Early this year has been all about the quarterbacks in the Heisman Trophy race, and the position again easily makes up the top five of the first rankings for October.
1. Caleb Williams | USC QB | Junior | Last week: 1
The first interception thrown by Caleb Williams helped Colorado get back in the game, but the superstar quarterback was otherwise phenomenal in helping USC get to 5-0, going 30/40 for 403 yards and six touchdowns. If the Trojans keep having success as a team within the competitive Pac-12, it’s probably going to be difficult to deny Williams a second straight Heisman Trophy.
Season stats:
74.5% | 1,603 PASS YDS | 21 PASS TD | 1 INT
26 CAR | 83 RUSH YDS | 3 RUSH TD | 3.2 AVG
2. Bo Nix | Oregon QB | Senior | Last week: 3 (+1)
Bo Nix has now completed over 84.4% of his passes in three out of his five games this season, and he is leading the Ducks to 51.6 points per game this season (second to only USC at 53.6). Three consecutive ranked matchups are on the slate for Oregon, and Nix will have plenty of opportunities to make his case to the voters.
Season stats:
80.4% | 1,459 PASS YDS | 15 PASS TD | 1 INT
19 CAR | 87 RUSH YDS | 1 RUSH TD | 4.6 AVG
3. Michael Penix Jr. | Washington QB | Senior | Last week: 2 (-1)
While Michael Penix Jr. drops one spot this week, he’s right there in the mix behind Williams as things currently stand—and he has off before a critical matchup with fellow Heisman contender Bo Nix and Oregon on October 14. Penix didn’t throw a touchdown in the 31-24 win over Arizona last week, but he threw for 363 yards.
Season stats:
74.7% | 1,999 PASS YDS | 16 PASS TD | 2 INT
8 CAR | 9 RUSH YDS | 1.1 AVG
4. Quinn Ewers | Texas QB | Sophomore (RS) | Last week: 4
In addition to his passing ability, Quinn Ewers has been doing damage on the ground for Texas, adding two more rushing touchdowns in a rout of Kansas over the weekend. Ewers is up to ten passing touchdowns along with five rushing touchdowns this season.
Season stats:
66.0% | 1,358 PASS YDS | 10 PASS TD | 1 INT
25 CAR | 74 RUSH YDS | 5 RUSH TD | 3.0 AVG
5. Jordan Travis | Florida State QB | Senior (RS) | Last week: 5
The final spot this week was especially tough. Jordan Travis and Florida State had a bye, and there were some strong performances from others including Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel and Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (even in a loss). Travis remains in the top five, but there’s plenty of time for other players to make a push up the rankings.
Season stats:
61.2% | 1,028 PASS YDS | 10 PASS TD | 1 INT
23 CAR | 94 RUSH YDS | 2 RUSH TD | 4.1 AVG