The College football season is underway, and some quarterbacks are putting themselves in the middle of the early-season Heisman race.
- Bryce Young (Alabama)
Alabama quarterback Bryce Young has been dynamite in his three outings this season, his first as the starter for the nation’s standard program.
The diminutive Young has thrown ten touchdowns and zero interceptions in Alabama’s three wins. He’s displayed a moxie and poise rarely seen from a first-year starter, especially in the ultra tough SEC.
If there’s one thing he can do better it’s run a little more. Using his legs is something we know Young can do, as he did a lot while leading powerhouse Mater Dei. Young is the clear-cut top contender for the Heisman Trophy.
Bryce Young throws a DIME for this Bama TD 🎯
(via @CBSSports)pic.twitter.com/B0QAWL9fbz
— Bleacher Report CFB (@BR_CFB) September 18, 2021
2. Matt Coral (Ole Miss)
In 2020, Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin let quarterback Matt Corral absolutely loose. He didn’t stop Corral from playing his style of football, which is a high-risk act, to say the least.
MATT CORAL HYPE TRAIN IS UP https://t.co/bJHfBwOL9C
— Texans Brasil (@TexansBR) September 19, 2021
At times it led to some excellent results.
Who can forget his epic performance in the Rebels’ 63-48 loss to eventual national champion Alabama ? The Southern California kid threw it all around Oxford for 365 yards and two touchdowns.
In fact 11 of Corral’s 14 interceptions came in two games (six versus Arkansas and five versus LSU).
This season he’s cut down on the mistakes, and if he continues to do so he’ll also continue to show the NFL scouts what they’ve raved about since he was in high school but with more discipline.
Nine touchdowns and 997 yards with no interceptions in three starts in 2021 isn’t bad at all. He even used his legs in Week 3 with four rushing touchdowns.
3. Malik Willis (Liberty)
You might want to get a head start on the Malik Willis bandwagon. The Auburn transfer has done wonders for Hue Freeze at Liberty.
He can flat sling it, and he’s great with his legs as well. Liberty isn’t the biggest school, and Willis still has bouts of inconsistency with his passing, but the upside is absolutely undeniable. He shows all the potential to be a high draft pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Flames went 10-1 last season with Willis leading the way. This week they’re just outside the Top 25 after a convincing 45-17 win over Old Dominion, where Willis was magnificent in accounting for six touchdowns through three quarters.
Malik Willis Vs Old Dominion tonight…
19/26 220 passing Yards
4 passing TDs
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9 carries for 81 Yards 9.0 YPC
1 rushing TD… so yes you read that right….FIVE total TDs tonight with 301 total yards.
~
I need to be a Texan next season 🤝 pic.twitter.com/pYY6LACtGs— Clutch City Entertainment (@ClutchCityENTX) September 19, 2021
4. Sam Howell (North Carolina)
Sam Howell, is a special talent at QB, there’s no denying that, but following the UNC Tar Heels’ 17-10 opening game loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies folks questioned him.
Winning ACC player of the week honors for #UNC:
— QB Sam Howell
— RB Ty Chandler
— WR Josh Downs
— RG Marcus McKethan (co-offensive lineman of week) pic.twitter.com/5wXRZ6GIdF— R.L. Bynum (@r.l.bynum on Threads) (@RL_Bynum) September 20, 2021
No way you can question his heart, as he was battered and bruised all night in Blacksburg, but he’s since responded as expected with two very good outings for the Heels.
If he can continue to develop chemistry and elevate the play of his new supporting cast he’ll put his name back at the top of the 2022 draft board. He’s arguably the best all-around draft-eligible quarterback in college football.
5. Jake Haener (Fresno State)
When you think of Fresno State, what comes to mind? Probably not much, but out West among some much more talented Power 5 programs this one is usually competitive.
"What just happened?!"
Jake Haener was 39/53 throwing for 455 yards and two touchdowns in Fresno State's 40-37 win over #13 UCLA. What. A. Game.https://t.co/GqFNjy3O8b @ABC30 pic.twitter.com/WktAWJpJUr— Stephen Hicks (@StephenABC30) September 19, 2021
Jake Haener has them playing some great football, and a 31-24 loss at No. 3 Oregon is nothing to hang one’s head about.
Coming back and knocking off Chip Kelly and his steadily rising Bruins of UCLA on Saturday, showed us all we needed to see from Haener, who lacks prototypical size but makes up for it in his ability to throw and attack all areas of the field with accuracy.
He’s also athletic enough to extend plays with his feet. A rise up the 2022 draft boards shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Honorable Mention:
Desmond Ridder – Cincinnati
Spencer Rattler – Oklahoma
Carson Strong – Nevada
Grayson McCall – Coastal Carolina
Taulia Tagovailoa – UMD