Top 10 Heisman Trophy finishers revealed ahead of ceremony
The four finalists for the Heisman Trophy came out earlier this week, but we now know the rest of the Top 10. ESPN announced the players who finished outside the top four Friday night.
The announcement came less than 24 hours before the Heisman Trophy ceremony in New York. Four players — Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Michael Penix Jr. and Marvin Harrison Jr. — will all be in attendance as one of them brings home college football’s most prestigious award.
As for who else was in the mix for the Heisman, ESPN announced who finished Nos. 5-10 of the voting.
5. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State
Prior to his season-ending injury, Jordan Travis was playing at a high level to keep Florida State in the College Football Playoff conversation. Through 10 games, he threw for 2,756 yards and 20 touchdowns to stay in the mix for the Heisman Trophy.
Travis’ injury had a major impact on FSU’s absence from the CFP, as the committee said after the reveal. Ultimately, though, he wound up just outside the top four finalists to miss out on a trip to the ceremony.
6. Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
This year didn’t get off to a great start for Jalen Milroe, who wound up on the sidelines for Alabama’s third game of the year. Since then, though, the Crimson Tide have been rolling and ended up returning to the College Football Playoff after missing out last year.
Milroe is a true dual-threat — throwing for 2,718 yards, rushing for 468 and totaling 35 touchdowns — and presented an interesting case for the Heisman. His play has been critical as Alabama tried to get back to the CFP, and he’ll be on the big stage in the Rose Bowl against Michigan.
7. Ollie Gordon II, RB, Oklahoma State
As Oklahoma State rallied back from a bumpy start to the season, Ollie Gordon was a breakout star as the Cowboys rattled off a run to the Big 12 Championship. He became the first Oklahoma State running back to ever win the Doak Walker Award Friday night, and he found himself in the top 10 of the Heisman Trophy voting, as well.
Gordon led the nation with 1,614 rushing yards and finished second with 20 rushing touchdowns this year. He joined the great Barry Sanders as the only Oklahoma State running backs to rush for 270 or more yards in back-to-back games.
8. Cody Schrader, RB, Missouri
One of the great stories in college football this year, former walk-on Cody Schrader was the engine that drove the Missouri offense. He and Brady Cook helped propel the Tigers to a 10-win season, and it’s safe to say he caught the attention of Heisman Trophy voters.
Schrader averaged a nation-leading 124.9 rushing yards per game this year and found the end zone 13 times. The former Truman State star won the Burlsworth Trophy, as well, as part of his fantastic season.
9. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan
Blake Corum easily could’ve declared for the NFL Draft a year ago, even despite suffering a season-ending injury late in the year. But he had unfinished business at Michigan, and he garnered some Heisman Trophy hype as he finished in the top 10.
Corum had another huge year for Michigan, leading the FBS with 24 touchdowns — which also set the Wolverines’ single-season program record — and 1,028 yards. He’ll try to keep things going into the Rose Bowl against Alabama.
10. J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
Early in the year, it looked like J.J. McCarthy could find himself in New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony. However, that chatter tapered off, but he still rounded out the top 10 of voting.
McCarthy threw for 2,630 yards and 19 touchdowns through the regular season and Big Ten Championship. His ability to extend plays with his legs is also important heading into the Rose Bowl.
Now that the rest of the top 10 is out, the only question is who will win the Heisman Trophy. We’ll get our answer Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET when the winner is announced.