Favorites, names to watch for 2022 Heisman Trophy race

The 2021 Heisman Trophy was just awarded, but it’s never too early to look forward to 2022. ESPN has released a list of 2022 Heisman Trophy contenders, ranging from the clear favorites to rising players to redemption stories.

Top 2022 Heisman contenders

Alabama QB Bryce Young
Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud
Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson
Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams
Texas RB Bijan Robinson
Alabama LB Will Anderson Jr.

Young won the Heisman this season, and he is the clear favorite to take home the honor again in 2022. Stroud, another Heisman finalist this season, is another obvious favorite entering next season. Anderson was viewed as a major snub this season, as he established himself as one of the top players in the nation on the defensive side of the ball.

Henderson put up big numbers this season as a true freshman. As he grows more comfortable in his second year, he could turn into a serious Heisman contender. Williams was looking like a Heisman contender this season when he took over at quarterback for Oklahoma. As he enters his first full season as a starter, he is very likely to put up big numbers. Robinson started the year strong for Texas before struggling with injuries to end the year. The Longhorns are relying on Robinson heavily next year.

Up-and-comers

Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke
Wisconsin RB Braelon Allen
Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall
NC State QB Devin Leary
Boston College QB Phil Jurkovec

ESPN’s up-and-comers in the 2022 Heisman race includes a trio of ACC quarterbacks. Van Dyke impressed once taking over for Miami, and Jurkovec is looking for a bounce-back after struggling through injuries and inconsistencies this season. NC State has the looks of a strong team next year, so Leary is a clear breakout candidate entering 2022. Allen and McCall also impressed this year and could play a role in next year’s race.

Others in the mix

Michigan QB Cade McNamara/RB Blake Corum
Syracuse RB Sean Tucker
Mississippi State QB Will Rogers
Louisville QB Malik Cunningham

McNamara and Corum led Michigan’s offense this season, and the Wolverines are the No. 2 seed in the CFP. Both should be even better next season. Tucker had a strong year for Syracuse as well, and he is an underrated sleeper next year, as will Cunningham for Louisville. Rogers put up historic numbers for Mississippi State, and if he does the same in 2022, he will undoubtedly be in the Heisman conversation.

2022 Heisman redemption stories

South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler
Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei
USC QB Jaxson Dart
Florida QB Anthony Richardson
Georgia QB J.T. Daniels

Rattler committed to South Carolina on Monday, completely shaking up the SEC. He entered the year as a Heisman favorite and a clear top NFL Draft prospect, but he was instead benched and left Oklahoma. Uiagalelei also had massive expectations entering the year, but failed to live up to them. If Richardson gets a true shot in Florida’s offense, he could become one of the most versatile players in college football.

Daniels opened the year as Georgia’s starter before suffering injuries. He then watched Stetson Bennet lead the Bulldogs to the CFP. Daniels has a chance for a big bounce-back. USC’s Kedon Slovis will not return to the Trojans, meaning that Jaxson Dart gets his first shot to fully showcase his immense talent.

Sleepers

Oklahoma State DE Collin Oliver
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik
Texas Tech’s quarterback
Big-name transfers: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, RB Zach Evans, QB Quinn Ewers
Non-quarterbacks: Pitt WR Jordan Addison, Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer, Georgia TE Brock Bowers, Kansas State RB Deuce Vaughn, Clemson RB Will Shipley, Texas A&M Devon Achane

There are always some under-the-radar players that emerge in the Heisman conversation. ESPN has tabbed quite a few of those potential sleepers. One of the most interesting on the list is Clemson’s Cade Klubnik. He is slated to be Uiagalelei’s backup at Clemson, but things could get interesting if Clemson’s offense again struggles. With a new offensive scheme at Texas Tech, the Red Raiders’ starting quarterback, whoever that ends up being, could play a role.