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.
Notables
- LEADER BOARDS: 1st in FBS in passing yards (521 YPG), 1st in FBS in passing TDs (7)
- RUSHING: 21-of-34 for 521 yards, 7 touchdowns vs 1 interception
- OTHER: 1 carry for -6 yards (1 sack)
A group of players could easily have made this spot. Holdovers from last year’s race like Jake Browning, J.T. Barrett, and Sam Darnold all had good but not overwhelmingly great games. Running backs like Ronald Jones II, Bryce Love, and Derrius Guice put up big numbers in victories. But for the No. 5 spot in the first Heisman Watch of 2017, we turned our attention instead to Missouri’s gunslinger.
Yes, it was only a game against a Missouri State team that finished 4-7 last year at the FCS level. But even then, what Drew Lock did in Columbia was still quite impressive. He now leads the nation in both passing yards per game and passing touchdowns after a 521-yard, seven-score effort against the Bears.
Lock was hardly perfect, but he didn’t really need to be in the 72-43 blowout. The third-year starter led the SEC in passing last year, and he continued to post prolific numbers heading into his junior year. Lock completed 21 of his 34 attempts and also threw an interception, but he more than made up for it with his productivity and an average of nearly 25 yards per completion.
With South Carolina looming in divisional play right away in Week 2, Lock will have the opportunity to strengthen his Heisman credentials. The veteran Tigers quarterback will also get to take on Purdue in mid-September, offering a chance to compare stats directly against last year’s Heisman winner Lamar Jackson.
Notables
- LEADER BOARDS: 1st in FBS in total touchdowns (4)
- RUSHING: 23 carries, 150 yards, 4 touchdowns
- OTHER: 4 receptions for 50 yards
During a largely disappointing 2016 season, Royce Freeman failed to break the 1000-yard mark as injuries nagged at his effectiveness. After failing to build on the promise of his 2015 sophomore season, Freeman entered 2017 mostly under the radar.
Many thought he wouldn’t even be here, especially given the limited window of opportunity for talented running backs to get paid. But Freeman came back to Eugene to play for Willie Taggart in his senior season, and he did so without much national notice. He was even left off the initial preseason Doak Walker Award watch list, only added later after justifiable outcry about his omission.
Freeman made the nation take notice in a largely academic exercise against FCS Southern Utah on Saturday. The senior running back racked up 25 carries for 150 yards and four touchdowns. In the process, Freeman took the national lead in terms of both rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns scored.
Big games against Nebraska’s defense could vault him further up the Heisman race next week. The award is not won in September, but Freeman is certainly making his name noticed once again this month.
Notables
- LEADER BOARDS: 2nd nationally in total offense (485 YPG)
- PASSING: 30-of-46 for 378 yards, 2 touchdowns vs 0 interceptions
- OTHER: 21 carries for 107 yards (0 sacks), 1 fumble lost
Last year’s Heisman winner is back for Louisville, and Lamar Jackson made a solid case to start his trophy defense. He completed 65 percent of his passes on the road against Purdue for 378 yards and tossed two touchdowns. Jackson also racked up 107 yards on the ground after carrying 21 times.
After an electric redshirt sophomore season, Jackson showcased his arm and his legs in West Lafayette. But it took a while for the Cardinals to get into the game, as three costly fumbles (including one by Jackson) stalled the Louisville offense.
The defending title holder is on an unbeaten team, albeit one with plenty of wrinkles to iron out before ACC play begins. For now he remains in the top three of the race after vaulting up to second in the country in total offense generated.
It is always going to be hard for a Heisman winner to replicate and surpass his previous feats. Only one player has actually managed to successfully defend a Heisman, but Jackson certainly got a good statistical start as he tries to become the second.
Notables
- LEADER BOARDS: 2nd nationally in QB efficiency after Week 1 (282.7)
- PASSING: 19-of-20 for 329 yards, 3 touchdowns vs 0 interceptions
- OTHER: 2 carries for -8 yards (1 sack)
In just one half of play, Baker Mayfield was nearly perfect for Oklahoma. The quarterback completed his first 16 passing attempts before throwing an incompletion on the last series of the first half. Mayfield rebounded from that miss to throw three more complete passes.
By halftime, he had amassed a ridiculous 95 percent completion rate on 19-of-20 passing. Mayfield piled up 329 yards and three touchdowns in two quarters. Then he took a seat as Kyler Murray got reps for the Sooners in a comprehensive blowout of UTEP. There was little to no reason to risk him further on an afternoon where he had already put up stats worthy of a full day’s work.
Unlike Lamar Jackson, Mayfield doesn’t really bring a running dimension to the table. But what he lacks in rushing potential, Mayfield more than makes up for with efficient passing ability. He moves around well in the pocket, and his quick release allows Mayfield to avoid sacks.
With Oklahoma breaking in a new backfield, the quarterback will pass even more in 2017. More big days through the air will burnish Mayfield’s Heisman portfolio as the season proceeds along.
Notables
- LEADER BOARDS: 1st in FBS in all-purpose yardage (246 YPG)
- RUSHING: 14 carries, 172 yards, 2 touchdowns
- OTHER: 3 receptions for 54 yards, 1 kick return for 20 yards
Penn State actually didn’t give many carries to its star running back to begin its home opener against Akron. Saquon Barkley didn’t touch the ball on the first offensive series. He started the next drive with 22 yards on three straight carries, but then was forgotten about once again.
Once Joe Moorhead remembered the weapon at his disposal, though, Barkley went off. On his 14 carries against Akron, Barkley averaged 12.3 yards per rush and racked up two touchdowns on the ground. He added another 20 yards on a kick return and 54 yards on three receptions, including a long wheel route that went for over 40 yards.
Barkley certainly wasn’t overshadowed by quarterback play in this game. All signs point to the Penn State offense only being as dangerous as Barkley is effective. He will need to remain healthy if Penn State is going to have a shot at repeating as Big Ten champions. And if they do repeat as Big Ten champs, Barkley will be holding the Nittany Lions’ second Heisman in school history.
Next: Why FSU vs Bama was 2017's most meaningless game
He saw limited play against a MAC opponent, as was to be expected. Yet Barkley still leads the nation in all-purpose yardage. He was efficient and ruthless against the Zips, averaging 13.7 yards on all touches to start 2017 off on a winning note in Happy Valley.