Photo by the Heisman Trust
Heisman Watch
With talented and deep pool in the Heisman Race this year, after the first month is in the books, there many names still in the running. Here are a few of them, how they are doing, and what’s ahead for them.
Caleb Williams, USC, Quarterback, Junior. (USC 5-0)
If Williams repeats, the biggest reason will be that no matter who they play, they’ll need games like this from him to win. Oregon shut down Colorado and USC couldn’t stop them at all. Luckily Williams gives them the chance to shoot it out with anyone. He was 30 of 40 for 403 yards and six touchdowns. On the season he is 105 of 141 for 1,603 yards and 24 total touchdowns. The bad news for him is the teams still on schedule play defense immensely better than the teams he’s beaten so far.
Quinn Ewers, Texas, Quarterback, Junior. (Texas 5-0)
Ewers heroics against Alabama were a Heisman moment and as the season goes on and both Texas and Alabama keep winning it keeps looking better. He has the same chance with their game against Oklahoma on Saturday. Against Kansas he was 25 of 35 for 325 yards and a touchdown passing with seven carries for 40 yards and two touchdowns rushing. For the year he is 97 of 147 for 1,358 yards, and 15 total touchdowns.
Michael Penix, Washington, Quarterback, Senior. (Washington 5-0)
The left-hander just keeps racking up the yards. He was 30 of 40 for 363 yards against Arizona. One of the biggest assets to his Heisman candidacy is that he’ll have a chance to go head-to-head with other Heisman front runners with a chance to out duel and out shine them. On the season he is 133 of 178 for 1,999 yards and 16 touchdowns.
Bo Nix, Oregon, Quarterback, Senior. (5-0)
Bo Nix just keeps on throwing completions. He was 27 of 32 for 290 yards and four touchdowns against Stanford. Nix doesn’t even have to run this year like last year and is showing off his skills as a pure passer. BO out did fellow candidate Shedeur Sanders and has the chance to do the same to Michael Penix and Caleb Williams. So far this season he is 131 of 163 for 1,459 yards with 16 total touchdowns.
Ray Davis, Kentucky, Running Back, Senior . (Kentucky 5-0)
Davis grabbed attention by running all over Florida with 26 carries for 280 yards and four total touchdowns. He’s more than just one game this year though as he has 76 carries for 594 yards and 14 total touchdowns. He’s one of the leading players in the nation this year with touchdowns scored and has a big opportunity against Georgia next.
On the Radar
Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma, Quarterback, Senior. (Oklahoma 5-0)
Gabriel has the Sooners offense looking night and day different from last year and he’ll get his stiffest test to date against Texas this week. Against Iowa State he was dominant. He was 26 of 39 for 366 yards with 5 total touchdowns. In 2023, he is 118 of 157 for 1,593 yards and 19 total touchdowns and is in the Heisman race.
Shedeur Sanders, Colorado, Quarterback, Junior. (Colorado 3-2)
The only reason he’s not higher is because of their 3-2 record. There’s still time for Sanders to get back to the front of the Heisman race. In the loss to USC he was 30 of 45 for 371 yards and four touchdowns with 14 carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. At Colorado he is 160 of 214 for 1,781 yards with 17 total touchdowns.
Blake Corum, Michigan, Running Back, Senior. (Michigan 5-0)
Corum’s numbers are a little behind were he was last year but as we get into October and November it becomes running back weather. Especially in the Midwest. He’ll have a game for running backs to steal the show against Minnesota on Saturday. On the year he has 74 carries 425 yards and nine touchdowns.
Players of the Week
Ray Davis, Kentucky, Running Back, Senior . (Kentucky 5-0)
Davis’ monster game against Florida grabbed national attention and he has a chance to do that even more against Georgia.
Brock Bowers, Georgia, Tight End, Junior. (Georgia 5-0)
Bowers saved Georgia from being upset by Auburn. His eight catches, 157 yards, and a touchdown almost all came in the second half and allowed Georgia to leave Auburn with the win. On the year he has 30 catches for 413 yards and four total touchdowns. If he gets the plays the rest of the year like he did against the Tigers his strength in the Heisman race will grow.
Games and Players to Watch on Saturday
The Red River Shootout: Texas vs. Oklahoma
Quinn Ewers and Dillon Gabriel. The winner of the Red River Shootout will have the inside track to win the Big 12, make the College Football Playoff, and have their best player be a Heisman finalist. It should be as good or better than Caleb Williams and Shedeur Sanders were last week.
Kentucky at Georgia
Ray Davis and Brock Bowers will have a similar matchup with Kentucky at Georgia. The winner will have the fast lane to the SEC Championship game and all the national attention they want. The surprises of the Heisman Watch, Davis and Bowers both have a path to New York if they build off performances in which they carried their team on their shoulders.
