Heisman Watch: Week 8
The Heisman is the most prestigious award in all of college football, and the race for the prize in 2022 might be as good as any of them.
C.J. Stroud, QB, The Ohio State
Stroud came into 2022 as one of the favorites to win the award, and continues to show that he is the frontrunner to this point in the season. The Buckeyes quarterback is having one of the top seasons in the nation, and is leading a lethal attack.
Stroud is leading the nation in quarterback rating with a 94.4, and is tied for the lead in passing touchdowns with 24. Stroud is also putting up these numbers without his favorite target in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, making him a clear favorite for the Heisman in 2022.
Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Hooker clearly has the most impressive performance of any player in the nation, when he led Tennessee to an impressive 52-49 win over the Tide. Hooker was absolutely amazing, throwing for 385 yards and five touchdowns, and also led a great drive in the final seconds to set up the game-winning field goal.
Hooker has played unbelievably for the standout team in the SEC East, putting up great numbers for the best offense in the conference. Hooker is second in the nation in quarterback rating with a 91.2, and has a phenomenal 15-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Hooker has some more great games ahead of him, and will continue to be in the conversation for the Heisman this year.
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Corum has been special for the Wolverines in 2022, taking the nickname “Blake the Great,” in the process. Corum continues to lead the Michigan attack, and was unstoppable in their win over Penn State.
Corum rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns in their 41-17 beatdown over the Nittany Lions. Corum has recorded 901 yards in the first half of the season and 13 touchdowns as well to continue to be a leader of the Wolverines attack.
The Wolverines are in contention in the Big Ten and the Playoff race this year, and Corum will be the catalyst for the attack for the remainder of the season.
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
Even with the loss to Tennessee, the reigning Heisman winner has been nothing but sensational this year. Young will need to be special the remainder of the year, as he did miss a game against Texas A&M earlier this season.
In the loss to the Volunteers, Young passed for 455 yards and two touchdowns, including some key throws that allowed the Tide to rally back in the game. Young also has an 86.1 quarterback rating and is one of the most efficient players in the nation.
Young has been special, but will need to be better to finish the year if the Tide want to win the SEC and Young wants to go back-to-back in the Heisman race.
Adam Sheetz is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@gmail.com.
