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Heisman rankings Week 2: Joe Burrow enters the conversation

By Cody Williams

AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 07: Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - SEPTEMBER 07: Joe Burrow #9 of the LSU Tigers celebrates after a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 07: Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Chase Young #2 and Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Damon Arnette #3 tackle Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Trent Cloud #13 during game action between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Bearcats on September 7, 2019, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

10. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

There’s a good chance that Chase Young is the first non-quarterback taken in the 2020 NFL Draft, if not the first overall pick. And after two weeks, it’s also become clear that he’s the best defensive player in the country in regards to potential Heisman Trophy candidacy. On Saturday afternoon in a dominant win over Cincinnati, the defensive end showed out for the second straight week.

Against the Bearcats, Young notched 1.5 sacks and three total tackles on the day. This comes on the heels of another dominant effort in the first week of the season as he tallied another 1.5 sacks and five total tackles against Florida Atlantic. The Ohio State star is now on pace for 18 sacks this season and he doesn’t appear to be showing any signs of relenting from that break-neck pace either.

9. Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State

In Week 1, new Washington State starting quarterback Anthony Gordon lit up New Mexico State to the tune of five touchdowns and 420 yards. Given the strength of other performances throughout college football and the level of competition, though, I elected to take a wait and see approach with Gordon. Well, after waiting and then seeing him light up Northern Colorado, he climbs into the top 10.

Gordon followed up his impressive debut last week with another strong effort, going 31-of-39 for 464 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Through just two games, the quarterback now has almost 900 yards passing and nine touchdowns and one pick. In Mike Leach’s high-octane offense, those video-game numbers should continue and, if Gordon can do it as the level of competition ramps up, he’ll be a dark-horse riser in this conversation.

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