With a new season right around the corner, theScore brings you the first edition of the Heisman Power Rankings. The 2023 race features some familiar faces and some new ones jockeying for position before the Dec. 9 ceremony to name the winner of college football's most illustrious award.
Yet, before that all goes down, let's take a look at the early contenders ahead of Week 0.
Honorable mentions: Jayden Daniels, Blake Corum, Bo Nix, J.J. McCarthy
6. Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
- (2022 stats) 2,177 passing yards, 58.1% completion, 16 total touchdowns, 6 INT
Ewers appeared destined to earn an invite to New York after an impressive start against Alabama last season. However, he was forced out of the game due to injury and never quite recaptured that form over the remainder of his season. With a year under his belt in coach Steve Sarkisian's system, Ewers is once again in position to lead the Longhorns to sustained national prominence. Sporting a powerful arm and a plethora of talent within Texas' receiving corps, Ewers should surpass his 2022 totals. With marquee matchups against Alabama and Oklahoma, Texas looks to provide one final hook'em before it departs the Big 12 for the SEC in 2024.
5. Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
- (2022 stats) 77 receptions, 1,263 receiving yards, 16.40 yards per reception, 14 total touchdowns
Despite being considered one of the best wide receiver prospects not in the NFL, Harrison faces a tall task as a candidate for the stiff arm trophy. Former Alabama wideout DeVonta Smith is the only pass-catcher to win the award since 1992. It may not matter who's throwing the ball for the Buckeyes this fall - just get the ball to No. 18. Harrison hauled in 77 catches for 1,263 yards and led the nation with 14 touchdown receptions. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound wideout is the son of legendary Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison, but he's already drawing comparisons to Pro Football Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson. With looming matchups against Indiana and Notre Dame in the first month of the season, Harrison has a good shot at making his case with the opportunity to see plenty of targets.
4. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
- (2022 stats) 3,214 passing yards, 64% completion, 32 total touchdowns, 5 INT
Expectations are high for Florida State ahead of the 2023 season. Leading the Seminoles into what'll be a pivotal season is redshirt senior quarterback Travis. The Florida native really came into his own in 2022. He threw for 3,214 yards with a 64% completion rate and a 24-5 TD-INT ratio. He also rushed for 417 yards to go along with seven touchdowns on the ground. FSU boasts an improved roster that has grander ambitions than just being competitive in the ACC. The 6-foot-1, 212-pound Travis appears poised to not only surpass his totals from last season but lead the Noles back into the national conversation. He'll have a chance to make some noise when the Noles kick off the season against LSU in Orlando on Sept. 3.
3. Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington
- (2022 stats) 4,641 passing yards, 65.3% completion, 35 total touchdowns, 8 INT
After spending the first four years of his career at Indiana, Penix enjoyed a fresh start at Washington. The 23-year-old led the country with a gaudy 357 passing yards per game and passed for 4,641 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions, with a 65.3% completion rate. Head coach Kalen DeBoer's aerial-friendly offense should allow Penix to put up video game stats once again. With a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan at his disposal, the senior signal-caller should be among the top contenders for the Heisman in a competitive Pac-12.
2. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
- (2022 stats) 4,321 passing yards, 66.2% completion, 45 total touchdowns, 7 INT
Prior to the 2022 season, Maye wasn't a household name. That quickly changed when the soon-to-be 21-year-old dazzled Tar Heels fans by showcasing his mobility and dynamic ability as a playmaker under center. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder was named the ACC Offensive Player of the Year and won the Shaun Alexander Award as the nation's top freshman. It's reasonable to expect Maye will be able to build on the 4,321 yards, 38 touchdowns, and 68.2% completion rate from his debut campaign.
Although he lost his top two receivers from last year's team, Maye possesses all the tools to elevate North Carolina to success and earn an invite to New York as a Heisman finalist. The Tar Heels kick off the season in a border clash with rival South Carolina on Sept. 2. Closing the season out with back-to-back games against Clemson and NC State could make or break Maye's candidacy.
1. Caleb Williams, QB, USC
- (2022 stats) 4,537 passing yards, 66.6% completion, 52 total touchdowns, 5 INT
It shouldn't be a surprise that the 2022 winner enters this season as the leader in the Heisman race. Williams dazzled in his first season at USC, keeping plays alive with both his arms and legs. It marked the third Heisman Trophy winner to be mentored by Trojans coach Lincoln Riley, following Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Former Ohio State running back Archie Griffin is the only player ever to win the Heisman twice (1974, 1975), but the 21-year-old Williams has a shot. After passing for 4,537 yards, rushing for 382 yards, and scoring 52 total touchdowns, the expectations that Williams can match or exceed those marks are fairly lofty. Yet, Williams has defied expectations since entering the collegiate ranks; does anyone dare doubt him again?
Williams will have plenty of opportunities to showcase his talents, with a generous schedule to begin the Trojans' 2023 season. A Sept. 30 showdown against a revamped Colorado squad, followed by a matchup with bitter rivals Notre Dame on Oct. 14, stand out as early marquee matchups. Williams' Heisman hopes could hinge on whether he can propel the Trojans into the College Football Playoff.
