The Top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates in 2023: Can Caleb Williams win back-to-back awards?

USC’s Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 and is the betting favorite to become just the second two-time winner, joining only Ohio State’s Archie Griffin. 

Last week, I outlined the most viable (and logical) Top 5 candidates from each Power 5 conference (plus Notre Dame) for the nation’s most prestigious award. 

The SEC’s Top 5 candidates

The Big Ten’s Top 5 candidates

The ACC/Notre Dame’s Top 5 candidates

The Pac-12’s Top 5 candidates

The Big 12’s Top 5 candidates

There were plenty of potential candidates who are the longest of long-shots, but they deserved mention. But what about the most realistic Top 10 Heisman Trophy contenders?

Which players, and just as important these days — which quarterbacks on potential College Football Playoff teams — are best positioned to earn an invite to New York City in December. As a reminder, Williams became the first Heisman Trophy winner since Lamar Jackson in 2016 to not lead his team to the College Football Playoff. 

With few exceptions, this has become a QB award going to the guy on one of the country’s best teams. Maybe that will change this fall. I doubt it. 

Here’s my Top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates in 2023:

1. QB Caleb Williams, USC

Caleb Williams may have the best on-ramp opportunity to launch a back-to-back Heisman Trophy campaign in close to 50 years. 

USC is projected to win the Pac-12. Check. The Trojans return three of their top four wideouts and added Arizona’s Dorian Singer, who had 1,105 yards in 2022 — second-most in the league. Check. The junior quarterback will be in his third season in Lincoln Riley’s system. Check. Caleb Williams is an all-world talent. Check. 

If Williams replicates anywhere near last season’s production (47 touchdowns, over 4,900 total yards) and USC makes the College Football Playoff then he seems like a destined repeat winner.

2. QB Jordan Travis, Florida State

Jordan Travis enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2022, recording 32 total touchdowns en route to helping Florida State go 10-4. The sixth-year senior has improved every year, and now he’s surrounded by the best offensive line and set of skill-set talent he’s ever had at his disposal — headlined by the Seminoles’ addition of marquee transfer wideout Keon Coleman and tight end Jahiem Bell. 

Travis has a chance to make a statement in Week 1 in a neutral site affair against a Top 10 LSU, and with an FSU squad poised for a potential ACC Championship run, the veteran starter should be in the mix all fall. 

3. QB Quinn Ewers, Texas

Easily the Big 12’s most likely Heisman Trophy contender, Ewers was officially anointed QB1 for the Longhorns this spring after holding off Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning. 

The former No. 1 overall recruit flashed his 5-star talent against Alabama and Oklahoma last season, but he also struggled with injuries and inconsistencies. But after a strong spring and surrounded by the best supporting cast of playmakers not at Ohio State, Ewers should have a monster sophomore season. 

Beat Alabama in Week 2 or take Texas to the Big 12 Championship and Ewers will be among the favorites to win the award come the end of the year.

4. QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

J.J. McCarthy isn’t a Top 5 quarterback in all of college football in 2023, but when you’re the QB1 for a team that could go 12-0 in the regular season, you have a strong case at baseline as a Heisman Trophy candidate. 

McCarthy had a breakout performance against Ohio State last season (12 of 24 for 263 yards and three touchdowns), and if he helps the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes for a third-straight year en route to another Big Ten title, then he’s going to find himself on the shortlist of invitees to New York. 

The junior had 22 passing touchdowns in 2022, and with an even better-supporting cast this fall, his numbers could certainly improve with more experience and another season in Jim Harbaugh’s system.

5. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

If LSU lives up to its College Football Playoff potential in 2023, dual-threat quarterback Jayden Daniels figures to be a major reason why. 

The former Arizona State transfer excelled in his first season as the Tigers’ starter, holding off Garrett Nussmeier for the job and leading LSU to an upset over Alabama and an SEC West title. 

Playing behind a green offensive line, Daniels still had 28 total touchdowns and nearly 3,800 total yards. He’ll be surrounded by even better skill talent this fall, and Year 2 in Mike Denbrock’s system should boost his numbers, too. 

6. QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

Outside of the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, there’s no more talented QB in the country than UNC’s Drake Maye. As a redshirt freshman, Maye threw for over 4,300 yards with 38 touchdowns and just seven picks. He also led the Tar Heels with 698 rushing yards, adding seven scores on the ground. 

Maye lost his OC Phil Longo and top receiver Josh Downs, but there are still enough pieces in place for him to have a monster sophomore season before heading to the NFL. If North Carolina can continue to contend for an ACC title in 2023, then Maye is among the frontrunners to get invited to New York come December. 

7. QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame

The ACC’s all-time record holder in passing touchdowns is now the QB1 at Notre Dame, which instantly makes Sam Hartman a possible Heisman Trophy candidate in 2023. 

No longer at Wake Forest, Hartman’s talent will be shown on a bigger stage, especially against a schedule that features huge showdowns with Ohio State, USC and Clemson — all Top 10 teams. The Irish have a new OC, but they’ve reloaded the receiver room and have one of the better offensive lines in the country. 

Hartman has put up gaudy stats against lesser competition, but if he has similar production while helping Notre Dame contend for a College Football Playoff spot this fall then the senior QB will absolutely be in the mix for the nation’s most prestigious award.

8. QB Michael Penix, Washington

Michael Penix actually led the Pac-12 in total offense in 2022 — and it was almost exclusively off the southpaw’s arm. The former Indiana quarterback had just 92 rushing yards all season, but his 4,641 passing yards were the most nationally. 

Penix has thrived in Kalen DeBoer’s system and the Huskies return both their 1,000-yard wideouts (Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillian). 

After a surprising 11-2 season in 2022, if Penix can lead the Huskies to their first conference championship since 2016 then he has a strong chance to find his way to New York City.

9. QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson

This is a classic example of upside + positional value + team expectations = potential Heisman Trophy shortlist candidate. Cade Klubnick has limited experience, and the former 5-star recruit ran hot and cold during his short run as a starter for the Tigers. But he has immense talent, and there’s optimism his true potential will shine through under new OC Garrett Riley.

Klubnik led Clemson to a blowout win over North Carolina in the ACC Championship (20 of 24 for 279 yards and two total touchdowns) but then struggled to throw the ball into tight windows against Tennessee in a loss in the Orange Bowl (just 55.6 completion percentage, 5.9 per attempt with two picks). If he can help lead a resurgent Tigers offense back to the ACC Championship then he’ll be among the contenders for a NYC invite.

10. WR Marvin Harrison, Ohio State

Marvin Harrison is the best non-quarterback in all of college football, and the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner has the best shot to become just the second receiver this century (joining Alabama’s DeVonta Smith) to win the award this century. 

Harrison had 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, and he should have similar numbers this fall.  The unanimous All-American was the most valuable receiver in the country last season, per PFF. 

Honorable Mention: QB Bo Nix, Oregon: QB Carson Beck, Georgia; QB Kyle McCord, Ohio State; QB Joe Milton, Tennessee