All of the Power 5 conferences are now in full swing, and the Heisman Trophy picture is taking shape.
Here are the top five candidates for the award:
5. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
- 2,431 passing yards, 20 TD, 3 INT, 69.2% completion
He won't win the award due to his COVID-19-related absence, but Trevor Lawrence deserves a place on the list. The Clemson star has once again shown why it'd be a shock if he isn't the first name called in the 2021 NFL Draft. Lawrence has thrown 20 touchdowns against just three interceptions while piling up almost 2,500 yards passing despite missing two games and having another canceled. A rematch against Notre Dame awaits Clemson, with Lawrence set to suit up after missing the teams' first contest. How he handles the Fighting Irish's stout defense will be one of this season's best matchups.
4. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
- 1,305 yards receiving, 15 TD, 16.3 yards per catch
The Heisman has become a quarterback award in the last few years, but if there's one man who deserves to crash that party, it's DeVonta Smith. The Alabama receiver was a one-man wrecking crew last weekend versus LSU, recording seven catches for 219 yards and three touchdowns ... in the first half! Smith now leads the country in receiving yards and touchdowns while ranking second in receptions. He's as close to unguardable as any player in college football and will definitely be one of the first skill-position players taken in next year's draft. Unfortunately for his Heisman chances, he relies upon the second-ranked player on this list, Mac Jones, for the majority of his production.
3. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
- 1,407 yards passing, 15 TD, 3 INT, 78.1% completion
As is the case with Lawrence, COVID-19 will likely cost Justin Fields a chance at winning the Heisman despite him having a legitimate claim that he's the best player in college football. Fields has been brilliant, but there's a strong chance that he will only play in five or six games this season before voting happens after the Michigan game was canceled. The country's best dual-threat quarterback might not get the Heisman, but if the Buckeyes can get in the College Football Playoff, don't be shocked if Fields brings the championship back to Columbus.
2. Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
- 3,113 yards passing, 27 TD, 3 INT, 75.7% completion
Given the talent in Tuscaloosa, most people likely expected Jones to have a successful season with the Crimson Tide. It's highly unlikely anybody saw this type of production in his first year as a starter. Jones currently ranks fourth in the country in passing yards, tied for third in touchdowns, and he has the offense operating with the same explosiveness as Tua Tagovailoa did. Alabama is a virtual lock for the CFP even if it loses the SEC title game, so Jones will likely get his chance to shine on the brightest stage for the college football world.
1. Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
- 3,243 yards passing, 38 TD, 3 INT, 71.4% completion
For the seventh time this season Saturday, Kyle Trask threw at least four touchdown passes in a game. Like the rest of Florida's opponents, Tennessee's defense had no answer for the senior quarterback, as he completed 71% of his passes for 433 yards in the win. The Gators now get to face an LSU defense that just allowed Alabama's Jones to pass for 385 yards and four scores. If Trask can have his usual performance against the Tigers this weekend, the SEC title game against the Crimson Tide will likely decide both the conference champion and the Heisman winner.
