Hendon Hooker has started to emerge in the 2022 Heisman trophy race and here is our updated list of top five contenders after Week 4 of the college football season.
We are now through four full weeks of the college football season and the 2022 Heisman Trophy race has started to take shape.
For the most part, it’s been nothing but chalk as the leading contenders going into the season, for the most part, remain the leading contenders. With two finalists back from last season as well as another in Caleb Williams who was a contender, it isn’t shocking.
Jalon Daniels of Kansas (4-0) has been spectacular and he can only be ignored for so long. He’s moved way up in terms of 2022 Heisman Trophy contenders. Michigan’s Blake Corum is another. He followed up a five-touchdown game in Week 3, with a 243-yard game in Week 4 against Maryland.
The race should start to become more clear but Hendon Hooker has been one of the best players in college football season and you’ll find him as the new entry in our ranking of 2022 Heisman Trophy contenders.
5. Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
Bennett has been stellar this season but the Bulldogs were a little lackluster against Kent State last week and so was Bennett. He didn’t throw any touchdowns and had one interception.
It’s not the end of the world and there will be plenty of chances to make an impression down the road but right now, he’s probably not even the best quarterback in the SEC East. Definitely not in the SEC, so it’s hard to bet on him as the Heisman Trophy winner.
Could he make it to New York? If he plays the way he did in the first weeks — absolutely.
4. Caleb Williams, QB, USC
Many would likely have Caleb Williams in their top three in terms of 2022 Heisman Trophy contenders but I’m going to drop him just slightly.
He’s been exceptional. But last week, the Trojans scored just 17 points and needed a late touchdown pass from Williams to sneak past unranked Oregon State.
Williams came up with a clutch drive when needed and he gets credit for that. He just hasn’t been as impressive as Hendon Hooker, who was spectacular against Florida.
Williams is in his second season as a starter and he’s thrown nine touchdowns compared to zero interceptions. He’s also ranked 10th in total QBR according to ESPN. Williams also has just one 300-yard game so far this season and is averaging 8.6 yards per attempt compared to 9.2 last year.
Again, he’s been stellar. Any college football team would be lucky to have him. But he hasn’t been good enough to be in the top three in my opinion after this past week.
3. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Don’t look now, but Tennessee football seems to be back. After two wins over teams ranked in the top 25 this season (Florida and Pittsburgh) the Vols are back in the top 10 and Josh Heupel looks like the real deal in terms of being the head coach.
Maybe his best move was landing Hendon Hooker in the transfer portal. His success last season was totally overlooked as he threw 31 touchdown passes compared to three interceptions.
This season, it’s been more of the same. Hooker is completing 71.7 percent of his passes and is averaging 10.6 yards per attempt — a full two yards higher than Caleb Williams.
Last weekend, Hooker led Tennessee to a huge win over Florida. He threw for 349 yards and also ran for 112 yards and a touchdown. That was in addition to completing 22-of-28 passes.
Against Pittsburgh, Hooker threw for 325 yards and two scores, while adding 27 yards on the ground in an overtime win. He’s the biggest reason Tennessee is 4-0 and he’s third overall in QBR according to ESPN and has at least 298 yards or more than 300 total in each game.
We’ll see if he can keep it up, but with games looming against Georgia and Alabama, Hooker and the Vols have a huge opportunity in front of them.
2. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
When it comes down to it, Bryce Young is as good as any player in college football. He’s been a little sluggish at times this season (the Texas game comes to mind), however, Young has delivered when needed and he’s starting to round into form.
I know that Vanderbilt is the worst team in the SEC. But the Commodores are looking better. Yet, there was no match for Young who threw four touchdowns in the Tide’s SEC opener.
Additionally, Young threw for 385 yards. That was the first time this season he had thrown for over 300. He did run for over 100 and had six total touchdowns against Utah State. That was impressive in its own right.
But completing 25-of-36 passes for 385 yards was good to see. Especially after Young had two interceptions against Louisiana-Monroe.
Young is holding firm right now at No. 2 and if things continue on this path, that Alabama-Tennessee game on Oct. 8 could be huge for the 2022 Heisman Trophy race.
1. C.J. Stroud
After finishing as a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2021, C.J. Stroud has been a clear favorite and has lived up to the hype.
The first game against Notre Dame was a little pedestrian but the Irish have a really strong defense. Stroud threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns and every game since then he’s thrown for at least four touchdowns and 281 yards.
Wisconsin snapped a streak Stroud had of consecutive 300-yard games. However, that’s not going to be much consolation for the Badgers, because Stroud lit them up to the tune of 281 yards and five touchdowns. It was his second straight game with at least five TD passes.
That makes it 16 for the season which is tied for first in college football. He also has the second-best QBR. The Michigan game doomed his Heisman Trophy candidacy in 2021 and it’s going to define his campaign again in 2022.
If the Buckeyes run the table, beat the Wolverines, and win the Big Ten, while Stroud puts up huge numbers, he’s likely going to win the award. But that’s easier said than done and that’s just my bet. Young, Hooker, Williams, and Bennett will all get their opportunities too.
Favorites have emerged. Yet the race is still wide open.