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 9
5. Sam Hartman, Wake Forest QB – I think we had the wrong ACC quarterback last week when we were lobbying for Kenny Pickett to get a little more love in the Heisman discussion. Hot DAMN look at Sam Hartman’s stats this season, as Wake Forest has started 8-0 for the first time in the program’s history. He went 24/37 for 402 yards and three touchdowns, with 61 yards and two scores on the ground. He’s 9th in the FBS with 22 touchdowns (just three interceptions on the season), and is 5th in the FBS in passer rating. It’s time to start talking about Hartman as a legitimate Heisman contender.
4. Tyler Allgeier, BYU RB – This dude just…keeps…running. We’re witnessing some really good rushing seasons in college football this year, but Allgeier deserves to be up there in the top five with the Walkers and Robinsons (both) of the world. He now has 1,132 yards on the season, which is good for 3rd in the FBS at the moment. Against a game Virginia squad, Allgeier posted a gaudy 266 yards and FIVE touchdowns.
T3. Malik Willis, Liberty QB – I know putting a tie in the Heisman Watch is a copout, but I make the rules on this column, and I want to take this opportunity to mention a couple of guys that belong in the bigger picture of the season that I haven’t written about yet. First up, Liberty’s Malik Willis. He entered the season as a potential first round NFL Draft pick, and has helped get Liberty to a 7-2 record. He leads the team in both passing and rushing, and on Saturday, went 19/27 for 307 yards and four touchdowns. He now has 30 total touchdowns on the season.
T3. Sean Tucker, Syracuse RB – Tucker’s the other guy that is having a special season that’s flying under the radar. Syracuse is 5-4, but a 10-point loss to Rutgers in Week 2 is their only decisive loss of the season. They lost three games in a row by a field goal each, and could just as easily be 8-1 as 5-4. Part of their success is Tucker running wild. He had a whopping 207 yards and a touchdown against Boston College, and is leading the FBS in rushing yards with 1,267 on the season.
2. Caleb Williams, Oklahoma QB – Williams continues to be a spark for an Oklahoma Sooners team that looks like the shakiest 9-0 football team of all time. He was absolutely electric against Texas Tech on Saturday, going 23/30 for 402 yards and SIX touchdowns. It was his fourth straight game with a QBR of at least 95. He is going to be a superstar in college football for years to come.
1. Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State RB – Walker had a big time Heisman moment on Saturday. When the Michigan Wolverines got up by two scores, Walker put the team on his back and helped to will them to victory. Whether you agree with it or not, moments like that are part of the equation for Heisman voters, and Walker played like a champ as the Spartans improved to 8-0 on the season. He ran for 197 yards and five touchdowns in the monumental win, and crossed the 1K mark for the season in process. Walker now has 1,194 yards on the season – good for 2nd in the FBS.
UPDATED SOBROS HEISMAN WATCH POINTS STANDINGS
22. Sean Clifford, Tyrion Davis-Pryce, TreVeyon Henderson – 1
19. Brennan Armstrong, JT Daniels, Will Levis – 2
17. Sam Howell, Malik Willis – 3
10. Zach Charbonnet, Kenny Pickett, Spencer Rattler, Bijan Robinson, Brian Robinson Jr., Taulia Tagovailoa, Caleb Williams – 4
8. Jake Haener, CJ Verdell – 5
6. Tyler Allgeier, Sam Hartman – 6
5. CJ Stroud – 7
4. Desmond Ridder – 8
3. Matt Corral – 15
2. Kenneth Walker III – 18
1. Bryce Young – 22
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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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