Heisman Watch 2017: Running back leads Heisman race after Week 1

Lamar Jackson put up 485 total yards in his Heisman defense, but does not top the Heisman Watch after beating Purdue. Who leads the top five after Week 1?

Last season, Lamar Jackson set the stage for his Heisman campaign with a blowout performance against Charlotte. It mattered little that his eight total touchdowns came against a Conference USA school, as he rocketed up watch lists. After a day when he threw for 286 yards and six scores and rushed for another 119 yards and two touchdowns, even those who have little reason to follow Louisville football now knew the name Lamar Jackson.

September always brings a lot of hype to players who perform well against non-conference competition of varying quality. Most of the names that make early Heisman lists fizzle out, but some like Jackson manage to have staying power that propels them all the way to the Downtown Athletic Club and the most coveted individual trophy in the sport.

Week 1 of the 2017 season offered a few opportunities for unheralded players to finally make a big name for themselves. One leads off this week’s Heisman Watch, while others are far more familiar names. In almost every case, these players didn’t even play full games over Labor Day weekend.

Each week we will update the Heisman Watch based on what has happened around the country and where players sit in the national statistical rankings. Click ahead to see the top five after the opening weekend of the 2017 season.