Ranking the 10 best early Heisman Trophy candidates for 2023
Drake Maye could’ve been a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2022
Particularly with UNC offensive coordinator Phil Longo leaving for Wisconsin, there was a ton of speculation that breakout star quarterback Drake Maye could transfer out of Chapel Hill. But after declaring his intentions to stay with the program — far from a shocking decision given his family’s ties to the university — he comes back as perhaps the most obvious challenger to dethrone Caleb Williams for the Heisman Trophy.
As a redshirt freshman, Maye had the Tar Heels in the ACC Championship Game and even on track for a dark-horse CFP spot before falling off at the end of the year. And he did this almost singlehandedly as he led the team in rushing while also throwing for 4,115 yards, 35 scores and seven interceptions while being saddled with one of the worst defenses in the country.
Maye will have to prove it again as there have been many transfers out of North Carolina already but he showed right away that he has all the tools and could be an elite talent.
Caleb Williams has the best chance to repeat of any winner in recent memory
This wasn’t a hard call for the No. 1 Heisman Trophy contender next season — it’s the guy who just hoisted the trophy on Saturday night.
Caleb Williams has it all. Despite having a roster that, frankly, was overall lackluster (particularly on defense), he was an injury in the Pac-12 Championship Game from punching USC’s ticket to the College Football Playoff. He totaled 4,075 passing yards with 37 touchdowns and only four picks while rushing for 372 yards and 10 more trips to the end zone. He’s electric and should only get better, especially as his situation improves.
Though Lincoln Riley did a great job with the Trojans in year one, now that he can add more talent via recruiting and the transfer portal, we should see even another tick up for USC in the 2023 season. That’s only going to make Williams more dangerous and could very well make him only the second two-time Heisman Trophy winner in college football history.
Archie Griffin ain’t bad company.
Next. College Football Playoff: How 12-team CFP would play out. dark
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