JD PicKell: The biggest obstacles in Brock Bowers' Heisman candidacy

It’s never too early in the season for Heisman Trophy talk, especially for a team like Georgia. Usually, to win the award, the player has to come from a team contending for a national championship. The Bulldogs are squarely in the mix this season and tight end Brock Bowers is absolutely among the nation’s elite, regardless of position.

On3’s J.D. PicKell says Bowers should be considered for college football’s most prestigious award but understands there will be obstacles. It’s rare to see anybody outside of a quarterback, let alone a tight end, win the Heisman Trophy these days.

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“First of foremost, he’s a tight end,” PicKell said. “A tight end hasn’t won the Heisman Trophy since they had leather helmets and probably subpar shoulder pads. Leon Hart in 1949 was the last guy to do it. So there’s that stigma of he’s not a quarterback.”

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Brock Bowers would need DeVonta Smith-type numbers

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith was the last non-quarterback to win the award, having a historic 2020 season. PicKell looked at the numbers the now Philadelphia Eagle put up with the Crimson Tide, saying Bowers would need similar stats, despite the position difference.

From a touchdown perspective, Bowers most likely isn’t too far off. But Georgia would really have to “force-feed” their tight end over the next nine games to get Smith-esque stats.

“Let’s just say it’s not a quarterback that wins the Heisman Trophy this year,” PicKell said. “For Brock Bowers, he would have to put up wide receiver-like stats. Devonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy — was a receiver at Alabama. His stat line was 98 catches, 1500 yards, 17 touchdowns. Getting around nine touches a game.

“Even if they force-feed Bowers the football, based on his numbers a year ago, he would have to about double his stat line,” said PicKell. “He had about 11 or 12 touchdowns a season ago so he’s not far off there but statistically, it is so difficult to win the Heisman Trophy if you’re not playing quarterback. He would have to put up wide receiver like stats playing tight end.”

Being a tight end will hurt in the long run

Even with how dangerous of a player Bowers can be as a receiver, he still has other duties to perform for Georgia. Head coach Kirby Smart will never be afraid to run the ball with offensive coordinator Todd Monken calling plays. Bowers will have to be ready to block there.

All in all, PicKell says the Georgia tight end is someone to “keep an eye on” throughout the season when it comes to the Heisman Trophy. But it’s still going to be a difficult accomplishment for Bowers.

“By nature of his position, he’s blocking and cant he’s catching the football,” PicKell said. “He’s not just a full-time receiver. The statistical piece of this is very real. I think they force-feed him the football if he becomes a bubble guy but even so. To win the award, you have to put up really big numbers. Can he do it? I hope so but that’s a potential snag point for him when it comes to this award.”

“Could he do it? Absolutely. Is it impossible? By no stretch of the imagination. The fact that we’re even having this conversation right now should tell you how good of a player Brock Bowers is. If he doesn’t do it, I think you point at the tight end label, you point to the statistical label.

“That’s the two things that could hold him back. But for how good Georgia is going to be and for how much star power Brock Bowers has and has still yet to tap into, he’s a guy to keep an eye on as this Heisman Trophy race heats up.”