The Heisman Trophy is one of the strangest awards in the sports world. There’s no objective way to win…by default, people vote on the award. So, for the most part, it’s all about perception. Numbers don’t seem to matter as much as winning and having those signature “Heisman” moments, but you have to have both to win it all. We’re talking about the big time players from the big time teams in the big time conferences.
Which is unfortunate, in my opinion. I’m a strong proponent of everyone at least getting a shot, but that’s just not the way the world works. So, with that in mind, I’m taking a look at who’s who in the 2021 Heisman race so far based on who fits the seemingly arbitrary criteria laid forth by the Heisman Trust. But, if you think I’m wrong to do so, feel free to hit up the comments.
2021 HEISMAN WATCH: WEEK 13
5. Tyler Badie, Missouri RB – I don’t usually put players from losing teams in the Heisman Watch, but every now and then, I make an exception to that rule out of respect for a record-breaking performance. That’s exactly what Badie had in the loss to Arkansas on Black Friday. He set Missouri’s single season rushing record at 1,612 after a game during which he amassed 219 yards and a score on the ground. He also happens to be sitting on top of the SEC in rushing yards, and Friday’s game marked the fifth time this season he’s gone over 200 yards.
4. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest QB – Hartman continues to post numbers for one of the most prolific offenses in college football. Wake Forest needed a win on Saturday to clinch a spot in the ACC Championship, and they did just that, hanging 41 on Boston College. Hartman was 20/32 for 236 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception, with 51 yards and a score on the ground.
3. Breece Hall, Iowa State RB – Hall has been fantastic all season, creeping up to 5th in the FBS in rushing yardage with 1,472 on the season. If the Cyclones had lived up to their preseason expectations, Hall would likely be a legitimate Heisman candidate. Nonetheless, he’s been a rock for this team. Against TCU on Saturday, Hall turned 18 carries into a whopping 242 yards and three touchdowns – that’s good for a 13.4 yards-per-carry rate. He also had a receiving touchdown in Iowa State’s 48-14 rout of TCU.
2. Bryce Young, Alabama QB – There will be some detractors pointing out Auburn’s five losses and crying ‘quality of opponent’ against Young, but the Iron Bowl is the Iron Bowl, folks. It’s a massive rivalry game, and the Auburn Tigers were pretty damn desperate for a win after dropping three straight. They were up for the challenge, and they did well to completely shut down that Alabama offense for 59 minutes of the game. But, in what I would consider Young’s signature Heisman moment, he was able to take the Tide down the field and get it in the endzone to tie the game with 24 seconds left on the clock. Sure, he’s had opportunities to pad his stats all season long…but this was the first time that he was truly tested in an impossible situation and was able to dig the team out of it. He would go on to hit John Metchie III on a two-point conversion attempt that sealed the comeback effort in quadruple overtime. Young’s stat line on the game isn’t all that impressive compared to other games this season – 25/51 for 317 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and -23 rushing yards – but it was his performance in the clutch moments of this game, with Alabama’s season on life support, that just might have clinched the Heisman for him.
1. Hassan Haskins, Michigan RB – Talk about a Heisman level performance, Michigan put the game on Haskins’ shoulders on Saturday, and he ran wild with it. Haskins got off to a bit of a slow start this season, but has topped the 100-yard mark in five of Michigan’s last seven games. When it mattered most, in a game against their heated rival with a spot in the Big Ten Championship on the line as well as College Football Playoff hopes, Haskins put up an outrageous and gaudy stat line, getting 28 carries and turning it into 169 yards and five touchdowns. Haskins pretty damn near solely put Ohio State’s season to bed.
UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN WATCH POINTS STANDINGS
26. Tyler Badie, Sean Clifford, Tyrion Davis-Pryce, TreVeyon Henderson – 1
22. Brennan Armstrong, Ty Chandler, JT Daniels, Will Levis, Bailey Zappe – 2
19. Breece Hall, Hendon Hooker, Sam Howell, Malik Willis – 3
12. Zach Charbonnet, Spencer Rattler, Bijan Robinson, Brian Robinson Jr., Taulia Tagovailoa, Caleb Williams – 4
9. Jake Haener, Hassan Haskins, Will Rogers, CJ Verdell, Jameson Williams – 5
8. Tyler Allgeier – 6
7. Sam Hartman – 8
6. Kenny Pickett – 9
5. Desmond Ridder – 11
4. Matt Corral – 15
3. Kenneth Walker III – 20
2. CJ Stroud – 21
1. Bryce Young – 30
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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