Heisman Trophy Watch 2017: A new contender rises in Week 5

The Heisman pecking order shifted a bit after the weekend results, opening the door for new contenders. Here is the Heisman Trophy watch top five after Week 5.

Now that we have passed through the first month of the season, every team in the country is at least a quarter of the way through its regular-season schedule. Standout single-game performances have been normalized with the addition of more data points. Those talents that remain atop statistical leaderboards have demonstrated an ability to maintain that level of play week after punishing week.

The Heisman Trophy, though, isn’t necessarily awarded to the player who produces the most consistently dominant numbers. And it is also worth noting that the Heisman has become an award exclusive to offensive skill players. After all, you won’t find a player like Utah State’s Jalen Davis on this week’s Heisman Watch or on anybody else’s list of contenders.

Davis has been among the most dominant cornerbacks in the country at this point of the season. He has returned three of his five interceptions through September for defensive touchdowns. But a combination of playing in the Mountain West and playing at the wrong position will keep him from even getting a sniff at the Heisman. He put in another dominant performance this weekend as the Aggies down state rival BYU, but few noticed and fewer will give it the attention it deserves.

With all that in mind, there have been plenty of other impressive displays that match the criteria favored by Heisman voters. Who stepped up biggest in Week 5 to bolster his claim on the venerated stiffarm trophy? Keep reading for our top five at this juncture of the race in this week’s Heisman Trophy Watch.