Heisman rankings Week 9: Joe Burrow leads, Chase Young enters mix

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 26: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes takes down Jack Coan #17 of the Wisconsin Badgers during game action between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers on October 26, 2019, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1 of 6

Chase Young has made his statement as a Heisman Trophy candidate but Joe Burrow leads the way in the rankings after passing another test in Week 9.

In the illustrious history of the Heisman Trophy, you might as well call it an offensive award. Only one player to play the majority of his snaps on defense has ever won the most prestigious individual award in college football, Charles Woodson out of Michigan in 1997. And chances are, that trend is going to continue in the 2019 season. Ohio State defensive end Chase Young is going to make it a conversation at the very least, though.

Registering a half-sack in every game and at least one sack in all but one game leading up to Week 9, Young put himself on track to have a historic pass-rushing season for the Buckeyes. In the biggest matchup for the Buckeyes to date this season, taking on Wisconsin on Saturday, Young not only increased his record pace but cemented his spot in the Heisman Trophy rankings.

Young had a four-sack day against the Badgers, absolutely taking over the game in a dominant victory for Ohio State. In truth, the biggest thing limiting the Heisman candidacy for Young (other than being a defensive end) has been that the Buckeyes have been so good that he’s not been on the field for more than a half in most games. But he showed how unbelievably good he can be when he does play the majority of the outing.

As good as Chase Young was and how firmly he inserted himself into the Heisman conversation, he’s still not a top candidate. LSU quarterback Joe Burrow continued his ascension in the college football ranks as he led the Tigers past another top-10 opponent, throwing for 300 yards and looking like a star in the process. And with Jalen Hurts and Oklahoma losing, that performance was huge for Burrow.

Even still, the 2019 Heisman race is far from over. Tua Tagovailoa could return from injury and rise up the rankings once again, Burrow could increase his lead or Hurts could storm back — or maybe Young makes history. Regardless, let’s get into the top 10 Heisman rankings after Week 9.

Home/Heisman Trophy