2023-24 Heisman Watchlist
With the 2023-24 college football season coming up in a few months, let’s take a look at my Heisman favorites. Before we get started, I should note that this list is not in order of who I think will win. With that being said, let’s take a look at my pre-season Heisman favorites.
Drake Maye – North Carolina QB
Going into the 2023-24 college football season, Drake Maye is my favorite to win the Heisman. Last season, Maye had one of the best seasons of all CFB quarterbacks. He completed 339 of 516 passes for 4,293 yards and 37 touchdowns. I should also remind you that last season was his first season getting significant snaps for the Tar Heels. Although Maye doesn’t have as good of weapons around him as Caleb Williams, J.J. McCarthy, or Jordan Travis, he has enough to get the job done. The only thing that concerns me a lot about next season is the fact that he was sacked 43 times last season. But if he has a season similar to last season, he has a good chance of taking home the Heisman.
Caleb Williams – USC QB
Although it is unlikely, Caleb Williams has a solid chance of winning the Heisman in back-to-back seasons. Last season, he completed 66.5% of his passes for 4,539 yards and 42 touchdowns. Additionally, he only threw 5 interceptions which was only one more than his previous season at Oklahoma. Under Lincoln Riley’s offense, Williams is set up to succeed and put his team in contention to make the college football playoffs and be the 2nd person in history to win the Heisman in back-to-back seasons.
Jordan Travis – Florida State QB
Out of all the quarterbacks in contention for the Heisman, Travis may have the best weapons. In the backfield, he has a top-10 running back in the nation in Trey Benson. At wide receiver, he has 2024 NFL Draft prospects, Johnny Wilson and Mycah Pittman. Finally, at Tight End, he has another draft prospect in Jaheim Bell. Travis is entering his 6th collegiate season and 5th at Florida State. Last season, he completed 63.7% of his passes for 3,208 yards and 24 touchdowns. Although he will have to improve on his stats from last season, he definitely has the tools around him necessary to make a Heisman run.
Marvin Harrison Jr. – Ohio State WR
Outside of Drake Maye, Marvin Harrison Jr. is my 2nd favorite to win the Heisman. Last season, Harrison racked up 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was this efficient while having to share the wealth with the rest of the very talented Ohio State receiver corp. If he can increase the number of receptions made this season, he may have a season similar to DeVonta Smith’s 2020 Heisman winning season. The only reason the odds are against him is that he no longer has C.J. Stroud throwing to him.
Michael Penix Jr. – Washington QB
After several lackluster seasons at the University of Indiana, Penix Jr. made a name for himself during the 2022 season. He completed 65% of his passes for 4,641 yards and 31 touchdowns. This included a 408-yard game vs #6 Oregon toward the end of the season. If Penix can use his experience and weapons correctly, Penix could be a very convincing Heisman candidate. Additionally, he may punch his ticket into the top 15 selections in the draft.
Bo Nix – Oregon QB
Yet another Pac-12 quarterback that has a solid chance of winning the Heisman in 2024. In his first season at Oregon, Nix threw a career-high 409 passes and completed 294 of those for 3,593 yards and 29 touchdowns. Additionally, he ran the ball 89 times for 510 yards and 14 touchdowns. Although a few of his weapons entered the 2023 NFL Draft, he still has enough talent and experience around him to help him make a statement in 2023-24.
2023 Heisman Trophy Contenders Analyst – Matthew Lewis
