Heisman rankings – Week 5: Jalen Hurts, Tua trading haymakers

2. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

As mentioned, DeVonta Smith was the real star for Alabama on Saturday as the junior wide receiver set school records for both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. However, let’s not forget that it was still Tua Tagovailoa throwing him the football and the Crimson Tide quarterback continues to put up absurd numbers this season, week-in and week-out.

Tagovailoa burned Ole Miss on Saturday by going 26-of-36 for 418 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions and added a rushing touchdown for good measure. He’s now thrown 23 touchdowns and no interceptions through five games with 1,718 yards to his credit. If anyone expected him to take a step back from his near-Heisman pace last year, they’ve been sorely mistaken to start the year.

1. Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

In any other year, Tua would have a lock on the Heisman Trophy. Yet his former teammate, Jalen Hurts, continues to match him punch-for-punch this season after transferring to Oklahoma. Though he actually through his first interception of the 2019 season on Saturday against Texas Tech, he was again unbelievably impressive in the victory as he showed off his immense prowess with both his arms and legs.

Though Hurts didn’t play much in the second half, he still threw for 415 yards and three touchdowns against the Red Raiders and also added nine rushes for 70 yards and another score. Hurts now has 1,295 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air to go with 443 yards rushing and five touchdowns there. And once he starts having to play in the second half, finally, who knows how exponentially his production will increase.