This week’s Heisman watch gets another quarterback back into the rankings and near the top.
1. C.J. Stroud | Ohio State QB | Sophomore (RS) | Last week: 1
C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes were on a bye, but he narrowly remains in the top spot over the next two guys on the list. Stroud plays Iowa at home this Saturday before a matchup at Penn State to end October.
Season stats:
70.6% | 1,737 PASS YDS | 24 PASS TD | 3 INT
10 CAR | 4 RUSH YDS | 0.4 AVG
2. Hendon Hooker | Tennessee QB | Senior (RS) | Last week: NR
You can argue that Hendon Hooker benefited from the pass interference call on a late interception, but give the senior quarterback all the credit in the world for stepping up and throwing a dime to Bru McCoy to put his team into position for the game-winning field goal to cap off a sensational performance. Receiver Jalin Hyatt, who caught all five touchdowns from Hooker, also deserves a shoutout here.
Season stats:
70.0% | 1,817 PASS YDS | 15 PASS TD | 1 INT
59 CAR | 287 RUSH YDS | 3 RUSH TD | 4.9 AVG
3. Bryce Young | Alabama QB | Junior | Last week: 2 (-1)
After missing one game with the shoulder issue, Bryce Young went into Knoxville and did about all you can ask of him in Alabama’s 52-49 loss. Young threw for 455 yards and two touchdowns, helping his team battle back from a 28-10 deficit to be in position to win the game. The junior quarterback will remain in the mix all season.
Season stats:
67.2% | 1,657 PASS YDS | 16 PASS TD | 3 INT
22 CAR | 150 RUSH YDS | 3 RUSH TD | 6.8 AVG
4. D.J. Uiagalelei | Clemson QB | Junior | Last week: 3 (-1)
Somehow, despite playing for a top team in Clemson, D.J. Uiagalelei performing like one of the best quarterbacks in the country has been going under the radar. After Uiagalelei was off slightly to start the game on Saturday night, he turned it on in the second quarter and threw three touchdowns while also adding another score in the ground. D.J. is up to 21 total touchdowns through seven games.
Season stats:
64.0% | 1,665 PASS YDS | 17 PASS TD | 2 INT
81 CAR | 337 RUSH YDS | 4 RUSH TD | 4.2 AVG
5. Israel Abanikanda | Pittsburgh RB | Junior | Last week: 4 (-1)
This race remains wide open after several weeks, and a few players include Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and Blake Corum all could be included in the top five. Israel Abanikanda gets the nod for now, though, dropping one spot after he and Pitt had a bye last week.
Season stats:
129 CAR | 830 RUSH YDS | 12 RUSH TD | 6.4 AVG
4 REC | 59 REC YDS | 1 REC TD | 14.8 AVG
Dropped out:
Texas RB Bijan Robinson