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 10
5. Jameson Williams, Alabama WR – Williams has really turned it on in the last four games, and he’s starting to look like one of if not the best wide receiver in the country right now. In the scare vs. LSU, Williams caught 10 balls for 160 yards and a touchdown. In his last four, he’s amassed 506 yards and four touchdowns on 28 catches. It may be too little too late for him to become a serious contender, but he at least belongs on our radar from here on out.
4. Ty Chandler, North Carolina RB – North Carolina-Wake Forest was an absolute electric factory as the Tar Heels knocked off the Demon Deacons. Chandler turned 22 carries into a whopping 216 yards and FOUR touchdowns. Y’all know me by now…you know the rules…you have a game like that against a quality opponent, you automatically get a spot in that week’s Heisman Watch. Welcome to the list, Ty Chandler.
3. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee QB – 15/20 with a lost fumble might not look all that gaudy, but consider that it amounted to 316 yards and four passing touchdowns, and that’s pretty damn good. Plus, this week’s Heisman Watch is kind of slow – Kenneth Walker III and Sam Hartman couldn’t put their teams on their backs and get wins. Bryce Young and Desmond Ridder didn’t exactly look their best. And, Matt Corral wasn’t as prolific as we’re used to seeing. So, I’m going to take this opportunity to slide Hooker onto this year’s list and write about the impact he’s had on this Vols offense all season.
Yeah, I like 316 yards, four scores, and 45 points against a good Kentucky defense, on the road in Lexington. But, this is more about his season as a whole. The Vols are definitely ahead of schedule under Josh Heupel, but we didn’t really see this offense start to go until Hooker took over at quarterback. Now, it’s one of the most fun teams to watch – the way they push tempo and just run up and down the field on offense is incredible. Hooker has posted 21 touchdowns to just two interceptions (with four rushing touchdowns as well) since coming into the Pitt game back in September. He’s proven to be in firm command of Heupel’s offense, and in addition to upsetting Kentucky, this team had a real shot at taking down Ole Miss, and they were competitive against Alabama before the depth finally wore them down. This program is undoubtedly on the right track.
Hooker deserves a little love – even though the Vols are just 5-4, he has been a spark for this team, and they now look like they’re a lock for a bowl game when we didn’t know if this team would be able to say that this season. They have Georgia this week, but in closing against South Alabama and Vanderbilt, they just may clinch a winning season and end up in one of the better Florida bowls. We’ll see.
2. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh QB – Pickett and that Pitt offense got back on track against lowly Duke and the Panthers quarterback got the chance to pad his stats. He did just that – going 28/43 for 416 yards, three passing touchdowns, with 57 rushing yards and a rushing score to go with it.
1. CJ Stroud, Ohio State QB – The Buckeyes have won seven in a row since losing to Oregon, and their quarterback is one of the biggest reasons for their success. If you didn’t acknowledge him before, it’s time to acknowledge Stroud as a legitimate Heisman candidate now considering the season he’s having. Against Nebraska, he went 36/54 for 405 yards and two scores. He did have a couple of picks, but I like I said earlier, look at all the Heisman frontrunners this week and tell me who was noticeably better than Stroud. I don’t think any of ’em were. Those picks he threw on Saturday were the first ones he’d thrown in five games prior to it. Stroud now has 25 touchdowns on the season.
UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN WATCH POINTS STANDINGS
24. Sean Clifford, Tyrion Davis-Pryce, TreVeyon Henderson, Jameson Williams – 1
20. Brennan Armstrong, Ty Chandler, JT Daniels, Will Levis – 2
17. Hendon Hooker, Sam Howell, Malik Willis – 3
11. Zach Charbonnet, Spencer Rattler, Bijan Robinson, Brian Robinson Jr., Taulia Tagovailoa, Caleb Williams – 4
9. Jake Haener, CJ Verdell – 5
7. Tyler Allgeier, Sam Hartman – 6
5. Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder – 8
4. CJ Stroud – 12
3. Matt Corral – 15
2. Kenneth Walker III – 18
1. Bryce Young – 22
If you haven’t already, be sure to go subscribe to the College Football Roundup Podcast, on which Steven McCash and myself break down all the action from the college football world and look ahead to the week to come.
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
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.
