Heisman Watch: Week 14
College Football is rapidly reaching the end of its regular season, thus the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy are narrowing week by week. Let's discuss the top four candidates for college football’s most prestigious individual award.
Kyle Trask, Quarterback, Florida
Kyle Trask has brought the Florida Gators back ino the national spotlight for the first time since Tim Tebow led the Gators to SEC and National Championships. Despite a postponed matchup versus LSU and losing a close one to Texas A&M, Trask has performed exceptionally well.
Trask leads the FBS in touchdowns passes with 38 in nine games played, not to mention being second in the FBS in passing yards with 3,243 yards and third in the country in QBR at 92.7.
But what makes Trask my favorite to win the Heisman is how explosive and dependent Florida is on the passing game. Florida’s defense ranks No. 50 in the FBS in total defense, allowing 318 yards per game. Along with a running game that is hit or miss depending whose defense they face, all the pressure is on Trask to make big time throws to lead Florida to the promised land.
Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama
Coming into the 2020 college football season, many thought Mac Jones was going to take the role of a game manager for Alabama. This season, he’s been that and much more. In nine games played, Jones is second in completion percentage at .757, trailing Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Jones leads the FBS in QBR at 96.3 and is fourth in passing yards with 3,113.
Jones positions himself as my number two option in part to his ability to spread the ball to his weapons with pinpoint accuracy. There is no doubt that Jones has become the leader of Alabama.
Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson
Despite missing two games versus Notre Dame and Florida State due to COVID-19, Lawrence remains in my top four candidates since he set the bar this season prior to missing two games.
Throwing 20 touchdowns for 2,431 yards with only three interceptions are stats to adore. Along with a QBR of 85.2, there is no doubt that Lawrence has been one of college football’s must watch players in recent years.
Lawrence will have a chance to redeem Clemson’s earlier loss to Notre Dame on Dec. 19 for the ACC Championship. If Lawrence can have another outstanding performance and beat one of the best teams this season, the argument for awarding Lawrence the Heisman only gets more interesting.
DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Alabama
DeVonta Smith is unquestionably the best non-quarterback to potentially win the Heisman Trophy, but you can’t say he hasn’t earned it. Smith leads the country in receiving yards with 1,305 and is tied for first in touchdowns with Jaelon Darden of North Texas with 15.
What's most impressive about Smith’s resume is that he’s only dropped two passes all season, along with stepping up mightly after the consensus No. 1 wide receiver Jaylen Waddle’s season was shut down on Oct. 24 due to a fractured ankle.
If Smith can continue his dominance and Alabama goes far into the College Football Playoffs, he could be the first wide receiver since Desmond Howard in 1991 to win the Heisman Trophy.
Jordan Hession is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email hessionjordan@gmail.com.
