the top 5 of the voting – especially if Michigan keeps winning throughout the remainder of the season.
Others Who Could Receive Votes
Multiple other players across the country could receive votes for the Heisman this year. Even though these players won’t win the Heisman, they’ve had great seasons and will be on the Heisman watch among the committee. Max Duggan has had an impressive season for TCU this year. The quarterback has led his team to a 7-0 start this season. Spencer Sanders is another Big 12 quarterback who could receive votes. Sanders has already thrown for 2,000 yards this year, and has Oklahoma State in the top 10 of the college football rankings. Bo Nix has been a pleasant surprise this season after transferring from Auburn to Oregon. The quarterback has led Oregon to an impressive season after losing to Georgia in Week 1. Lastly, Illinois running back Chase Brown could receive votes. Brown is the entire Illinois offense, and has put them in the top 25 this season. Brown already has 1,059 rushing yards this season.
There will be plenty of time for players to raise or hurt their stock in the upcoming weeks of the 2022 college football season. Players can come and go throughout the rest of the season’s Heisman watch. However, if Hendon Hooker or CJ Stroud keep doing what they’re doing for the rest of the season, it’ll be hard to find someone more qualified than them to win the Heisman Trophy this season.
