The Buzz: The latest Heisman news and views
Week five of the college football season is in the books. Time to take a look to see what’s happening in the Heisman world…
(Disclaimer — The Heisman Trophy Trust and Heisman.com does not endorse any college football player for the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The information contained here serves as a platform of information for fans and media, and is not intended to contain a definitive and comprehensive list of possible contenders.)
The Buzz
Sporting News reports on Oklahoma QB Jalen Hurts’ huge Big 12 debut – the first-year Sooner generating 485 combined passing and rushing yards, accounting for four TDs – and what it does for his Heisman candidacy. And then he hurried to the gym after the game for a workout.
Former Ohio State Coach-turned Fox Sports analyst Urban Meyer was more than impressed with Hurts’ work.
“He’s unbelievable. I mean, this is one of the best I’ve ever seen. You hold your breath when he breaks the pocket. So yes, he’s great when things are the way it’s supposed to be. He’s even better when he’s not [in those perfect situations].” – Urban Meyer
Saturday Down South reported ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum’s top four Heisman contenders. He’s impressed, too, by Hurts, but has him No. 2. Here’s his list.
The Ringer joined the fray of early-season Heisman talk, while The Athletic is out with its latest straw poll.
Saturday Blitz posted its latest Heisman rankings, with Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa atop its list.
“What makes Tua so good is the way he can use the talent around him. Ole Miss prioritized shutting down Jerry Jeudy in this game. Because of this, Tua simply went to another of his top targets. He’s just going to find the open man and throw an accurate ball.” – Saturday Blitz
More from the Sporting News, detailing how Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence led the Tigers to a W on Saturday, the biggest stat that matters.
Oregon QB Justin Herbert is quietly putting up big numbers for the Ducks, reports 247sports. He entered Oregon’s bye week matching 2014 Heisman winner Marcus Mariota’s stats rather closely.
Georgia and its offensive stars Jake Fromm and De’Andre Swift were off this week as well. But they are still in Forbes’ Heisman Watch entering Week 6. LSU’s Joe Burrow also had a free Saturday, and is also well positioned on the list. Texas QB Sam Ehlinger was another in a star-studded lineup of quarterbacks resting Saturday.
Ohio State’s Justin Fields was not definitely not on a bye week, as Nebraska can attest. Yardbarker details his big day.
Oklahoma State’s Chuba Hubbard – on the heels of his 296 rushing yards Saturday – is elbowing into the Sooner State Heisman talk – writes the Tulsa World – with 938 rushing yards through five games.
“During this decade, only two major-college running backs — Stanford’s Bryce Love in 2017 and LSU’s Leonard Fournette in 2015 — had more than 938 rushing yards through the first five games of a season.” – Tulsa World
Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor put forth another 100-yard rushing game to keep the Badgers unbeaten, writes Bleacher Report.
Temple freshman tailback Re’Mahn Davis goes by @MrHeisman7 on twitter. He’s a bit early for a top five list, but the Inquirer reported on his big game Saturday.
Florida, when it takes on Auburn Saturday, will bust out the throwback threads dating back to Heisman Trophy winner Steve Spurrier’s Gator days. Click here to check out Spurrier in his old uni compared with Saturday’s look.
Heisman Trophy Winners In The NFL
It was a strong week for Heisman winners in the NFL, even for some on the wrong end of the final score.a
Jameis Winston (2013) led Tampa Bay to a huge 55-40 win at the Los Angeles Rams, completing 28-of-41 passes for 385 yards and four scores, out-dueling Jared Goff in the process.
Tennessee’s Marcus Mariota (2014) and Derrick Henry (2015) were too much for Atlanta in a Titan win. Mariota completed 18-of-27 passes for 227 yards and three scores while Henry rushed for 100 yards (his first 100-yard game of the year) on 27 carries in the 24-10 win.
Cleveland’s Baker Mayfield (2017) orchestrated a 40-25 win over Lamar Jackson (2016) and the Ravens. Mayfield threw for 342 yards and a score on 20-of-30 passing while Jackson was 24-of-34 for 247 yards and three TDs. Fellow Raven Mark Ingram (2009) rushed for 71 yards on just 12 carries.
Arizona’s Kyler Murray (2018) was 22-of-32 for 241 yards in the Cardinals’ loss to Seattle.
