Heisman rankings: Jalen Hurts picks up where Kyler Murray left off

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 1: Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs in the backfield against the Houston Cougars at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 1, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Sooners defeated the Cougars 49-31. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /

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CLEMSON, SOUTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 29: Running back Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers rushes for a touchdown during the second quarter of the Tigers’ football game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Memorial Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /

4. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

The Trevor Lawrence hype train has dominated the Clemson Tigers narratives coming into 2019. And there’s no denying just how talented the sophomore quarterback is. However, running back Travis Etienne showed on Thursday night against Georgia Tech that the all-world quarterback may not be the best Heisman Trophy candidate coming out of Death Valley this season.

While Lawrence was pedestrian and threw two interceptions, Etienne was unstoppable. The running back amassed 205 yards and three touchdowns on just 12 carries against the Yellow Jackets, showcasing his big-play ability and effectiveness as a runner. That’s not going to stop against a questionable ACC this season and Etienne could be in store for a monster year.

3. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

What will Justin Fields look like in his first start for the Ohio State Buckeyes? Even up against Lane Kiffin’s Florida Atlantic Owls, that was the question everyone was wondering. Well, Fields ended his first drive at the helm of Ryan Day’s offense with an electric 51-yard rushing touchdown and didn’t look back after that, submitting a highly impressive debut that vaults him immediately into the top three of these rankings.

On the day, Fields completed 18 of his 25 passes for 234 yards and four touchdowns in addition to 61 total yards rushing and the aforementioned score. There’s no question, if Fields wants to be seriously considered for the award, he’ll need to increase his yardage output as the season goes on. But for the first start of his college football career, the Ohio State quarterback put fans on notice.

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