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.
4. Bryce Young, Alabama
Bryce Young’s team didn’t win on Saturday as Alabama had its 17-game winning streak against Tennessee snapped, but it certainly wasn’t the fault of the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner.
Young, who was a game-time decision, was incredible for the Crimson Tide. Tennessee grabbed a 28-10 lead at one point and many thought the Tide were dead on arrival.
However, with Young, that was far from the case. He completed 35-of-52 passes for 455 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t throw an interception and was only sacked once.
What’s truly crazy to think about is how the accuracy of a kicker is impacting the 2022 Heisman Trophy race. If Alabama’s had connected, Young might be near the top of his list again.
As it stands, Hooker is still trending up. Team results matter but that’s also why Young still has a shot. You never know, Bryce and Alabama could get another shot at Hooker and the Vols in the SEC title game, but at the very least, it will be another showdown with Georgia if they can win the SEC WEST which would require taking out a currently-unbeaten Ole Miss.
Young’s SEC title game performance was enough to win over voters a year ago and if he wills this team back to a second SEC title and another playoff appearance, he’ll have as good a chance as anyone of winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy.
3. Blake Corum, Michigan
I know that it’s been a while since a running back has won the Heisman Trophy but the position is due and Corum is pretty special.
His numbers are also looking similar to Derrick Henry’s when he was the Heisman Trophy for Alabama. The two players have the same amount of rushing yardage and right now, Corum has the edge in touchdowns with 13 which leads the nation. He also leads college football in points.
There were four Heisman Trophy reps on hand at Michigan today.
— Will Burchfield (@burchie_kid) October 15, 2022
Heisman winner Derrick Henry through 7 games in 2015: 901 rushing yards, 12 TD's.
Blake Corum through 7 games this season: 901 rushing yards, 13 TD's.
Not only that but Corum has four consecutive games with at least 120 yards and two of the defenses he faced ranked among the best in the country against the run at the time in Iowa and Penn State.
Corum was missing the signature Heisman moment but he got one in a 61-yard scamper that helped the Wolverines salt away its top-10 battle with Penn State.
Blake is still going to need a Hassan Haskins-like effort against Ohio State to probably win the award. He also needs to keep hitting 100 yards every single week. That’s just the way it works with running backs and as of now, Corum is the only non-QB with a legit shot of taking home the Heisman Trophy in 2022.
T1. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State
Ohio State fans will surely be upset if Stroud drops a little among Heisman Trophy contenders and honestly, I can’t justify pulling him from the top spot. Stroud didn’t even play last week.
This week, he’ll face one of the Big Ten’s best defenses in Iowa and it will be interesting to see if he’s able to dominate as he has against everyone else this season.
Stroud leads the country in QBR and also touchdown passes with 24 and he’s thrown at least four touchdowns in four of the six games. Stroud has been held to under 300 yards three times this season so the numbers haven’t been quite as eye-popping.
However, with Penn State coming up and Michigan down the road too, Stroud just has to keep doing what he’s been doing and he’s likely to wind up winning the award as long as the Buckeyes conquer Michigan.
“The Game” cost him a year ago and another loss in 2022 would be the end of his hopes, no matter how many yards he might throw for.
T1. Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Stroud might lead college football in QBR but Hooker is right behind him at No. 2 overall and so far, the schedule hasn’t been quite as soft as the Buckeyes, who haven’t played anyone, especially since Notre Dame is nothing but mediocre.
Tennessee, on the other hand, has been part of four AP top-25 matchups this season and in each of those games, Hooker has been nearly flawless. At the very least, the Vols would have a loss or two without him.
I get that Notre Dame was ranked too but even if that game, Stroud only tossed two touchdowns and didn’t throw for 300 yards.
Hooker accounted for 441 and five touchdowns against Alabama, as well as 461 yards of total offense in the overtime win over Florida. He had over 300 yards passing (352 total yards) against Pitt and also had 295 total yards and two touchdowns in a romp of LSU.
The game-winning drive against Alabama might be his Heisman Trophy moment. But he’s probably going to need to beat Georgia. Otherwise, it’s hard to see him overcoming Stroud if he’s able to lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten title and puts up huge numbers in the process.