A dual threat SEC quarterback emphatically enters the early 2022 Heisman Trophy discussion.
1. Bryce Young | Alabama QB | Junior | Last week: 1
The start of SEC play was not much of a problem for Bryce Young, who looked as good as he has early this season while torching Vanderbilt for 385 yards and four touchdowns. Young didn’t have to do much damage on the ground (one carry, six yards), but that might change this Saturday against Arkansas.
Season stats:
68.6% | 1,029 PASS YDS | 13 PASS TD | 2 INT
16 CAR | 150 RUSH YDS | 2 RUSH TD | 9.4 AVG
2. C.J. Stroud | Ohio State QB | Sophomore (RS) | Last week: 4 (+2)
After five more touchdowns and 281 yards passing in a comfortable win over Wisconsin, C.J. Stroud is back up to No. 2 in the Heisman race. Stroud threw his first interception of the season in the home victory, but he’s already up to 16 touchdown passes through four games.
Season stats:
70.5% | 1,222 PASS YDS | 16 PASS TD | 1 INT
7 CAR | 9 RUSH YDS | 1.3 AVG
3. Stetson Bennett | Georgia QB | Senior (RS) | Last week: 2 (-1)
Tight end Brock Bowers had two rushing touchdowns for Georgia on Saturday and also deserves strong Heisman recognition. His quarterback Stetson Bennett ran for another touchdown but didn’t throw any in the win versus Kent State.
Season stats:
74.2% | 1,224 PASS YDS | 5 PASS TD | 1 INT
13 CAR | 44 RUSH YDS | 4 RUSH TD | 3.4 AVG
4. Hendon Hooker | Tennessee QB | Senior (RS) | Last week: NR
Hendon Hooker went 22/28 for 349 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 112 yards and a touchdown on the ground in Tennessee’s 38-33 win against Florida. It was the type of performance you expect to see from a Heisman contender, and there’ll be plenty of big games left on the Volunteers’ schedule for Hooker to continue to make noise in the award race.
Season stats:
71.4% | 1,170 PASS YDS | 7 PASS TD
35 CAR | 175 RUSH YDS | 3 RUSH TD | 5.0 AVG
5. Bijan Robinson | Texas RB | Junior | Last week: 3 (-2)
Bijan Robinson had a costly fumble against Texas Tech, but it shouldn’t overshadow how spectacularly he’s otherwise played this season. Robinson ran for 101 yards and a touchdown on just 16 carries in the loss to the Red Raiders. Minnesota running back Mohamed Ibrahim (567 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns) deserves an honorable mention here after helping his team blow out Michigan State.
Season stats:
67 CAR | 414 RUSH YDS | 7 RUSH TD | 6.2 AVG
8 REC | 154 REC YDS | 1 REC TD | 19.2 AVG
Dropped out:
Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr.