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Heisman rankings after Week 3: Matt Corral looks unstoppable, Kenneth Walker III won’t be ignored

By Cody Williams

Sep 18, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) scores against Tulane Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) scores against Tulane Green Wave at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Heisman rankings Week 3
Blake Corum, Michigan Wolverines. Mandatory Credit: USA Today Sports/Detroit Free Press /

Matt Corral affirmed he’s a Heisman Trophy favorite in the early-season rankings after Week 3 while Kenneth Walker III can no longer be ignored.

Though it’s still a long time before the 2021 Heisman Trophy is handed out, one of the early themes of the college football season has been some of the heavy favorites letting down. And Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler has been at the forefront of that. Sure, the Sooners are 3-0 and his stats look good but he and the team have not passed the eye test. And many other players in the country have.

Especially considering that he entered this season atop the Heisman rankings, Rattler could reinsert himself into the mix (as one quarterback did after Week 3). However, with Week 3 now in the books, the Oklahoma signal-caller shocking has fallen outside the early top five of the Heisman Trophy race.

So who is ahead of Rattler and the rest of college football? Again, there’s a long way to go, but these five players are trying to separate themselves early in the 2021 Heisman race.

Heisman Trophy candidate No. 5: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

Just how potent the Michigan Wolverines rushing attack has been this season has been a shock but it’s been Blake Corum at the forefront of the ground game so far, as was the case in a blowout win over Northern Illinois in Week 3. For the game, Corum had just 13 carries but took them for 125 yards and three touchdowns, adding a 13-yard reception for good measure.

Corum has at least 100 yards rushing in all three games this season with 407 yards and eight total touchdowns to his credit. If he can keep running this efficiently as the level of competition starts to ramp up, he’ll have a viable shot at being a Heisman Trophy finalist when it’s said and done.

Heisman Trophy candidate No. 4: Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina

With the way North Carolina got physically outmanned in Week 1 and as Sam Howell threw two ugly picks, it was hard to believe he’d climb back into the Heisman race so quickly. But two monster performances in wins are enough to do that when you start the season as a favorite.

Howell went off in a win over Virginia, going 14-of-21 for 307 yards and five touchdowns, though he did throw an interception, while also rushing for 112 yards. He now has over 250 yards rushing and over 800 passing yards with 11 total touchdowns to his credit. If he can maintain that pace while also keeping the Heels in the win column, his candidacy for the award is undeniable.

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