Heisman Watch 2019: Week 1 – All eyes on superstar quarterbacks

The first Heisman Watch of the season takes a look at the Week 1 matchups facing Heisman candidates, such as Trevor Lawrence and Tua Tagovailoa.

The most prestigious award in collegiate athletics is and will always be the Heisman trophy. It is rewarded yearly to the best player in college football and provides a long-lasting legacy for every single winner. No matter what becomes of a player’s career post-college, they’ll always be addressed as Heisman trophy winner.

Last season, we saw the Oklahoma Sooners go back-to-back with as Kyler Murray won after Baker Mayfield in 2017. A feat that had not been accomplished since the 1940s when Army’s Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis won in consecutive seasons.

2019 is shaping up to be an entertaining battle as several players could find themselves holding the trophy by season’s end. There are established stars who are looking to build off their great 2018 campaigns (Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa) along with new starters in new places (Justin Fields, Jalen Hurts) who have all the talent and support to light it up in 2019.

However, expect the quarterbacks to be headliners as they have taken the award all but three times since 2000. According to Bovada, the top seven favorites to win the Heisman are quarterbacks with running back Jonathan Taylor being the first non-quarterback.

Will this season see much of the same? Or will a different skill player have such a tremendous season that he can’t be denied?

Let’s look at five Heisman candidates and who they will be facing in week 1 of the college football season.