Heisman Trophy watch 2022: Top 5 candidates heading into Week 6
The 2022 Heisman Trophy race has taken some twists already during the 2022 college football season and here are our top five contenders heading into Week 6.
It’s hard to believe we have already reached Week 6 of the college football season. Most teams will be halfway done with their seasons by Sunday.
That also means that the race for the 2022 Heisman Trophy is nearly at the midway point. So far, the top of the race has been pretty stagnant but some new names have started to emerge such as Hendon Hooker, following his 400-yard day against Florida.
Those are the kinds of games that stand out. Adrian Martinez has also been pushing to add his name to the list of 2022 Heisman Trophy contenders. Jalon Daniels from Kansas is another.
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs also announced himself as a possible Heisman Trophy contender in the Tide’s win last week at Arkansas, which came without Bryce Young for a big chunk of the game.
The injury to Young, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, could have a huge impact on the race going forward. Nick Saban said sprained his AC Joint and it’s a week-to-week type of injury.
Young is still among our top five contenders but he’s fading fast and the newest name to check in on our top five list is Michigan’s Blake Corum and that’s where we begin with our latest ranking of the top five Heisman Trophy contenders for 2022.
5. Blake Corum, Michigan
I know running backs don’t usually win Heisman Trophy awards. Kenneth Walker did have a shot last season before Michigan State lost to Ohio State 56-7. That ended his Heisman candidacy.
But through six games, Blake Corum’s numbers are very similar. He’s got 611 rushing yards total and is averaging 6.6 yards per attempt. Corum also leads the nation in rushing touchdowns with 10.
His numbers woud be even better if Michigan didn’t play such a soft schedule. He didn’t reach 20 carries in a single game until Big Ten play. But he ran over Maryland for 243 yards and three scores, then followed it up with 133 yards and two TDs against Iowa, the No. 1 defense in the country which allowed just two yards per rush attempt prior to meeting Corum.
Corum is going to be the focal point of the Michigan offense and right now, the Wolverines look like they are going to be in playoff contention until the end.
If this team somehow repeats as Big Ten champs and beats Ohio State, Corum will be a big part of that and that would be enough to get him to New York and maybe more, depending on how the final numbers look.
He’s going to need nearly 2,000 total yards though and probably 20 touchdowns. It’s a high bar for running backs to win the Heisman Trophy and the numbers have to be eye-popping.