Does Buffalo running back Jaret Patterson make the top five of the 2020 Heisman watch after running for 409 yards and a record-tying eight touchdowns over the weekend?
1. Kyle Trask | Florida QB | Senior | Last week: 1
Kyle Trask got superstar tight end Kyle Pitts back for Florida, and the two promptly connected on all three of Trask’s touchdown passes in the Gators’ win over Kentucky. Trask has 34 passing scores and just three interceptions while averaging 10.3 yards per attempt (top ten in the nation) this season.
Season stats:
71.4% | 2,810 PASS YDS | 34 PASS TD | 3 INT
36 CAR | 88 RUSH YDS | 2.4 AVG
2. Mac Jones | Alabama QB | Senior | Last week: 2
While Mac Jones remains at No. 2, this Heisman race feels like it could just keep going back and forth between Trask and Jones—and that’s likely what’ll happen until the SEC Championship Game might be the deciding factor. Jones threw for 302 yards and five touchdowns in the Iron Bowl, and his top target DeVonta Smith (27 receptions for 518 yards and eight touchdowns in his past three games) deserves extra honorable mention here despite not being in the top five this week.
Season stats:
76.2% | 2,728 PASS YDS | 23 PASS TD | 3 INT
22 CAR | -3 RUSH YDS | 1 RUSH TD | -0.1 AVG
3. Trevor Lawrence | Clemson QB | Junior | Last week: 5 (+2)
Trevor Lawrence threw for 403 yards and two touchdowns in Clemson’s win against Pittsburgh, and the star quarterback is still putting up the overall numbers to garner serious Heisman consideration despite missing time with COVID-19. Lawrence cares more about his team’s success than winning the Heisman, but he needs to continue putting up massive numbers to get back into the Trask-Jones tier.
Season stats:
70.6% | 2,236 PASS YDS | 19 PASS TD | 2 INT
37 CAR | 80 RUSH YDS | 4 RUSH TD | 2.2 AVG
4. Najee Harris | Alabama RB | Senior | Last week: 3 (-1)
Najee Harris had just 13 touches in his final Iron Bowl, but he recorded 130 yards and ran for another touchdown. It won’t be crazy if Alabama gets three players from their offense as Heisman finalists this season.
Season stats:
148 CAR | 893 RUSH YDS | 17 RUSH TD | 6.0 AVG
24 REC | 244 REC YDS | 10.2 AVG
5. Zach Wilson | BYU QB | Junior | Last week: 4 (-1)
Several players could have been in these final two spots of the Heisman watch, but Zach Wilson remains in the top five. However, Wilson is hurt by BYU getting ranked lower than expected in the first College Football Playoff rankings. The appeal of an unbeaten quarterback on a potential top-five team would have been a boost for Wilson, but BYU climbing into the top five looks unlikely at this point.
Season stats:
74.3% | 2,724 PASS YDS | 26 PASS TD | 2 INT
51 CAR | 191 RUSH YDS | 8 RUSH TD | 3.7 AVG
Just missed:
Alabama WR DeVonta Smith
Buffalo RB Jaret Patterson
Ohio State QB Justin Fields
Clemson RB Travis Etienne