Matt Leinart reveals his Top 5 candidates to win the 2023 Heisman Trophy

The college football season is quickly approaching and talking season has given way to prediction season. Current Fox Sports college football analyst and former Heisman finalist quarterback Matt Leinart listed on Friday his top five candidates to win the award this season.

The grouping — a trio of quarterbacks, a running back and a wide receiver — features some of the most electrifying talents in the sport. It also includes a number of names who might be featuring in the College Football Playoff come December.

And the reigning winner of the Heisman is, of course, on the list. See who Leinart picked, from No. 5 to No. 1, below.

5. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

Daniels took a while to get truly settled in as the starting quarterback for LSU in 2022, his first year with the program. Now with a year of starting experience in Baton Rouge, Leinart is high on the dual-threat Daniels to put together a Heisman-worthy season.

“Coming off an incredible year last year, he’s my darkhorse to actually win this thing. He led all quarterbacks last year in rushing yards with nearly 1000 yards while knocking off Alabama,” Leinart said.

4. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Arguably the best player in the sport regardless of position, Harrison Jr., should dominate no matter who lines up against him. And just a few years removed from a wide receiver winning the Heisman in Alabama’s DeVonta Smith, Leinart thinks Harrison could certainly repeat the feat.

“Remember a couple of years ago, DeVonta Smith from Alabama had 1800 yards and 23 touchdowns? He won this thing, so why not Marvin?” Leinart said.

3. QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

Potentially QB1 in the 2023 NFL Draft, depending on what evaluators and NFL decision makers think, Maye showed off his dual-threat ability in a prolific 2022 campaign. Leinart has no doubts about Maye holding up his end of the bargain this season, but worries about the Tar Heels as a whole.

“I mean the dude just has a sick name. Drake Maye, Heisman trophy winner — it just sounds perfect. This kid is an absolute stud. He’s a dual threat quarterback. He will for sure be a Top 5 pick in next year’s NFL draft. The only question mark is: Will they win enough games?” Leinart said.

2. RB Blake Corum, Michigan

A Week 12 knee injury may have precent Corum from being a finalist for this award a year ago. He was closing in on 20 touchdowns and 1500 rushing yards when he got hurt against Illinois. If he’s full go this year, Leinart thinks he can put together another Heisman-worthy year.

“Last year he rushed for nearly 1500 yards but had the injury late in the season. That’s the only question mark for me coming into this season: His health. He is an absolute beast, Michigan is absolutely loaded, and I think Blake Corum has a chance to be the next Heisman trophy winner,” Leinart said.

1. QB Caleb Williams, USC

It’s not a surprise that the reigning winner of the Heisman sits atop the list. Leinart acknowledged there are some factors working against his alma mater’s QB1, but thinks Williams will outplay whatever doubts and detractions might exist.

“Yes he won it last year. And there’s no reason why he can’t win it again this year. I think Caleb Williams might throw for 60 touchdowns and 5000 yards. Will there be voter fatigue? Will they be sick of another Trojan winning? I think not. He is my favorite to win back-to-back Heisman trophies,” Leinart said.

My top 5 Heisman Candidates! Who’d I miss? pic.twitter.com/XcbtQVvm0c

— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) August 18, 2023

All told, it’s a pretty solid Top 5, with plenty of room to debate the exclusion of the likes of Brock Bowers, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and plenty of other top-shelf talents in college football who could make it to New York City for the Heisman ceremony this December. Plus, there’s the potential for any number of wildcards to turn the Heisman race as the season goes on.

And it’s just a few short weeks until the season is in full swing and Heisman resumes are being written in real time on the field.