College Football: 5 2023 Heisman Trophy Hopefuls

College Football Heisman Trophy Hopeful – Drake Maye QB – UNC

While Drake Maye might not have the highest of odds, according to oddsmakers for BetMGM, he may very well be the 2nd best quarterback prospect heading into next season. Currently sitting at +1800 and losing some top receiving talent, Maye is considered a relatively long shot.

He lost UNC’s top receiver, Josh Downs, to the NFL this past offseason but should still have some great connections made heading into the 2023 season. There has been some talk about Maye being a generational talent and him being the type of prospect a team would love to draft in the NFL; at 6’5″ and 220 pounds, it’s easy to see why.

Last season, Maye was a stud in the passing and running game. He accumulated 4321 passing yards with 38 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 14 games last year and added 698 yards and seven rushing touchdowns. He’s the type of talent at quarterback that oozes “star” in the NFL.

College Football Heisman Trophy Hopeful – Harold Perkins LB – LSU

LSU’s Harold Perkins is another extremely dark horse type of pick from me, but I wanted to touch on it, given the hype some defensive stars have been getting in recent years. Perkins was the No. 1 recruit at his position in the class of 2022 and didn’t disappoint as a true freshman.

During his lone season in college football, Perkins had an outrageous stat line for a true freshman. In all 14 games, including the bowl game, Perkins had 72 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, one interception, and four forced fumbles. This is while figuring out his true position and scheme as a freshman and playing fewer snaps than most upperclassmen.

Give Perkins an entire season with his freakish talent as the leader for the LSU defense, and he may vault himself into the conversation. We’ve seen it recently with Aidan Hutchinson and Will Anderson Jr.; leading your team on defense with ridiculous stats will include your name in college football’s Heisman Trophy consideration.

It may be another wild long shot by me, but I expect huge things this year from LSU’s Harold Perkins and wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the running.