Kirk Herbstreit triples down on Caleb Williams as a Heisman contender

Oklahoma quarterback Caleb Williams has opened a lot of eyes with his strong play since replacing Spencer Rattler as Oklahoma’s starter. With Oklahoma still undefeated and with big games remaining, College GameDay’s Kirk Herbstreit is high on Williams as a serious contender for the Heisman Trophy.

Paired with the brilliance of Williams, Herbstreit points to a lack of runaway candidates for this year’s Heisman.

“First of all, what is today?  November 13,” Herbstreit started.  “I don’t remember getting to November 13 and there not being that guy for the Heisman.  We only have three or four weeks left in the season and it’s wide open.”

Herbstreit: Williams ‘has Heisman moments’ for Oklahoma

Something that Herbstreit has alluded to in the past when talking about Heisman candidates is having “Heisman moments.” Despite playing significantly less than other candidates, Herbstreit thinks that Williams already has the most Heisman moments for Oklahoma so far.

“You have Matt Corral.  He’s had injuries. You have Bryce Young.  You have C.J. Stroud, Kenneth Walker. It’s wide open,” Herbstreit said. “I keep saying that Caleb Williams is the one guy that has Heisman moments because of the style of play that he plays with.

“I know he’s only played the last seven or eight games or whatever it might end up being, I don’t care. He’s that guy.  He has the potential to make plays.  He’s that guy that when Oklahoma has the ball in the whole country, outside of maybe Will Anderson at Alabama, you don’t want to leave the room because of what he might do. You don’t want to miss it.”

Williams has completed 71.6 percent of his passes this season for 1,189 yards, 14 touchdowns and one interception. He also has 288 rushing yards with four touchdowns on the ground. Williams’ strong arm and dynamic ability in the run game has opened things up for head coach Lincoln Riley and the Oklahoma offense.

Oklahoma is 9-0 with road trips to No. 13 Baylor and No. 10 Oklahoma State sandwiching a home game against Iowa State left on the schedule. With the big stage Oklahoma is on, Herbstreit believes that the final three weeks could present Williams with the opportunity to really solidify himself as a candidate for the Heisman.

“Now he’s got a big stage today, starting against Baylor,” Herbstreit said. “The spotlight is going to be on the OU Sooners and especially Caleb Williams.  Let’s see if he takes advantage of that today in Waco and the remainder of the season.

“But I think he’s got a real shot in my opinion, to get up there and potentially win that Heisman Trophy.”