B/R's 2022 Heisman Trophy Rankings: Top Players to Watch in Week 1

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has a shot to make history as part of the race for the 2022 Heisman Trophy.

The reigning winner is seeking to become only the second two-time recipient in the award's history. Though a few players in the last couple of decades have had a shot, 1970s Ohio State running back Archie Griffin is the only one to pull it off.

To join Griffin on the exclusive list, though, Young will have to outlast teammate Will Anderson Jr., Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, USC quarterback Caleb Williams and much more elite talent.

The tricky part of early Heisman rankings—which will be released every Tuesday—is deciding how to balance real-time and expected performance. This season, we'll be taking a slightly different approach and categorizing players in a couple of ways.

First, though, we'll break down the list of contenders into tiers.

Tier 4: The Long Shots

Sean Clifford | Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 20: Sean Clifford #14 of the Penn State Nittany Lions looks to pass against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 20, 2021 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

Any combination of factors can create a long shot.

The obvious one is inconsistent performance, which can break a Heisman hopeful's dreams. Secondly, a great player can also have relatively small production because of a team's style. Stats aren't everything, but voters certainly consider the numbers.

The first two categories include these types of candidates, while the third section is a nod to a freshman with an outside shot at contending.

Returning Players: Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson, Boston College QB Phil Jurkovec, BYU QB Jaren Hall, Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei, Georgia QB Stetson Bennett, Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn, Michigan QBs Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy, Penn State QB Sean Clifford

Transfers: LSU QB Jayden Daniels, Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, Oregon QB Bo Nix, Pittsburgh QB Kedon Slovis, South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler, USC RB Travis Dye, Washington State QB Cameron Ward

Freshman: Clemson QB Cade Klubnik

Tier 3: The Team Needs to Cooperate

Bijan Robinson | Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

OCTOBER 16: University of Texas Long Horns running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs the ball during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on October 16, 2021, at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, TX. (Photo by Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Throughout history, team success has clearly been a factor in picking the Heisman winner.

In short: Don't lose four regular-season games. And if a program drops three, the player must have an incredible year—as electric quarterback Lamar Jackson did at Louisville in 2016, for example.

As always, there are plenty of candidates that fit this section. Each player mentioned is at a program with a DraftKings win total of 8.5 or below, and the players are separated based on whether they're a past top contributor or will hold an elevated role in 2022.

Returning Top Contributors: Kentucky QB Will Levis, Louisville QB Malik Cunningham, Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke, Mississippi State QB Will Rogers, NC State QB Devin Leary, Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker, Texas RB Bijan Robinson, Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen

Elevated Roles: Florida QB Anthony Richardson, Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner, Texas QB Quinn Ewers, Texas A&M QB Haynes King, Texas A&M RB Devon Achane

Tier 2: Top Players on Top Contenders

Cam Rising | John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) runs into the end zone for a touchdown ahead of Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Zach Harrison (9) and safety Bryson Shaw (17) during the first half of the Rose Bowl game played on January 1, 2022 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Jordan Addison, WR, USC: If you feel Addison belongs on a lower tier, that's reasonable. It's tough to win the Heisman when your quarterback is a national star, as is the case at USC with Caleb Williams. Addison, nevertheless, is the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner after catching 100 passes for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns at Pitt in 2021.

Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia: Reputation is a vital part of a defender landing significant votes, and Carter has a two-fold advantage. First, he's really freaking good. But he's also the replacement for Jordan Davis, who finished ninth in Heisman voting last season before being drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma: The left-hander brings two-plus years of starting experience from UCF to the Sooners. Gabriel has a pair of 3,500-yard, 29-touchdown seasons in his college career.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama: A transfer from Georgia Tech, Gibbs is one of the nation's most promising backs. He amassed 2,773 all-purpose yards and totaled 13 touchdowns in 19 appearances for the Yellow Jackets. Now, he's Alabama's top runner.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State: Henderson soared into the national conversation with a fantastic true freshman season. He scampered for 1,248 yards and 15 scores, also making 27 receptions for 312 yards and four touchdowns.

Cameron Rising, QB, Utah: With a nod to running back Tavion Thomas, Rising is Utah's top candidate. Despite not starting the first three games in 2021, he threw for 2,493 yards and 20 touchdowns to five interceptions while rushing for 499 yards and six scores.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State: Even as he shared targets with two NFL-bound receivers last season, Smith-Njigba had a massive year. The breakout star reeled in a team-leading 95 passes for 1,606 yards along with nine touchdowns. Smith-Njigba is the unquestioned top option for the Buckeyes this year.

Tier 1: The Favorites

Bryce Young | Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 11: Alabama quarterback Bryce Young poises for photos with the trophy after winning the Heisman Trophy at the press conference at the Marriott Marquis in New York on December 11, 2021 in New York City, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama: Last season, Anderson made 101 tackles and paced the Football Bowl Subdivision in both stops for loss (33.5) and sacks (17.5). Along with unanimous All-American honors, he earned the SEC Defensive Player of the Year award and the Nagurski Trophy. Not since Michigan's Charles Woodson in 1997 has a defensive player won the Heisman, but Anderson has a decent shot.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State: Stroud, who piled up 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns through the air in 2021, finished fourth in Heisman voting. And, really, had the Buckeyes not lost at Michigan on Nov. 27, he might've claimed the award. Deservedly so, Stroud could be labeled the 2022 preseason favorite.

Caleb Williams, QB, USC: Williams emerged as Oklahoma's starter a little short of halfway into the 2021 season. The dual-threat QB collected 2,354 total yards and accounted for 27 touchdowns, backing up his high recruiting billing. Williams and former OU coach Lincoln Riley have revived the excitement around USC's program.

Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: Alphabetically, he's last. Realistically, he's first. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner threw for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns to seven interceptions last season. Alabama has a retooled receiving corps, but expectations for Young have hardly dropped.