Top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates 2022: Can Bryce Young repeat?

2. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

We’ve made it to the unsurprising portion of the programming as two of the Heisman Trophy finalists from this year will be back in college next season as they are not yet draft eligible. The first on the docket is the one who didn’t win, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.

It’s wild to think that some fans questioned the validity of Stroud as the starter for the Buckeyes given where he ended up. At the end of the year, the redshirt freshman threw for 3,862 yards with 38 touchdowns to just five interceptions. And you have to wonder if he’d have been able to beat Michigan if he’d have been closer to Young in the voting.

Regardless, Stroud showed he’s a stud who is capable of big things, especially in Ryan Day’s offense with a shockingly deep wide receiver corps with reinforcements ready to step in immediately.

1. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Of course Bryce Young is going to lead the 2022 Heisman Trophy candidates — how could the quarterback who won the award in the 2021 season not?

Young absolutely lived up to the hype for the Crimson Tide when you look at the ridiculous numbers he put up this year. He finished the season completing 68 percent of his passes for 4,322 yards, 43 touchdowns and a minuscule four interceptions. Oh yeah, he also added three rushing scores, even if he doesn’t run all that often.

What’s crazy is that Young got better as the year went on and the Crimson Tide coaching staff allowed him more freedom. That should be the case for all of next season with another loaded receiving corps around him. It feels safe to say that, barring injury, someone is going to have to do something special to keep Young from repeating as the winner.

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