Heisman Watch: Week 5
D’Eriq King, Quarterback, Miami
D’Eriq King is looking unstoppable for the Hurricanes through the first three games of the season. King impressed once again this past week against rival Florida State, totalling 332 total yards and two touchdown passses in a dominant 52-10 win.
King has Miami sitting at 3-0 on the season and they are looking like a top contender in the ACC.
King has not only been the main reason for Miami’s success thus far, but he’s been the best player in the nation through September and he is the frontrunner for the Heisman right now.
K.J. Costello, Quarterback, Mississippi State
K.J. Costello may have had the greatest debut in SEC history this past weekend en route a victory over LSU.
Knocking off the defending national champions is a huge accomplishment on its own, but add in the fact that Costello threw for a whopping 632 yards and five touchdowns, that's a day that won’t ever be forgotten.
Costello was being compared to Andrew Luck when he was the quarterback at Stanford, and he showed why those comparisons were being made this past weekend.
If these numbers continue and Costello is leading the Bulldogs to wins, then he will without a doubt be in the thick of the Heisman conversation all year.
Kyle Trask, Quarterback, Florida
Kyle Trask came in last year and looked great for the Gators and he has been set up to have a breakout season. His performance in Florida’s season opener was a great sign.
Trask went off against Ole Miss passing for 416 yards and six touchdowns. Florida was moving the ball very well and Trask was a big reason why they scored 51 points on the road in a SEC game.
Florida has a lot of weapons, and they obtained even more when Penn State wide reciever transfer, Justin Shorter was ruled eligible to play this year. All these weapons make Trask’s life very easy. Trask is not the quarterback to make the big play, but he is one of the best at getting the ball to playmakers in space to make things happen.
If Florida keeps winning and Trask is able to continue his individual success, then he will be a top candidate for the Heisman trophy at the end of the year.
Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson
As most people know, Trevor Lawrence is the best prospect in college football and is projected to be the top selection in next year’s NFL Draft.
He is having a big year already and it will only get better. Lawrence is already responsible for seven touchdowns this season and he has not even played a whole game yet.
Lawrence has a lot of playmakers to work with on offense including Travis Etienne and Amari Rodgers. He is elite at getting the ball to his playmakers to make exciting things happen. Lawrence also has an arm like no other and can make throws that no one else can.
If Lawrence does what he is capable of every week, then Lawrence will certainly be the favorite for the Heisman come December.
Sam Ehlinger, Quarterback, Texas
Sam Ehlinger seems to have been at Texas forever. He has been a starter for the last couple of years and has always been a great quarterback for the Longhorns.
Ehlinger is playing amazing so far this season, recording 688 passing yards and 10 touchdowns in Texas’ first two games. Add in his 81 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown, and one is looking at a scoring machine in the Big 12.
Although, Ehlinger has yet to face a great team. This weekend against in-state rival TCU will be a good contest for Ehlinger and the Texas offense. They are also scheduled to face Oklahoma next week, so a lot of big games are slated for Ehlinger to show the nation what he is capable of.
Right now, Ehlinger looks like a strong candidate that will have an opportunity to walk away with the Heisman at the end of the year.
Adam Sheetz is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@psu.edu.
