Heisman Watch: Week 6
Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson
The consensus number one overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, junior Trevor Lawrence has been phenomenal for the Clemson Tigers to begin the season.
After another highly efficient game throwing the ball last weekend against Virginia, Lawrence now has 848 passing yards, 10 total touchdowns and no interceptions to begin the season.
His statistics are even more remarkable as he only had nine passing attempts in Clemson's season opener against The Citadel.
Lawrence continues to prove that he is NFL ready with excellent size, athleticism and arm strength. He shows off his confidence by throwing the football in tight windows with tremendous poise.
If Lawrence continues to put up torrid numbers for the rest of the year, he will be the frontrunner for the Heisman come December.
Kyle Trask, Quarterback, Florida
Senior Kyle Trask has absolutely torched SEC secondaries in the first two games of the season for the Florida Gators and will look to continue that trend against Texas A&M on Saturday.
After throwing for 416 yards and six touchdowns against Ole Miss on the road in the season opener, Trask followed that up with 268 yards and four touchdowns against South Carolina in a decisive 38-24 victory.
Trask is exceptional at getting rid of the ball quickly in underneath routes, slants and back shoulder fades to keep defenses on their toes.
If not for Trevor Lawrence putting on a clinic for the top ranked Clemson Tigers, Trask would have the lead in the Heisman race.
D’Eriq King, Quarterback, Miami
In his first year with the Miami Hurricanes, D’Eriq King is an absolute force through three games and has firmly entrenched Miami in playoff contention, as they are currently ranked seventh in the country.
So far this season, King has thrown for 736 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions while also rushing for 157 yards and a score, showing off a skill set similar to former Heisman Trophy winners Kyler Murray and Lamar Jackson.
King has the opportunity to climb the ladder in the Heisman rankings with a win and a solid performance against Clemson on Saturday night.
Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida
It’s not common to see a tight end featured on any Heisman watch list, but a tight end has actually won the award on two separate occasions.
Kyle Pitts has been Kyle Trask’s favorite target this season, leading the Gators in receptions (12), receiving yards (227) and touchdowns with six. Pitts is also averaging 18.9 yards per catch in two games.
He followed up a monster four touchdown performance against Ole Miss in the opener with a two touchdown effort against South Carolina.
If Pitts can continue to be the number one target and score at will, best believe he will get an invitation to the Heisman ceremony in New York City.
Justin Fields, Quarterback, Ohio State
With the Big Ten announcing a return to action on Oct. 24, it sparked the much anticipated return of one of college football’s most gifted athletes in Justin Fields.
He was the preseason favorite to win the Heisman in 2020 after throwing for 3,273 yards, 41 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2019. He also added 484 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground to compliment his air attack.
The remarkable performance landed him at third in the 2019 Heisman race, falling behind Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts.
Ohio State has a great chance to enter the playoff picture with Fields at the helm and it's a belief that he will make his case as a top five selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, as well as one of the top candidates in the Heisman race.
Austin Boley is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email him at aob5378@psu.edu.
