The 2018 Heisman Trophy presentation is less than a month away. With Tua Tagovailoa continuing to be limited by his knee injury, the Heisman race appears to be more wide-open than it has been.
1. Tua Tagovailoa | Alabama QB | Sophomore | Last week: 1
However, despite being limited with the knee issue, Alabama’s quarterback still leads the Heisman race with a few weeks to go before the race comes to a close. Mississippi State gave Tagovailoa more trouble than anyone else to this point, but it was still a solid showing for the sophomore—and his interception was probably caused by the knee giving him trouble
Season stats:
67.9% | 2,525 YDS | 28 TD | 2 INT
37 ATT | 148 YDS | 3 TD | 4.0 AVG
2. Kyler Murray | Oklahoma QB | Senior | Last week: 2
The running game did most of the damage finishing off drives for the Sooners in their Bedlam win over Oklahoma State, but Kyler Murray played well both as a passer (21/29, 349 yards, touchdown) and a runner (14 carries, 66 yards). Oklahoma scored 48 points in the game, which actually brought down the scoring average for the Murray-led No. 3 scoring offense in the nation.
Season stats:
70.9% | 3,038 YDS | 32 TD | 5 INT
96 ATT | 640 YDS | 7 TD | 6.7 AVG
3. Dwayne Haskins | Ohio State QB | RS Sophomore | Last week: 3
It was a defensive battle against Michigan State, but Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins played well and put up solid numbers in the Buckeyes’ win. He had -11 rushing yards, but he continues to put up passing numbers and has already thrown the most pass attempts in a season in Ohio State history.
Season stats:
68.9% | 3,280 YDS | 33 TD | 6 INT
41 ATT | 38 YDS | 1 TD | 0.8 AVG
4. Jonathan Taylor | Wisconsin RB | Sophomore | Last week: 4
Wisconsin’s passing game couldn’t get anything going without starter Alex Hornibrook, so Jonathan Taylor basically carried the offense against Penn State. The nation’s leading rusher broke a 71-yard touchdown run and put up 185 yards despite the Nittany Lions clearly trying to shut him down. Despite a disappointing season for Wisconsin, Taylor remains one of the top Heisman candidates.
Season stats:
228 ATT | 1,548 YDS | 12 TD | 6.8 AVG
7 REC | 52 YDS | 7.4 AVG
5. Gardner Minshew | Washington State QB | Senior | Last week: NR
Gardner Minshew probably loves his decision to go to Washington State, as Mike Leach allows him to continue slinging the ball around. Minshew threw the ball 58 times in Washington State’s rout of Colorado, and he’s now up over 30 total touchdowns this season.
Season stats:
69.6% | 3,852 YDS | 29 TD | 7 INT
41 ATT | 86 YDS | 3 TD | 2.1 AVG
Tua has it locked if they go undefeated.
Tua is overrated product of the talent around him.