A loaded year at quarterback could make it a crowded race, but Marvin Harrison Jr. lands in the top five for the first Heisman rankings of 2023.
1. Caleb Williams | USC QB | Junior
Williams is the clear favorite to take home the Heisman Trophy for the second year in a row, which isn’t surprising after throwing for 4,537 yards with a 42:5 touchdown-interception ratio in his first season at USC. The junior quarterback not only puts up big-time numbers, but also dazzles with his playmaking ability and arm talent.
2. Bo Nix | Oregon QB | Senior
Memes about Nix being a Heisman contender have become reality, as he was one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in 2022 and has high confidence heading into his second season with the Ducks. Oregon is right behind USC in the Pac-12, and Nix leading them to a conference championship could be enough to make him the school’s first Heisman winner since Marcus Mariota.
3. Marvin Harrison Jr. | Ohio State WR | Junior
DeVonta Smith is the lone wideout to hoist the Heisman over the past 30 years, but Harrison is considered a generational talent with an extreme amount of hype entering the season. Showing out in big games for Ohio State—and there are a few on the schedule—should at least make Harrison a finalist.
4. Drake Maye | North Carolina QB | Junior
Although somewhat of a longshot based on betting odds, Maye is a top prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft and gets early out-of-conference matchups versus South Carolina and Minnesota to quickly establish himself as a contender. Maye is a dual-threat passer and had 45 total touchdowns in 2022.
5. Jayden Daniels | LSU QB | Senior
There are other quarterbacks such as Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy that have a case to make the top five heading into the fall, but Daniels is the primary frontrunner behind Caleb Williams with high expectations for LSU. The key is keeping up last year’s efficiency (17:3 touchdown-interception ratio and 11 rushing touchdowns) on higher volume with more team success.