Heisman Watch: Week 8

Story posted October 23, 2020 in CommRadio, Sports by Jordan Hession

Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama

Mac Jones has quieted any doubt that he wouldn’t be able to replace Tua Tagovailoa as the leader of the Alabama offense.

After throwing for 400+ yards in back-back games, Jones obliterated Georgia’s secondary last weekend completing 24 of 32 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns. Leading No. 2 Alabama to a dominant 41-24 win over No. 4 Georgia.

Jones' combination of arm strength, poise in the pocket and accuracy has led him to the highest yards per pass attempt in the country at 13.2.

If Jones can lead Alabama to its 18th National Championship, he could possibly become the first quarterback from Alabama ever to win the Heisman Trophy.

 

Zach Wilson, Quarterback, BYU

Who would’ve thought that in the pandemic-altered season the headband-wearing quarterback of BYU, Zach Wilson would be in the discussion for the Heisman Trophy?

Wilson’s stats are legit. So far this season, he’s posted 1,641 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and is leading the country in completion percentage at 78.7%. Wilson’s vision, elusiveness and speed has propelled BYU to No. 12 in the country at 5-0.

Wilson would shock many people if he were to win the Heisman Trophy, but as we’ve seen in the year 2020, anything can happen.

 

Shane Buechele, Quarterback, SMU

SMU quarterback Shane Buechele is off to a stellar start in 2020, elevating No. 16  SMU to the top as one of the favorites to win the American Athletic Conference this year.

Buechele’s numbers through five starts are impressive. He’s recorded 1,710 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, while averaging 9.7 yards per pass attempt. Along with going four weeks straight without throwing an interception since Nov. 5 versus Texas State.

Buechele’s emergence as the program’s quarterback has sparked SMU’s resurgence since its death penalty back in 1987. Perhaps with long term success this season, a Heisman Trophy will follow suit in SMU’s resurgence.

 

Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Alabama

It should come to no surprise to anyone that Alabama has produced yet another talented wide receiver. Jaylen Waddle has emerged as one of the most explosive wide receivers in the country, due to the departure of Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III to the NFL.

Waddle is a lethal weapon with his elite package of speed, route running and soft hands. Waddle’s numbers don’t scream Heisman Trophy, due to the wealth of talent the Alabama offense has such as DeVonta Smith, Najee Harris and John Metchie III. Yet Waddle is fifth in the country with 557 receiving yards and seventh in yards per reception at 22.3.

If Waddle can regain his production on special teams from last season and remain consistent, we could see the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since Desmond Howard in 1991.

 

Travis Etienne, Running Back, Clemson

With all the attention on No. 1 Clemson’s quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy, Travis Etienne is quietly having a very productive season.

Etienne is an exceptional running back built with explosiveness, awareness and the ability to catch out of the backfield. Etienne is averaging 6.5 yards per carry and 14.4 yards per reception. Totaling six touchdowns (five rushing and one receiving) for 710 yards, between on the ground and in the air.

Potentially winning the Heisman Trophy would come as no surprise to Etienne, since he holds multiple records for Clemson and in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

 

Jordan Hession is a junior majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact, him email hessionjordan@gmail.com

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About the Contributors

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Jordan Hession

Junior / Broadcast Journalism

Jordan Hession is a junior from Annapolis, Maryland majoring in broadcast journalism. Jordan is the co-host of CommRadio’s longest running live radio show The Sin Bin with Kyle Cannillo. In the summer of 2020, Jordan interned at SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio as a sports programmer. When Jordan is not discussing sports, he is writing various articles for collegiate and professional sports leagues and teams. Jordan has a love for all sports but has a genuine passion to spread ice hockey and baseball globally. Away from broadcast journalism, Jordan enjoys lifting weights and cooking. Jordan’s role models in the broadcast journalism industry include Doc Emrick, Gary Thorne and Mike Lange. In the future, Jordan sees himself working as a producer or host in sports talk radio and potentially television. To contact Jordan, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).