B/R's 2022 Heisman Trophy Rankings: Injuries Changing the Race in Week 13
Injuries happen in college football, but it's such a bummer when they do.
While no player is more important than another, certain players are more impactful. And the 2022 Heisman Trophy race is starting to feel the disappointing impact of health concerns.
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker no longer has a path to winning the Heisman. He deserves plenty of votes for a fantastic year, but a torn left ACL has abruptly ended his season.
He wasn't the only Heisman candidate to suffer an injury this past weekend, though. Michigan running back Blake Corum left Saturday's win over Illinois with a knee injury. Meanwhile, Oregon quarterback Bo Nix suffered a right foot injury against Washington that limited him immensely.
As a result, the Heisman discussion has largely narrowed to a pair of quarterbacks: Ohio State's C.J. Stroud and USC's Caleb Williams.
Neither one of those two is guaranteed to win. But as injuries pile up elsewhere, they clearly have the best chances heading into Week 13.
10. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama
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For some reason, that Home Alone quote overwhelmed my brain when thinking about this ranking. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young deserves a mention in the Heisman race, but he's also on a unique tier of his own.
Young is not a front-runner for the Heisman. He isn't a legitimate threat to win it. His team cannot win a conference title. Every other candidate fits into one of those categories, save for Hooker—and that's only because of a knee injury.
Let's not overlook the solid year that Young is having, though. He's tallied 2,664 yards and 24 touchdowns to four interceptions and has added 147 yards and three scores on the ground. Alabama is still a formidable 8-2, with both losses happening on the very last play of a game.
A lovely fourth-tier ranking, just for Young.
9-8. The Safe Non-Winners
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9. Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia
The combination of individual improvement and Georgia's undefeated record has Bennett in the Heisman conversation. But it's safe to suggest he's due little more than complementary votes.
Bennett has totaled 3,180 yards—more than his 3,121 last season—with a modest 21 touchdowns so far. Georgia closes the campaign with Georgia Tech and then LSU in the SEC Championship Game, so he could move up in these rankings a bit.
8. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
Maye snuck into our top five following Oregon's loss to Washington, but a setback to Georgia Tech is far less forgivable. Maye threw for a season-low 202 yards and wasn't responsible for a touchdown for the first time all year.
Maye's hopes of a minor ascent hinge on beating Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.
7-6. The Long Shots
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7. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
After an ugly-but-still-a-win performance at Arkansas, Daniels bounced back nicely. He ripped through an overmatched UAB defense to the tune of 408 total yards and two touchdowns, keeping two-loss LSU in the mix for a College Football Playoff spot.
Daniels' only chance to rise in the Heisman race involves the Tigers beating Texas A&M this weekend and Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.
6. Max Duggan, QB, TCU
How about the Horned Frogs? They once again engineered a second-half comeback to stay undefeated, this time against Baylor.
Duggan threw for 327 yards, rushed for 50 and accounted for two touchdowns in the dramatic 29-28 win. While his resume isn't as flashy as those of the top Heisman candidates, TCU's perfect record will keep Duggan in consideration for a top-five finish.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
5-3. The Injuries
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5. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
Visibly hampered by a right foot injury, Nix logged one non-sack rushing attempt all game. The good news is that his two-yard gain sealed Oregon's win against Utah.
Although the veteran quarterback is clearly not close to full health, he could jump a few spots if the Ducks topple rival Oregon State and take out USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game.
4. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
Even before the ACL injury, Hooker would've fallen to third or fourth because of Tennessee's loss to South Carolina. However, the unfortunate play—a simple upfield cut that Hooker has made hundreds of times in his football career—resulted in a heartbreaking moment.
Hooker, whose final line includes 3,565 total yards and 32 touchdowns, will probably receive a few first-place and a good chunk of Heisman votes.
3. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
After missing the entire second half (except one play) in Michigan's escape of Illinois, Corum provided a little hope. "I'll be back," he said, per Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News.
But does that mean he'll play against Ohio State this weekend? Head coach Jim Harbaugh had no update Monday at his weekly news conference.
Even beyond how it impacts his award chances, Corum's injury is the major storyline for Michigan against its bitter rival.
2-1. The Front-Runners
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2. Caleb Williams, QB, USC
We were waiting on the proverbial Heisman moment from Williams. Try on "503 yards in a 48-45 road victory over a top-15-ranked rival" for size.
The superstar quarterback threw for 470 yards and added 33 on the ground, propelling the Trojans past UCLA in the Rose Bowl.
Williams has totaled 3,796 yards and 40 touchdowns while leading USC to a place in the Pac-12 title game. But first, he and the Trojans must navigate No. 13 Notre Dame to close the regular season.
1. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
Stroud's primary Heisman appeal is the combination of his efficiency and Ohio State's comfortable wins. Despite a relatively quiet 241-yard, one-touchdown day in a nervy victory at Maryland, he leads the country in both yards per attempt (9.7) and passing scores (35).
This upcoming week will be his chance for redemption.
Last season, Stroud was the Heisman favorite heading into the showdown with Michigan. But the Buckeyes lost, and Stroud's candidacy dipped to a finalist invite that accompanied no expectation to win.
Will it be different in 2022?
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
