After one week, there’s obviously still plenty of time for the best players in the nation to separate themselves in the race for the 2018 Heisman Trophy. This is where the race stands heading into the second full weekend of the season.
1. Jonathan Taylor | Wisconsin RB | Sophomore | Last week: 2
Jonathan Taylor picked up right where he left off last season, going over 100 yards with two touchdowns in the first half against Western Kentucky. For the game, the true sophomore had 18 carries for 145 yards (8.1 yards per carry) and the two scores. Taylor should be put similarly impressive numbers this week against New Mexico.
Season stats:
18 ATT | 145 YDS | 8.1 AVG | 2 TD
2. Trace McSorley | Penn State QB | Senior | Last week: 3
Appalachian State has shown over the years they are certainly no cakewalk, and they nearly delivered a September stunner in Happy Valley against Penn State. It would have been a sizable blow to Trace McSorley’s Heisman chances, but McSorley came up clutch at the end of regulation and in overtime, which is what you expect from perhaps the best quarterback in the nation.
Season stats:
58.3% | 230 YDS | 1 TD
12 ATT | 53 YDS | 4.4 AVG | 2 TD
3. Will Grier | West Virginia QB | Senior | Last week: NR
West Virginia rolled over SEC opponent Tennessee in the opener, and Will Grier was at the center of it with five passing touchdowns—including two to fellow Heisman candidate David Sills. Grier might toss another five scores this week against Youngstown State, which would be quite the start to the year for the senior quarterback.
Season stats:
73.5% | 429 YDS | 5 TD
4. Dwayne Haskins | Ohio State QB | RS Sophomore | Last week: NR
Ohio State’s quarterback also threw five touchdowns in the opener, as Dwayne Haskins helped lead the Buckeyes to 77 points against Oregon State. Running back Mike Weber (186 yards, three touchdowns) helped make it a balanced attack that’ll be tough to stop. This week against Rutgers could be another blowout—and more huge numbers for Haskins.
Season stats:
73.3% | 313 YDS | 5 TD | 1 INT
2 ATT | 24 YDS | 12.0 AVG
5. Bryce Love | Stanford RB | Senior | Last week: 1
San Diego State absolutely shut down Bryce Love, who was seemingly hit in the backfield on every carry and simply had nowhere to run. But Love is such a good player that he remains in the top five of the Heisman Watch. And the good news is quarterback K.J. Costello and wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside (six receptions, 226 yards, three touchdowns) took advantage of the Aztecs attempting to take Love out of the game, so defenses might have to pick-their-poison when facing the Cardinal. Love will put up numbers.
Season stats:
18 ATT | 29 YDS | 1.6 AVG
3 REC | 18 YDS | 6.0 AVG
Falling: J.K. Dobbins (4 LW), D’Andre Swift (5 LW)
That was surprising Love got shut down.