With most teams having played multiple Conference games, the top players of the season and the general feel of Conference hierarchies have been figured out. The best teams are known, the best players are known. Therefore, the Heisman contenders are known through the first third-plus of the season.
At least 10 players have a solid case for the trophy, with a couple of interesting competitors. That being said, there are several pretenders that will need a string of Heisman-worthy games to stay in consideration and top the rest of the pack.
Kentucky RB – Ray Davis, Contender
Against a ranked Florida team, Davis was all Kentucky needed to improve to 5-0 and breach the AP Top 25 at No. 20. On 26 attempts, he tallied 280 yards and scored three times. It was by far the best game he has had and he built off his strong performances against Ball State and Akron.
With 76 carries, 594 yards, eight TDs, and an average of 7.8 yards per rush, he has looked incredible through five games. He and Kentucky can prove themselves legit in their next match against No. 1 Georgia. If the Wildcats continue to feed him the ball at a high rate and he can continue to average 6.0 or more yards a carry, he should be far from overlooked in the Heisman discussion.
WSU QB – Cam Ward, Contender
A bye week in week five was not enough to forget about the man leading the No. 13 WSU offense. In the Pac-12, the best Conference in terms of overall QB play and which has multiple Heisman contenders, Ward ranks third in completion percentage (74.6%), third in yards per game (347.5), fifth in TD’s with one less game (13), third in efficiency (187.1) and most attempts without an interception (142).
Ward has significantly improved his ball security since 2022 and with every Coug win, he moves up the Heisman ladder and into the national conversation.
Texas QB – Quinn Ewers, Pretender
Despite living in the statistical stat-padding heaven that is the Big 12, Ewers ranks in the middle of the pack among QBs across the nation. With 1,358 yards, 10 TDs and one interception, he is far from being a bad candidate, but many other players pace him statistically.
He benefits greatly from playing for Texas as if they go undefeated, there are few players in the nation who will get more hype or be in a market even close to contending with the Longhorns. But, it is not an easy road for Ewers and Texas, and they will be put to the test Saturday against Oklahoma.
USC QB – Caleb Williams, Contender
Of course, the reigning winner is a contender when he continues to play the way he has. He has a higher completion percentage, higher QB rating, higher average yards per attempt and looks more confident than ever in 2023 compared to 2022.
Voter fatigue is a thing and other QBs having similar seasons will likely bump Williams down ever so slightly, but he is still there. So far he has 1,603 yards, Pac-12 leading 21 TDs and only one interception while completing 74.5% of his passes.
Notre Dame RB – Audric Estime, Pretender
The Fighting Irish have already lost a big game, so they will stay under the radar for trophies and awards until other teams get upset or have bad statistical games. Especially for running backs, it is very important to be on an undefeated team and have a stronger output than anyone in your position group.
With Davis of Kentucky also in contention, Estime finds himself in an even tougher position. With 95 carries, 672 yards, seven TDs and 7.1 yards per carry, he is a workhorse who deserves recognition, but if Davis gets the ball more and keeps his production up, Estime will be left in the dust.
