Heisman rankings - Week 1: Rodney Anderson a sleeping giant

Heisman rankings – Week 1: Rodney Anderson a sleeping giant

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 01: Oklahoma Sooners running back Rodney Anderson (24) runs past Florida Atlantic Owls defensive end Damian Horton (55) during the Florida Atlantic Owls game versus the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, OK.(Photo by Alonzo Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 01: Quarterback Dwayne Haskins (7) of the Ohio State Buckeyes drops back for a pass in a game between the Oregon State Beavers and the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 01, 2018 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Taking over for a player like JT Barrett is not going to be an easy task for any young college football player, but that’s what Ohio State put on sophomore quarterback Dwayne Haskins coming into this season. He won the starting nod in a heated competition at the position and, in a high-scoring offensive affair on Saturday, he made sure to show everyone why that was the case.

Haskins finished the day going 22-of-30 for 313 yards, five touchdowns and a lone interception. Though Oregon State isn’t the highest level of competition in the Power 5 conferences, Haskins still made them look less than mediocre on the defensive side of the ball. While the competition is about to ramp up for the Buckeyes, this was undoubtedly a strong start for Haskins trying to make a name for himself.

3. Will Grier, QB, West Virginia

In truth, the majority of the Heisman Trophy candidates for 2018 weren’t put to the test in the first week of the new season. However, one of the few who did face seemingly stiff competition was West Virginia Mountaineers senior quarterback Will Grier. Going up against a hungry Tennessee Volunteers team with a new head coach ready to prove himself, Grier had his work cut out for him — or so it seemed.

Once the ball was kicked off and Grier was able to shake off some of the rust of the offseason, the quarterback looked near infallible out there. He finished the afternoon going 25-of-34 for 429 yards and five touchdowns, while also avoiding an interception, leading the Mountaineers to a 40-14 win. Simply put, Grier made it look as if he’s not going anywhere in this race.

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