Heisman Trophy watch 2021: Top 5 candidates after Week 2

Heisman Candidate No. 3: CJ Verdell, RB, Oregon

Every Heisman trophy candidacy, at least the serious ones, needs to have that defining moment and so far, the only guy with anything like that is Oregon’s C.J. Verdell.

Verdell was the best player on the field in Oregon’s win over Ohio State and while his final numbers of 195 total yards, including 161 on the ground, as well as three touchdowns, were impressive — it was his 77-yard run in the quarter that announced him as a Heisman contender.

https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/1436757545088028673

The touchdown came with Oregon leading 14-7 and it was early in the third quarter. It was also at that moment, that it really felt like Ohio State was going to lose, which it did.

Verdell’s numbers aren’t eye-popping for two games as he has 238 rushing yards and just over 260 total. But he’s rushed for over 1,000 yards twice in his career and if he can rack up yards the way he did last Saturday, and the Ducks keep racking up wins, he should have a shot.

He can’t afford any down weeks though. At least very few. Running backs need very good production to win the Heisman, which for Verdell is going to mean something like 1,500 rushing yards as a minimum.