Fernando Mendoza gets a Heisman moment with Indiana's upset of Oregon (Photo by Indiana Athletics)
The race for the Heisman continues as players make statements in big wins. Others are looking ahead to when they’ll have a chance to make their own Heisman moments.
Heisman Top 5
Fernando Mendoza, Indiana, Quarterback, Junior
Mendoza is 109 of 153 for 1,423 yards and 17 touchdowns (third in the nation) with 133 yards and two touchdowns rushing. He had a bad throw against Oregon that was an interception returned for a touchdown, but Mendoza responded with a Hoosier touchdown drive that proved to be decisive in the 30-20 win over the Ducks.
Ty Simpson, Alabama, Quarterback, Junior
He has been good all year for Alabama, and the Tide have only grown stronger around him. In their three straight wins over ranked Georgia, Vanderbilt, and Missouri, he has 816 yards passing and eight total touchdowns.
Carson Beck, Miami, Quarterback, Senior
Beck’s numbers are the best, but he’s had big wins over Notre Dame, USF, Florida, and Florida State. He’s 102 of 139 for 1,213 yards and 12 total touchdowns. He and Miami will continue to try to make his Heisman case against Louisville this week.
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor, Quarterback, Senior
Baylor’s quarterback is the nation’s leading passer in both yards and touchdowns. He has 2,058 passing yards and 19 passing touchdowns. Baylor’s 4-2 record gives his team little margin for error to keep him in this race as they look to win, and he increases his stats lead against rival TCU this week.
Blake Horvath, Navy, Quarterback, Senior
Horvath is the nation’s ninth leading rusher in yards with 640, and is third in rushing touchdowns with eight. He also has 980 yards passing the ball and seven touchdowns through the air. Navy is a more dynamic offense than they’ve ever been, and Horvath’s ability to be effective both passing and running is why.
In the Race
Demond Williams Jr., Washington, Quarterback, Sophomore
Williams has had a great year for Washington and has a game this Saturday with a chance for a Heisman moment. If Demond Williams leads his team to a victory in Ann Arbor, his name gets mentioned in the Heisman race even more. This season, Williams is 117 of 158 for 1,628 yards and 10 touchdowns with 74 carries for 382 yards and four touchdowns rushing. He lit up Rutgers, going 21 of 27 for 402 yards and two touchdowns in the air, with 13 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
Jayden Maiava, USC, Quarterback, Junior
Maiava has 1,852 yards and 13 touchdowns, good enough for third and seventh in the nation respectfully. Expect him to get his numbers even higher as Lincoln Riley is more than willing to get his quarterbacks high numbers anyway he can to get them to be Heisman finalists.
Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Quarterback, Senior
King is like Horvath in that he’s up here because he’s so dangerous both passing and rushing. He has 440 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns (second in the nation). Through the air he has 971 yards and four touchdowns.
Julian Sayin, Ohio State, Quarterback, Freshman
Sayin is here because of his accuracy and Ohio State being the #1 team in the nation. He leads the nation with his completion percentage of 78.4 and is 5th in passing touchdowns with 15.
Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Sophomore
Smith is in a similar spot to his quarterback. He’s second in the nation with seven touchdown receptions (and has eight total this season). That, and his being on the #1 team, has been enough to keep him in the race for the Heisman. Ohio State will need to have a game where Smith and Sayin do more than stay in the race or risk being jumped and falling out completely.
Five Players Who Can Make a Move This Week
LJ Martin, BYU, Running Back, Junior
The most underrated running back in the nation, Martin’s 652 yards are seventh in the nation and a tremendous reason BYU is 6-0. Martin has a huge opportunity in the Big 12’s biggest rivalry game this week against Utah. If he goes over the century mark and gets BYU to 7-0, his stock will continue to rise.
Jonah Coleman, Washington, Running Back, Senior
A big game from Coleman against michigan will have him nearer to the front of the pack in the Heisman chase. Coleman leads the nation in total touchdowns with 12, and is seventh in all-purpose yards with 818, which is 136.3 per game.
Jeremyiah Love, Notre Dame, Running Back, Junior
Love is second in total touchdowns behind Coleman with 11. He is averaging 115 total yards per game. He’s doing that while sharing the backfield with Jadarian Price, who himself averages 114 total yards per game. A big game from Love against USC will further his case for the Heisman.
Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt, Quarterback, Senior
Pavia has 1,409 yards and 14 touchdowns through the air and 352 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. An upset of LSU this weekend would put his name more to the front of the Heisman conversation.
Joey Aguilar, Tennessee, Quarterback, Senior
Aguilar’s 1,680 yards and 14 touchdowns are getting him attention, too. And like the other five guys at this spot, he’ll need a big game and a win against a big opponent this weekend to solidify his spot in chasing the Heisman.
