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Heisman rankings after Week 5: Bijan Robinson makes statement, Matt Corral falters, Bryce Young lurks

By Cody Williams

Oct 2, 2021; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs with the ball as TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (1) defends during the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) runs with the ball as TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (1) defends during the second quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Heisman rankings Week 5
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Panthers. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Bijan Robinson claims the top spot in the Heisman rankings after Week 5 but Bryce Young, Desmond Ridder and more are lurking in the Heisman Trophy race. 

Every college football fan — or so it seemed — was certain about the 2021 Heisman Trophy race. It was all going to come down to Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler or North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell. Others might sniff the top of the rankings, but the trophy belonged to one of those two signal-callers.

We’re only five weeks into the year and neither of those preseason favorites is going to crack the top five of our Heisman rankings. Both have gotten off to inauspicious starts both individually and with their respective teams and, now, if they want to be in New York for the end-of-year ceremony, they have a long road ahead.

Part of that is on them but part of it is because other players have had no issue taking up the mantle as Heisman favorites. With that in mind, let’s dive into the Heisman rankings after the action in Week 5.

Heisman Trophy Rankings after Week 5: No. 5-4

T5. Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh

Because Pitt has a loss to Western Michigan and isn’t a perceived contender, not enough people are paying attention to the absurd numbers Kenny Pickett, who’s been in college for roughly a decade now, is putting up. And he added to them with a 389-yard, four-touchdown showing in the win over Georgia Tech on Saturday.

Pickett now has 1,731 yards, 19 touchdowns and only one interception on the season through five games, which is just absurd production, especially for a player whose career-high in yards was 3,098 and in touchdowns was 13 prior to this year. He’s on another level and deserves recognition for his efforts by being included in the Heisman race.

T5. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss

Yes, Corral and Ole Miss lost on Saturday to Alabama, a game that could’ve been a superstar-making performance for the Rebels quarterback. However, even with a lost fumble, going 21-of-29 for 213 yards with a passing and rushing touchdown does leave Corral is fine position to rebound.

Through four games, the veteran quarterback has thrown for 1,213 yards with10 touchdowns through the air along with six rushing touchdowns and over 150 yards on the ground as well. Not every matchup is going to be against Bama, so he’ll continue to light up the box score moving forward.

4. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State

Amid Michigan State’s shockingly great start to the season, the transfer from Wake Forest in the backfield has been an absolute star. He continued that against Western Kentucky with 24 carries for 126 yards and three touchdowns, propelling the Spartans to another win.

Walker now has 100 carries for 680 yards and eight touchdowns in the first five games of the season, also adding a receiving touchdown on one of his three catches as well. He’s been a stud out of nowhere and has earned his spot in these rankings.

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