Heisman candidate No. 4: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
One of the big questions for the Crimson Tide this season (there were very few of them, to be sure) was how Mac Jones would operate at the helm of this offense. He looked good in relief of Tua Tagovailoa last season but we didn’t know if he had the make-up to put up the same gaudy stats that his predecessor did. As Texas A&M can attest to, Jones is more than ready to pour it on.
In the big win over the Aggies, Jones consistently showed off his ability to throw deep as he completed 20-of-27 passes for 435 yards and four touchdowns, though he did toss an interception. Even still, Jones has 684 yards and six touchdowns in basically just 5.5 quarters of action so far this season. Staying at that pace is going to make plenty of believers out of college football fans and, more importantly, Heisman Trophy voters.
Heisman candidate No. 3: D’Eriq King, QB, Miami
D’Eriq King and the Miami Hurricanes weren’t in action for Week 5 but what the Houston transfer has done through three games in the midst of The U’s hot start has been head-turning. The quarterback has completed 67 percent of his passes for 736 yards, six scores and no interceptions while also rushing for 157 yards and a touchdown as well. He’s been everything Manny Diaz and his staff were hoping he’d be for this offense.
As of right now, the biggest thing working in King’s favor as a Heisman candidate is the narrative. He has Miami looking like a viable contender in the ACC and bringing the Canes “back” is going to earn him some votes in itself — and his stats don’t hurt either. Having said that, the Hurricanes travel to Clemson next week, which will tell us much more about King’s status in this race and about Miami’s place in the conference.