Heisman Watch: Week 9
Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson:
Lawrence has had a tremendous start to the 2020 season and has shown no signs of slowing down. Lawrence is completing 70.7 percent of his passes and has thrown 17 touchdowns to only two interceptions.
Clemson’s toughest opponents are ahead of them, but Lawrence has the Tigers looking like the best team in the country. If Lawrence can continue to put up these numbers, he will be bringing home the Heisman trophy come December.
The only question is if whether or not Lawrence can be healthy enough to maintain his lead in the Heisman race, as he tested posted for COVID-19 Thursday. If he misses too many games, one of the other names on this list could take the prize from him.
Justin Fields, Quarterback, Ohio State:
The Big Ten is back, and with that is the return of Justin Fields. Fields played his first game of 2020 on Saturday and he did not disappoint.
Fields only threw one incompletion in Ohio State’s dominating 52-17 win over Nebraska. He totaled 276 passing yards and 54 rushing yards. He tallied three touchdowns as well.
Fields has possibly his toughest test of the season on Saturday when the Buckeyes visit Happy Valley to play Penn State. If Fields puts on another performance like he did against Nebraska, then he will enter his name into the conversation of the best players in college football.
Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama:
Mac Jones had some of the biggest shoes to fill in college football as the Alabama starter, and he has not disappointed. He has led the Tide to an undefeated start and has them looking like the top team in the SEC.
Jones has totaled 1,905 passing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2020. Add in his 96.6 quarterback rating and you are looking at one of the best players in the nation.
Jones is putting up Joe Burrow-like numbers, and if he continues this type of success, expect to see him in the Heisman race at the end of the season.
Zach Wilson, Quarterback, BYU:
Zach Wilson may be one of the biggest surprises of the 2020 season.
BYU is undefeated and Wilson is playing like an elite quarterback. Wilson has 1,928 passing yards and 16 touchdowns this season. He has also thrown only one interception on 161 pass attempts.
With a quarterback rating of 84.8 as well, Wilson has the Cougars rolling and has them right there in the conversation for a New Year’s Six bid.
Najee Harris, Running Back, Alabama:
If you did not know already, Alabama produces a lot of good running backs. The list of Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and Derrick Henry are just a few guys to come from the University of Alabama. Najee Harris is putting his name up there with those great backs.
Harris has been unbelievable this season, and the numbers show for it. He has 595 rushing yards, 147 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns through five games. These numbers are some of the best in the nation, and his impact on the Alabama offense is as big as any other player for their respective offense.
If Harris continues to play this way, expect him to be in the conversation for the Heisman trophy at the end of the year.
Adam Sheetz is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@psu.edu.
