With a realistic repeat option starting at the top, the 2022 Heisman Trophy race should be an exciting one.
1. Bryce Young | Alabama QB | Junior
Can Bryce Young pull off the improbable and join Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner in history? If he plays like he did last year and Alabama again makes it to the College Football Playoff, we’d like his chances. Young is a magician at quarterback, and he should provide plenty of memorable moments in addition to putting up stellar numbers.
2. C.J. Stroud | Ohio State QB | Sophomore (RS)
That said, C.J. Stroud is the betting favorite entering the season. Ohio State is loaded offensively, with running back TreVeyon Henderson and receivers Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Marvin Harrison Jr. among its leading skill players. As a very accurate triggerman, Stroud should be among the nation’s leaders in passing all year.
3. Will Anderson | Alabama OLB | Junior
Will Anderson had 17.5 sacks last season and is a favorite to go first overall in the NFL draft next spring. Former Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson finished second in last year’s voting, and there might be an opening for a defensive player to win the honor this season. It also might help that voter fatigue could set in to some extent after his teammate won it last year—so if it comes down to Anderson or Young, the defensive player might actually have the advantage for once.
4. Caleb Williams | USC QB | Sophomore
Caleb Williams followed Lincoln Riley to USC, so he’s very comfortable with his new team playing in the same offense as he did at Oklahoma. Williams was also joined by top receiver Jordan Addison, who transferred from Pitt. Bringing the Trojans back to national relevance would be huge for a potential Heisman candidacy.
5. Bijan Robinson | Texas RB | Junior
And Bijan Robinson rounds out the top five as a very talented running back on a Texas squad also looking to get back to competing for a national championship. In ten games last season, Robinson ran 195 times for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding another 295 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver.