USC’s Caleb Williams remains the heavy betting favorite to win, but this could be the most unpredictable Heisman Trophy voting in quite some time.
1. Caleb Williams | USC QB | Sophomore | Last week: 1
Caleb Williams was called a virtual lock to win the honor last week, but a dreadful Pac-12 title game performance for the Trojans as a team makes that much more questionable after the weekend. Williams was injured in the loss, which USC had led 17-3, so that will likely be taken into account by the voters. Overall, Williams had an outstanding 2022 campaign, with 47 total touchdowns while helping his team get to an 11-2 record and a New Year’s Six Bowl game. And the painted fingernails (painting “F*** [opponent name]”) doesn’t really scream as classy and Heisman-like. However, though Williams is probably not a total lock anymore, he’s the deserving favorite.
Season stats:
66.1% | 4,075 PASS YDS | 37 PASS TD | 4 INT
109 CAR | 372 RUSH YDS | 10 RUSH TD | 3.4 AVG
2. Stetson Bennett | Georgia QB | Senior | Last week: NR
The Heisman Trophy is “awarded to the outstanding college football player… whose performance epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.” A former walk-on that had to go to junior college before going back to Georgia and climbing up the depth chart, Stetson Bennett might be the best description of that diligence, perseverance, and hard work in college football. The national champion dual threat quarterback was excellent in airing it out all year, and he should get serious Heisman consideration—at least an invite to New York—in a season like this after helping the Dawgs go unbeaten and win the SEC.
Season stats:
67.9% | 3,425 PASS YDS | 20 PASS TD | 6 INT
47 CAR | 184 RUSH YDS | 7 RUSH TD | 3.9 AVG
3. Max Duggan | TCU QB | Senior | Last week: 5 (+2)
TCU quarterback Max Duggan was all heart in the Big 12 Championship loss to Kansas State, playing to the point of total exhaustion to help the Horned Frogs force overtime in the eventual defeat. Despite the loss, TCU still made the College Football Playoff, and Duggan’s clutch play throughout the campaign is a big reason they were able to do so after starting the season unranked. Duggan—who also showed major perseverance throughout his career after coming back from heart surgery—is going to get his share of first-place votes.
Season stats:
64.9% | 3,321 PASS YDS | 30 PASS TD | 4 INT
112 CAR | 404 RUSH YDS | 6 RUSH TD | 3.6 AVG
4. Bo Nix | Oregon QB | Senior | Last week: 2 (-2)
The ankle injury toward the end of the season made it difficult for Bo Nix and the Ducks to potentially win the Pac-12 and make the CFP, but the transfer quarterback was awesome in 2022 and should be a Heisman finalist.
Season stats:
71.5% | 3,388 PASS YDS | 27 PASS TD | 6 INT
84 CAR | 504 RUSH YDS | 14 RUSH TD | 6.0 AVG
2 REC | 36 REC YDS | 1 REC TD | 18.0 AVG
5. C.J. Stroud | Ohio State QB | Sophomore (RS) | Last week: 3 (-2)
The favorite for much of the season, C.J. Stroud drops to No. 5 in the final Heisman rankings—and there are plenty of candidates (J.J. McCarthy being among them) that could be here over him. Still, Stroud led a banged up offense to just one loss and a (controversial) playoff appearance.
Season stats:
66.2% | 3,340 PASS YDS | 37 PASS TD | 6 INT
35 CAR | 74 RUSH YDS | 2.1 AVG
Dropped out:
Alabama QB Bryce Young