Haynes King had a great Week 1 for Georgia Tech (Photo by Georgia Tech Athletics)
It’s much too early to give a lot of serious thought about Heisman leaders and frontrunners. Some players, like Arch Manning and Jeremiah Smith, who had a lot of hype coming into this season, were a little quiet on their opening weekend. But I can’t think of any player ever winning or losing the Heisman in Week 1. Here are a few guys who showed what they had and that we could hear from again in this conversation down the road.
Joey Aguilar, Tennessee, Quarterback, Senior
Aguilar made his Tennessee debut in an ACC-SEC showdown against Syracuse. The guy Tennessee basically traded Nico Iamaleava for got his Volunteers career off to a good start. Aguilar was 16 of 28 for 247 yards and three touchdowns for Tennessee in their 45-26 victory over Syracuse.
Tommy Castellanos, Florida State, Quarterback, Senior
Castellanos talked the talk during the offseason, and he walked the walk as FSU upset Alabama 31-17. Florida State got the win behind Castellanos’ efforts. He was 9 of 14 for 152 yards passing and had 16 carries for 78 yards and a touchdown on the ground. It will be interesting to see how Castellanos keeps the momentum going after such a huge win for Florida State.
John Mateer, Oklahoma, Quarterback, Junior
It will only get tougher from here, but John Mateer showed he is ready to pick up where he left off at Washington State. Mateer was 30 of 37 for 392 yards and three touchdowns through the air. He added seven carries for 24 yards and another touchdown on the ground. Mateer gets a bigger test next week when Oklahoma plays michigan.
Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Quarterback, Senior
King didn’t have the best day throwing the football in Tech’s victory over Colorado. He was 13 of 20 for 143 yards. He did, however, have a game rushing the football that the best running backs in football would be proud of. King had 19 carries for 156 yards and three touchdowns rushing the football. Haynes King is going to have Georgia Tech get plenty of national attention this season.
Jackson Arnold, Auburn, Quarterback, Junior
Arnold got his Auburn career off on the right foot as he and the Tigers went to Waco, Texas, and beat the Big 12’s Baylor Bears. The Oklahoma transfer Jackson Arnold came up big for Auburn. Through the air, he was 11 of 17 for 108 yards, but on the ground is where he did the most damage. Arnold had 16 carries for 137 yards and two touchdowns in the 38-24 victory.
