Heisman watch: Trevor Lawrence wrecks Georgia Tech, Mac Jones eviscerates Georgia

Heisman Trophy candidate No. 8: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

If Jaylen Waddle didn’t play in the same offense as DeVonta Smith and Josh Metchie III, he would be a top-three player in these Heisman rankings. Alas, those guys demand too many touches for Waddle to truly emerge that high in the rankings. But his performance in Week 7 in a resounding win over Georgia for Alabama shows why he’s one of the most electrifying players in college football.

Punctuating by a game-changing 90-yard touchdown in the second half, Waddle finished the win over the Bulldogs with six catches for 161 yards and the aforementioned score. That already gives Waddle 25 receptions for 557 yards and four touchdowns. The speedster has been downright unstoppable to this point and, if he keeps going, even the embarrassment of riches around him may not be enough to stop him from climbing higher in these rankings.

Heisman Trophy candidate No. 7: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

If we were talking solely about the most talented offensive players in the country, Clemson running back Travis Etienne would be in the top three. Having said that, you have to produce consistently if you want to earn hardware. And while Etienne has put forth a nice overall season to this point, Lawrence throwing the rock all over the yard hinders the running back’s candidacy.

That was evidenced against Georgia Tech as Etienne earned only 11 carreis, taking those for 44 yards and a touchdown, while catching two balls for 29 yards. Etienne now has over 400 yards rushing on fewer than 70 carries with five touchdowns along with over 250 yards receiving. Having said that, if Clemson continues to air it out, he’s going to have a hard time making his case as a Heisman finalist.