Another new player takes the top spot in the Heisman rankings for the first time this season, with one week remaining for players to make their cases.
1. DeVonta Smith | Alabama WR | Senior | Last week: 3 (+2)
DeVonta Smith returned a punt for a touchdown to bolster his Heisman candidacy, and he rises to the top spot of this week’s rankings. The top two contenders—Smith’s quarterback Mac Jones (no touchdowns last week) and Florida quarterback Kyle Trask (his team coming off a loss)—didn’t put a stamp on their standing yet, and 2020 would be the year that a receiver wins the Heisman again.
Season stats:
83 REC | 1,327 REC YDS | 15 REC TD | 16.0 AVG
3 CAR | 11 RUSH YDS | 1 RUSH TD | 3.7 AVG
7 PR | 179 PR YDS | 1 PR TD | 25.6 AVG
2. Mac Jones | Alabama QB | Senior | Last week: 2
Just because Mac Jones didn’t throw a touchdown doesn’t mean he didn’t play well against Arkansas last Saturday, but Smith impacting the game on special teams is enough to allow Jones to get leapfrogged. Still, Jones remains at No. 2 heading into the SEC Championship Game, and he can make a strong final case with another outstanding performance on Saturday.
Season stats:
76.4% | 3,321 PASS YDS | 27 PASS TD | 3 INT
23 CAR | -1 RUSH YDS | 1 RUSH TD | 0.0 AVG
3. Kyle Trask | Florida QB | Senior | Last week: 1 (-2)
Kyle Trask has put up amazing numbers this season, but we’ll see if two losses are too much to overcome in the eyes of the voters. The good news is Trask has a chance for redemption from the Gators’ loss last week, as toppling Alabama and winning the SEC—paired with insane statistics—might certainly be enough to win the award despite his two interceptions (credit to LSU for great defensive plays) in the loss to the Tigers.
Season stats:
70.2% | 3,717 PASS YDS | 40 PASS TD | 5 INT
46 CAR | 50 RUSH YDS | 2 RUSH TD | 1.1 AVG
4. Trevor Lawrence | Clemson QB | Junior | Last week: 4
Missing time with COVID-19 hurt, but don’t sleep on Trevor Lawrence making a major move up the Heisman rankings in the final weekend. While D.J. Uiagelelei played very well, Lawrence’s team lost to Notre Dame in the first matchup; so a dominant performance by the preseason Heisman favorite in a convincing Clemson victory could easily vault Lawrence into the top spot during this funky year.
Season stats:
69.2% | 2,431 PASS YDS | 20 PASS TD | 3 INT
44 CAR | 121 RUSH YDS | 6 RUSH TD | 2.8 AVG
5. Najee Harris | Alabama RB | Senior | Last week: 5
He only ran for 46 yards, but Najee Harris found the end zone two more times for the Crimson Tide to bring his total to 22 (his jersey number) on the season. The lack of a consistent workhorse number of carries in an offense with an explosive passing attack made it tough for Harris to get closer to No. 1 in the rankings, but the senior running back deserves top-five mention with the season he’s had.
Season stats:
183 CAR | 1,084 RUSH YDS | 22 RUSH TD | 5.9 AVG
27 REC | 249 REC YDS | 9.2 AVG
Just missed:
Notre Dame QB Ian Book
BYU QB Zach Wilson
Buffalo RB Jaret Patterson