Heisman Trophy Power Rankings: Hendon Hooker overtakes Stroud, Drake Maye makes statement
By Scott Rogust
Hendon Hooker has finally overtaken C.J. Stroud on the Heisman Trophy Power Rankings, but there is a new name to add to the list in North Carolina’s Drake Maye after Week 9.
The college football season has concluded its ninth week this past Saturday. This was an important week, as it gave the top teams in the nation to solidify their case to be one of the top four teams ranked in the very first College Football Playoff Rankings on Tuesday, Nov. 1. Besides that, the Heisman Trophy Power Rankings shook up a bit this past weekend.
For the majority of the season, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud was ranked at the top as the Heisman favorite. But this week, Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker may have just solidified his case to win the award over his Big Ten counterpart.
Not only that, but there was a big performance from one quarterback in the ACC that has put him in the power rankings for the first time this season.
Without further ado, here are the Week 9 Heisman Trophy Power Rankings.
Heisman Trophy Power Rankings, Week 9 edition
. Previous: . Drake Maye. 10. player. 838.
We start the rankings off with a new name — North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye. Taking over as the starter after Sam Howell declared for the NFL Draft, Maye has come into his own. He has the ability to throw the ball accurately, and can become a nightmare for defenses with his legs.
The Tar Heels defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers 42-24, thanks in part to a huge game from Maye. The freshman quarterback threw 34 completions for 388 yards and five touchdowns on 44 attempts. Maye also ran for 61 yards on 14 carries.
Following this contest, May has recorded 2,671 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, and three interceptions on a 71.4 completion percentage, while also rushing for 439 yards and three touchdowns on 98 carries.
If those numbers were not enough to show why Maye is a worthy Heisman candidate, here is more evidence. According to the ACC Network (via Mark Rogers), Maye is one of three FBS quarterbacks to ever average 300 passing yards per game and lead the team in rushing. The other two players to accomplish this feat are Johnny Manziel and Patrick Mahomes.
. Previous: . Chase Brown. 9. player. 807.
The Illinois Fighting Illini continued to pick up wins this season, as they are now 7-1. Once again, plenty of credit can be given to star running back Chase Brown.
As mentioned in previous editions of the Heisman Trophy Power Rankings, Brown has been a bell-cow running back for Illinois, picking up over 100 yards on the ground every game this season. That streak continued once again when the Fighting Illini took on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Brown ran for 149 yards and one touchdown on 32 carries against Nebraska, while also catching three passes from quarterback Tommy DeVito for 13 yards and a touchdown in the 26-9 victory.
This season, Brown has now recorded 1,208 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 224 carries.
Next week, Brown will take on a Michigan State Spartans defense that was bullied by Blake Corum.