2021 Heisman preview: CBS Sports ranks five contenders to watch

Opening weekend of the 2021 college football season is less than a month away. Ahead of that, CBS Sports writer Dennis Dodd ranked his top five contenders for the 2021 Heisman Trophy. Dodd tabs three quarterbacks, a running back and a linebacker as his five players to watch for the award.

Here are Dodd’s five players to watch for the Heisman:

Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma: Rattler came in as Oklahoma’s starting quarterback in 2020 with lofty expectations and a lot of pressure. He didn’t get off to the start that many envisioned for him, but Rattler turned things around and led Oklahoma to its sixth consecutive Big 12 title. Rattler completed 67.5 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards, 28 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He added 160 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. If Rattler plays at the level that is expected of him, the Sooners’ offense is going to be dangerous in 2021. Expectations are high in Oklahoma. A big part of that is because of Rattler’s potential.

DJ Uiagalelei, Clemson: Exit Trevor Lawrence, enter Uiagalelei. He got a chance play in a couple of games last season, including keeping Clemson in a game against a very good Notre Dame team. In his two starts against Boston College and Notre Dame, Uiagalelei accounted for more than 800 total yards and six touchdowns. Coming out of high school, he was a highly touted recruit with great size and immense talent. Uiagalelei has already shown that in limited time with Clemson, and now he gets his shot to do it as the Tigers’ starting quarterback. Some believe that Uiagalelei could be just as good, if not better than Lawrence. If he lives up to that potential, he will be one of the top contenders for the Heisman in 2021.

JT Daniels, Georgia: Daniels started his career at USC before tearing his ACL early in the 2019 season. When Kedon Slovis emerged at USC, Daniels elected to transfer to Georgia. Daniels returned for the final four games in 2020, and he showed the elite downfield potential that he came in with. He completed 67.2 percent of his passes with 1,231 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions as Georgia went 4-0 in its final four games, including a Peach Bowl victory over Cincinnati. With a full offseason in the books and some game experience in Athens under his belt, Daniels is poised for a monster 2021 season.

Breece Hall, Iowa State: The nation’s 2020 rushing leader returns for another year at Iowa State. Hall ran for 1,572 yards and 21 touchdowns last year. The closest competitor in terms of yardage finished more than 100 yards behind Hall. His 21 touchdowns trailed only Alabama’s Najee Harris. Hall is in line to be the focal point of Iowa State’s offense yet again. If he dominates the nation as he did a year ago, he could make a serious run at the Heisman.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon: The only defensive player on this list, Thibodeaux is a dominant linebacker for Oregon. Thibodeaux is entering the season as a third-year sophomore. He has 12 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss in 21 career games, adding 73 tackles, three pass deflections and one forced fumble. Thibodeaux is one of the top defensive players in the country. Which should make him one of the more serious underdog contenders in the 2021 Heisman race. If he has a dominant season as many expect him to, his stock will continue to rise.

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