Way-too-early look at top 5 Heisman Trophy candidates for 2022

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 11: The 2021 Heisman Trophy Winner quarterback Bryce Young from Alabama speaks at the 2021 Heisman Trophy Winners press conference at the at Marriott Marquis Hotel on December 11, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images) /

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Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) walks off the field during the second quarter of the NCAA football game at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Ohio State Buckeyes At Michigan Wolverines /

This shouldn’t surprise anyone. CJ Stroud was fantastic in his first year as a starting quarterback for Ohio State, passing for 3,862 yards and 38 touchdowns with just five picks. He completed 71 percent of his passes and had the nation’s best QBR for the entire season. He finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting this season behind Bryce Young, Aidan Hutchinson, and Kenny Pickett.

Stroud will be one of two Heisman finalists who were in New York to return next season and that’s exactly why he’s sitting at No. 2 here.

Although he will be losing Chris Olave and potentially other weapons on offense, he’s proven he can make just about every throw and even when people doubted him early in the season, he rose to the occasion and got the job done.

The 6-3, 215-pound freshman led the Buckeyes to a 10-2 regular season and a Rose Bowl berth and it feels like he’s just getting started. He at least has one more season in Columbus and it wouldn’t be all that shocking to see him in New York next year, too.

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