D’Eriq King, Quarterback, Miami

If the Heisman were handed out today, D’Eriq King would be given the trophy. He has looked unbelievable in the first two weeks of the season, especially against Louisville. King threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns last week, and he also added nine yards rushing. King had a QBR of 77.3 in the game and helped the Hurricanes put 47 points on the board.

On the season, King has 469 passing yards and 92 rushing yards while completing 63% of his passes. He has five touchdowns in the first two games, four passing and one rushing. These stats are great, but most importantly, King has led his Miami team to a 2-0 start and is helping them become a top-tier team in the ACC.

Spencer Rattler, Quarterback, Oklahoma

If you play quarterback at the University of Oklahoma and Lincoln Riley is the head coach, then you will be in the Heisman race. Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray both won the award, and Jalen Hurts finished second in voting last season. Spencer Rattler is the new quarterback for the Sooners, and he is already looking like one of the top players in the nation.

Rattler has only started one game, the opener against Missouri State, but he looked amazing. Rattler had 290 passing yards and four touchdowns in a dominant 48-0 win for the Sooners.

Rattler looked good, but it was against far inferior competition. Rattler’s first test will be when the Sooners open conference play against Kansas State on Sept. 26.

Travis Etienne, Running Back, Clemson

Travis Etienne is looking to do something that only Herschel Walker has done, and that is win three straight Conference Player of the Year awards in a Power Five conference. Etienne is off to a good start, rushing for 170 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers’ first two games. He also has 58 receiving yards in those games. Etienne has not played much this year though, as Clemson has dominated its competition and is pulling its starters early and often.

Etienne may be the best running back in the nation, and his best football is ahead of him when Clemson starts to play in some bigger games.

Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson

Trevor Lawrence is off to a fast start with 519 passing yards and a completion percentage of 81.1%. Lawrence has also thrown for four touchdowns and has three rushing touchdowns as well. Like Etienne, he has seen limited playing time, as Clemson has pulled him in the second half in both of games so far.

Lawrence is regarded as the best player in the country, and if he puts up the numbers, he is capable of being a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy at the end of the year.

Najee Harris, Running Back, Alabama

Najee Harris is now the face of Alabama’s offense with the Crimson Tide losing Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III to the NFL. With those key players gone, Alabama will be forced to reload the offense with young talent. But the returning Harris is the centerpiece.

Harris had an amazing season last year, racking up 1,224 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He also had 304 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Harris’ role will be larger this season with the aforementioned departures, and you can expect his production to go up as a result.

Alabama could be the best team in the nation, and Harris is a big reason why. He should push himself right into the Heisman race by season’s end.

Adam Sheetz is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email ads360@psu.edu.