A month into any season is typically when Heisman Trophy talk begins in earnest. This year’s so-called September Heisman, the player who dominates early conversation, is a runaway: LSU’s Leonard Fournette.
Fournette is the first player mainstream, national media outlets have dubbed a definitive favorite. And, as much as I hate spoiling my own No. 1, he’s a clear pace-setter of the CFB Huddle Heisman Top 10.
Beyond Fournette is where the conversation starts getting interesting. The rankings through Week 4 are much less fluid than previous entries in that everyone in the Top 10 this week was last week, as well.
However, there is movement within the Top 10 — due in part to bye weeks, mismatches or big performances.
A few names to note currently on the outside looking in:
Florida State RB Dalvin Cook: Florida State was off Week 4, giving Cook time to recover from an injury sustained in the second half Week 3 at Boston College.
Texas A&M WR Christian Kirk: On a roster loaded with receiver talent, freshman Christian Kirk has emerged as the Aggies’ primary playmaker.
Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes: Texas Tech’s loss to TCU certainly isn’t the fault of Patrick Mahomes. He passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third, giving him his fourth consecutive game of at least three scores on the season.
Should the Red Raiders factor into the top tier of the Big 12 — and they certainly can — Mahomes will have numbers worthy of Heisman consideration.
Navy QB Keenan Reynolds: Perhaps I’m applying my own conjecture here, but I really wouldn’t be surprised if you start seeing Keenan Reynolds’ name surface in some Heisman talk. The record-setting Navy quarterback leads the nation in rushing touchdowns.
UCLA QB Josh Rosen: After a very freshman-like showing in UCLA’s narrow escape vs. BYU, Josh Rosen came roaring back with an outstanding performance at Arizona.
