Heisman Watch – Week 8

2. Ty Simpson, Alabama, Quarterback, Junior

Simpson has been good for Alabama all year. Even in that baffling loss to Florida State. Simpson delivered again this past Saturday against Tennessee going 19 of 29 for 253 yards and two touchdowns. This season, Simpson is 153 of 218 for 1,931 yards and 20 total touchdowns (18 passing, two rushing). Alabama plays South Carolina this week as they and Simpson try to march on toward big goals.

3. Julian Sayin, Ohio State, Quarterback, Sophomore

The only reason I don’t have Sayin at the top is because he’s throwing to the two best receivers in college football. Still, his accuracy is at an insane level. He was 36 for 42 for 393 yards and four touchdowns in the 34-0 win over Wisconsin. His season totals are 156 for 195, completing 80% of his passes, for 1,872 yards and 19 touchdowns. The Buckeyes have this week off.

4. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt, Quarterback, Senior

Pavia was 14 of 22 for 160 yards and a touchdown passing and added 86 yards and two touchdowns rushing on 17 carries in Vandy’s victory over LSU. On the year, he is 129 of 183 for 1,589 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also has 77 carries for 438 yards and four touchdowns rushing. In a big game for Pavia’s Heisman hopes, Vanderbilt will play Missouri this Saturday.

5. Jeremyiah Love, Notre Dame, Running Back, Junior

The two biggest obstacles for Love to overcome to win the Heisman are having his competitors play on conference championship weekend while he does not. The next one is his own teammate who is also an elite running back, Jadarian Price. Love has 124 carries for 724 yards and nine touchdowns with 19 catches for 197 yards and three touchdowns receiving. Price has 76 carries for 509 yards and nine total touchdowns. Give Love even half of Price’s stats in addition to his own and he’s the runaway favorite. Love, Price, and Notre Dame are reminding me of Ohio State, Quinshon Judkins, and TreVeyon Henderson in 2024.

In the Race

Ahmad Hardy, Missouri, Running Back, Sophomore

Hardy’s 139 carries for 840 yards and 11 touchdowns this season are a huge reason why Missouri is 6-1. His 840 yards are third most in the nation, and his 11 touchdowns are second. His place in this race will be decided a lot this Saturday when Missouri and Vanderbilt play.

Haynes King, Georgia Tech, Quarterback, Senior

King has been Georgia Tech’s Tim Tebow this year, getting it done both in the passing game and in the running game. King has 1,736 yards of total offense and 14 total touchdowns, and is the reason Georgia Tech is undefeated. He’ll need some bigger numbers to stay in this race. His next task is this weekend when Georgia Tech plays Syracuse.

Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State, Wide Receiver, Sophomore

Smith is what makes the Ohio State passing game work. As good as Sayin, and fellow receiver Carnell Tate are, every defense the Bucks have faced has been geared to stopping Smith. That has opened everything else up. Despite so much attention from opposing defenses, Smith still has 49 catches for 602 yards and eight total touchdowns.

LJ Martin, BYU, Running Back, Junior

Martin and his quarterback Bear Bachmeier are getting things done for BYU the hard nosed way. They do lots of interior running and it hinges on LJ Martin. Like, Jeremiah Smith, the attention he gets opens up the rest of the offense, and he still gets his. Martin has 127 carries for 774 yards and four touchdowns and has 11 receptions for 82 yards receiving. BYU has a big road game at Iowa State this week.

Cam Cook, Jacksonville State, Running Back, Junior

When you’re the nation’s leading rusher, you have to get some respect. Cook had 18 carries for 117 yards and three touchdowns in Jacksonville State’s 38-25 win over Delaware. The victory put Jax State into first place in Conference USA. Cook has 160 carries for 949 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also has 167 receiving yards. It will be interesting to see if he can stay in the Heisman race.

There plenty of good players who are still only a great game away from being back in the top ten. Dante Moore of Oregon, Marcel Reed and Mario Craver of Texas A&M, Blake Horvath of Navy, and an early season leader, John Mateer. The race for the Heisman in 2025 is wide open.