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It’s never too early to discuss who will be bringing home the Heisman trophy at the end of the 2021 season. The prestigious award is on the eyes of every college athlete looking to take their game to the next level. Quarterbacks continue to be the position that hovers over this award, however this season that could change. Here are the top five Heisman candidates as the 2021 season is set to begin.
5. Breece Hall – Iowa State, RB.
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Yes, The Heisman Trophy has been a quarterback honor in recent years. However, Breece Hall can be the one to break the streak of quarterbacks taking home the hardware. Hall had an outstanding sophomore year, rushing for 1,572 Yds and 21 TD. The 2020 Big-12 Offensive Player of the Year is expecting another monster year and could easily move up these rankings as the season progresses.
4. Kedon Slovis – USC, QB
Congratulations @Kedonslovis on being named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List!#FightOn✌️ pic.twitter.com/3hwe9E0HVO
— USC Football (@USC_FB) August 23, 2021
With the Pac-12 competing under tough circumstances with the pandemic shortened season last year, Slovis didn’t have the numbers fans saw from him in his freshman season. During his freshman year in 2019, Slovis had 3,502 Yds with 30 TD. Last year with only six games on USC’s schedule, Slovis was on pace to break his freshman stats, finishing the season with 1,900 Yds and 17 TD.
3. D.J. Uiagalelei – Clemson, QB
Welcome to Fansville, D.J. Uiagalelei 🥤
Clemson's QB is believed to be the first college athlete to partner in a national TV commercial, joining Dr. Pepper's next series of ads. pic.twitter.com/SWk5k8DVXB
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 11, 2021
It isn’t hard to put an unproven quarterback this high on the list when he is playing at Clemson. The Tigers have had talent after talent under center during the Dabo Sweeney era. With Trevor Lawerence gone, it is finally time for the Uiagalelei era to begin. The former number one recruit has big shoes to fill, a task he will gladly welcome.
2. Sam Howell – UNC, QB
Sam Howell: 94.4 PFF Grade in the 4th quarter since 2019
Highest among all QBs 🥶 pic.twitter.com/17CEBid6QQ
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 22, 2021
Howell has already been the talk of many NFL Draft boards before even taking a snap in his junior season. Scouts have really high hopes for the North Carolina quarterback, and for good reason. Howell has thrown for over 7,000 Yds and 60 TD in his two years as the starter for the Tar Heels. He hasn’t thrown under 30 TD in any of his previous seasons, and nobody expects that to change this year.
1. Spencer Rattler – Oklahoma, QB
💪 @OU_Football fans have a lot to be excited about this season
The Big Noon Kickoff crew has @SpencerRattler as their preseason pick to win the Heisman Trophy this season 🏆 pic.twitter.com/EdpFCaMeaQ
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 20, 2021
Lincoln Riley’s offensives have been entertaining to watch in his tenure as the head coach for the Sooners. Rattler is just the next quarterback to be a part of this exciting offensive system. Riley has coached two former Heisman Trophy winners that were number one picks in the NFL Draft, in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Rattler hopes to be the next Sooner in line to bring home the trophy after a stellar 2020 season.
