Heisman watch: Latest look at today’s leaders in the race
Florida Gators star Kyle Trask doesn’t like to talk about the Heisman Trophy race, but he did notice last week when someone put a Kyle Trask poster at the stadium’s Heisman plaza.
“I thought it was pretty funny,” Trask said.
Funny, or foreshadowing? His performance against Kentucky (21-of-27 passing for 256 yards and three touchdowns) didn’t hurt his chances. As Trask’s No. 6 Gators prepare to try to clinch the SEC East title this weekend at Tennessee, here’s an updated look at how UF’S standout quarterback compares to the rest of the field:
___
Kyle Trask, Florida quarterback (eight games)
Touchdown passes: 34 (first nationally) Interceptions: 3 Completion percentage: 71.4 (seventh)
Yards per attempt: 10.3 (T-seventh)
Passing efficiency: 196.79 (fifth)
Rushing: 36 carries, 88 yards, 0 TDS
Total yards per game: 362.3 (third)
Of note: Trask has thrown at least three touchdown passes in every game. The only three other quarterbacks to match that feat in the past 15 years, according to ESPN: Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence (2019), Oklahoma
Heisman winner Kyler Murray (2018) and Missouri’s Drew Lock (2017).
___
Kyle Pitts, Florida tight end (six games)
Receptions: 29 (outside the top 100)
Touchdown catches: 11 (fourth)
Yards per catch: 17.7 (50th)
Yards per game: 85.5 (T-37th)
Of note: Trask is the clear front-runner, but he’s probably not the best Kyle on his offense. Pitts is. But can a tight end who missed two games because of nose surgery make a serious charge at this award?
___
Mac Jones, Alabama quarterback (eight games)
Touchdown passes: 23 (T-seventh)
Interceptions: 3 Completion percentage: 76.2 (second)
Yards per attempt: 12.0 (second)
Passing efficiency: 207.96 (second)
Rushing: 22 carries, minus-3 yards, 1 TD
Total yards per game: 340.6 (fifth)
Of note: Jones torched Auburn for five touchdown passes in the Iron Bowl and could be in for another big game against sputtering LSU. The Heisman could come down to whether he outplays Trask in the SEC title game (assuming both make it there).
___
Devonta Smith, Alabama receiver (eight games) Receptions: 72 (third) Touchdown catches: 12 (T-first)
Yards per catch: 14.92 (outside top 100)
Yards per game: 134.3 (third)
Of note: Like Pitts and Trask, Smith will take votes away from Jones (and vice versa). But he’s one of the best receivers ‘Bama has ever had and deserves strong consideration.
___
Justin Fields, Ohio State quarterback (four games)
Touchdown passes: 13 (33rd)
Interceptions: 3 Completion percentage: 79.6 (first)
Yards per attempt: 10.7 (fifth)
Passing efficiency: 202.10 (fourth)
Rushing: 42 carries, 135 yards, 3 TDS
Total yards per game: 335.8 (seventh)
Of note: Fields is clearly a dynamic player, but his Buckeyes had another game canceled last week (against Illinois) and might not be able to play Saturday against Michigan State. Can you be the most outstanding player in the country while playing half as many games as some of your competitors?
___
Zach Wilson, BYU quarterback (nine games)
Touchdown passes: 26 (third)
Interceptions: 2 Completion percentage: 74.3 (third)
Yards per attempt: 11.5 (third)
Passing efficiency: 205.32 (third)
Rushing: 51 carries, 191 yards, 8 TDS
Total yards per game: 323.9 (11th)
Of note: Wilson was off Saturday and doesn’t have a game scheduled this week, either. That’s not great for trying to remain relevant in the race.
___
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson quarterback (seven games)
Touchdown passes: 19 (13th)
Interceptions: 2 Completion percentage: 70.6 (10th)
Yards per attempt: 9.8 (12th)
Passing efficiency: 178.74 (ninth)
Rushing: 37 carries, 80 yards, 4 TDS
Total yards per game: 330.9 (ninth)
Of note: Lawrence shined in his first game in a month, throwing for 403 yards and two touchdowns in a 52-17 blowout of Pitt. The presumptive No. 1 overall pick has a chance for more impressive numbers Saturday against a Hokies defense that’s No. 105 nationally in passing yards allowed per game. ___
Other names of note
— Buffalo running back Jaret Patterson has back-to-back 300-yard games and rushed for eight touchdowns last week against Kent State. He belongs in the discussion.
— Can Miami quarterback D’eriq King make a push at Duke after two weeks off?
— Tulsa linebacker
Zaven Collins’ campaign stalled thanks to the Golden Hurricane’s fifth in-season postponement/ cancellation.