2022 Heisman Trophy Watch: Top 5 candidates heading into Week 8

After a memorable week of college football and we started to see the 2022 Heisman Trophy race gain a little more clarity. 

Just as the College Football Playoff chase got a little clearer during Week 7, so did the race for the 2022 Heisman Trophy.

Two leading contenders going into Week 7 — Hendon Hooker and Bryce Young — squared off in a classic contest that ended with a game-winning field goal from the Vols as time expired.

Hooker accounted for 441 yards of total offense and five touchdown passes. Bryce Young was also spectacular throwing for 455 yards and two touchdowns. He also had his team in position to win but Alabama missed a 52-yard field goal and Young’s hope of being the hero was swiped away by Hooker who got his team in field goal range despite taking over with just 19 seconds.

Blake Corum, another contender that has been on the rise, and had himself a day against Penn State. Max Duggan also had a nice come-from-behind win against Oklahoma State as the Horned Frogs stayed undefeated.

A few 2022 Heisman Trophy contenders have emerged and we’ll break down the top five here. Just remember that Aidan Hutchinson finished as the runner-up a year ago and at this time, he wasn’t even really considered a contender.

Here are the top five 2022 Heisman Trophy candidates heading into Week 8.

5. Max Duggan, TCU

Since taking over as the starting quarterback, Max Duggan has been spectacular for TCU football. Over the past three weeks in wins over Oklahoma, Kansas, and Oklahoma State, Duggan has accounted for 12 total touchdowns and hasn’t had a game with less than three all season (as a starter).

Duggan also has the seventh-highest QBR in the country and in back-to-back weeks, came up clutch against an undefeated opponent.

You might wonder why he dropped to fifth? It’s not because he’s not a contender. He is but Bryce Young put himself right back in the mix.