Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart pick their favorites to win the 2021 Heisman Trophy

Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart know a thing or two about how to win the Heisman Trophy. In their “Club Heisman” segment prior to this weekend’s games, Bush and Leinart detailed who’s in contention to join the former USC Trojans in the exclusive club.

First, they started with their VIP section. In other words, they named their favorites for the award.

“We still have the two top guys in the VIP section. That’s Bryce Young and Matt Corral,” said Bush. “Here’s the thing I like about Bryce Young. Even in their loss, he still threw three touchdowns and 369 yards. So I know what I’m getting from Bryce Young. And then Matt Corral — after their loss to Alabama, he bounced back and played well. A sign of a great quarterback.”

Moreover, Bush elaborated on what separates the two quarterbacks dueling for the top spot.

“We did talk about that head to head matchup, and the Heisman implications it would have,” said Bush. “Because Bryce Young head to head beat Matt Corral, I have Bryce Young as my number one.”

While Oklahoma’s Spencer Rattler was the odds-on favorite prior to the season, Young and Corral have overtaken the top spots. The two quarterbacks are embroiled in a heated race as it stands — but Leinart wants another quarterback to get some respect.

“He’s third in the odds, I don’t care about the odds right now — it’s C.J. Stroud from Ohio State,” stated Leinart. “I’m telling you, he’s playing as well as anyone in the country.

“He’s playing as well as anyone in the country. Ten touchdowns, zero interceptions in his last two games.”

Young, Corral and Stroud make compelling cases — but Bush and Leinart have a sleeper we should keep our eyes on as well.

‘Club Heisman wouldn’t be Club Heisman without a running back’

After focusing on the quarterbacks, of course Bush and Leinart had to highlight a running back. However, it wasn’t Texas’ Bijan Robinson or Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson.

The duo is enamored with Michigan State‘s Kenneth Walker III.

“We got to get a running back, so Kenneth Walker is the only running back I would put in this Heisman race,” said Bush. “Because Kenneth Walker is the reason why Michigan State is undefeated. That’s one of the requirements for staying in this race — you have to play well, and you have to win as well.”

While Bush and Leinart are focusing on Walker, they recognize Robinson has been impressive. However, his team’s record is holding the running back behind the rest of the candidates.

“Bijan Robinson. Heisman moments, great player but Texas is not winning right now,” said Bush. “So that’s why I only have Kenneth Walker in there.”

Additionally, Bush and Leinart added Desmond Ridder from Cincinnati can make his presence felt. However, they’re set in their top four — Bryce Young, Matt Corral, C.J. Stroud and Kenneth Walker III.