Once again, the potential for a repeat Heisman Trophy winner exists in 2022. Alabama QB Bryce Young returns to run the Crimson Tide offense. While his team is the favorite to win this year’s College Football Playoff national championship, Young is not the favorite to win a second straight Heisman Trophy.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise since there has only been one repeat winner of college football’s top award throughout its history. That was back in the 1970s and ever since only a handful of players have even had the opportunity to repeat.
There aren’t many surprises among this year’s Heisman favorites. Quarterbacks once again dominate the board. Since 2005, only two non-quarterbacks have won the award. Both were running backs and, ironically, both were from Alabama – Mark Ingram in 2009 and Derrick Henry in 2015.
History could be made this season. There is the potential for a repeat Heisman Trophy winner. There is also potential for a non-quarterback to win the award in 2022. Anything is possible. Here is a look at the 2022 Heisman Trophy favorites.
Ohio State QB the Favorite
Young is not the favorite, but Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud is. The Buckeyes star threw for 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns last season, but remember Ohio State lost to Michigan in the season finale. That loss, coupled with an earlier defeat to Oregon, left the Buckeyes out of the CFP.
Stroud went on to cap his season with a record-setting performance in the Rose Bowl. He completed 37-of-46 passes for 573 yards and six touchdowns. Heading into 2022, Stroud is the +200 favorite to win. The Buckeyes are once again favored to win the Big Ten and get back to the CFP. If they do that, Stroud has a great chance of winning this year’s Heisman.
Young’s Status
Young is next on the board at +350. He’s not likely to win the Heisman in consecutive seasons. Ohio State RB Archie Griffin is the only player to do so. Florida State QB Jameis Winston and Louisville QB Lamar Jackson both had the opportunity to repeat but failed.
Part of the reason for Young not being the favorite is his receiving corps. He will not have Jameson Williams or John Metchie III – both in the NFL – this season. With those two on the field last year, Young averaged 8.7 yards per dropback. With them off the field, that number dropped to 6.4. No returning Alabama wide receiver had more than 250 receiving yards in 2021.
Williams at New School
When his head coach Lincoln Riley left to take the job at USC, former Oklahoma QB Caleb Williams decided to follow. Williams took over as the Sooners’ starter last year and was very good in his first four games. He completed 73 percent of his passes, averaged over 15 yards per completion, and had a QB rating of 211.7.
In his last four games as the Sooners’ starter, Williams came back to earth. He completed 57 percent of his passes and QB rating dropped to 133.2. The poor play at the end of last season is why Williams is listed at +800 to win this year’s Heisman.
The Non-QBs
No other player is given better than Williams’ +800 odds. Texas RB Bijan Robinson is next on the board at +1600. The Longhorns running back ran for 1,127 and 11 touchdowns last season. Texas will have a new quarterback in transfer Quinn Ewers. Head coach Steve Sarkisian is known for utilizing offensive talent.
Best of the Rest
It’s interesting that Ewers is also on the Heisman betting board. He is one of four players given +2000 odds. Ohio State RB TreVeyon Henderson had better numbers than Robinson last season He rushed for 1,248 and 15 touchdowns. Clemson QB D.J. Uiagalelei had a rough start in 2021. He should be much improved in 2022. Anthony Richardson will be the sole starter at quarterback for the Florida Gators and should do well in new head coach Billy Napier’s offense.
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