On3 Week 10 Heisman Trophy Top-10 Poll
The 2023 Heisman Trophy race has been changing on a seemingly weekly basis, with one candidate surging to the front only to be replaced by another a week later. It’s made for a fun follow.
Our experts here at On3 know a thing or two about voting for college football’s top award, so we’ve assembled them once again to get a complete picture on where the race stands. We asked each expert to rank their top 10 players in the country, then assigned point values to each position, with 10 points awarded for a first-place vote and one awarded for a 10th-place vote, etc.
Here’s how the Heisman Trophy race stacks up in the eyes of our experts, using the grading rubric provided above.
1. QB Jayden Daniels, LSU (50 points)
Despite his team having two losses Daniels finds himself right at the forefront of the Heisman Trophy race. He’s simply been that good, not only carrying the LSU offense but often the entire team to boot. He’s been arguably the nation’s best dual-threat quarterback all year.
Through eight games, Daniels has thrown for 2,573 yards, with 25 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He’s also run for 521 yards and five scores, able to get it done both ways. This week’s game against Alabama will be huge for his Heisman Trophy bid.
2. WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State (43)
It says a lot about Harrison that he’s able to rank this high despite playing a position that doesn’t typically garner much Heisman Trophy interest. But Harrison merits all of it. He’s been virtually unstoppable in recent weeks.
Harrison has topped the 100-yard mark and had a receiving touchdown in all but two games this season. He’s been remarkably consistent in racking up 48 catches for 889 yards and eight touchdowns.
3. QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington (39)
Penix has essentially had two off games all season, but his Heisman Trophy chances have seemingly dimmed a bit in recent weeks as he struggles with interceptions to a certain extent. He’s thrown four picks in the last three weeks.
But Penix has the advantage that Washington is unbeaten still, which means any big performance he puts up is going to be magnified. And having thrown for 2,945 yards and 24 touchdowns already, it’s not like Penix’s campaign needs a huge lift. Just a little something to edge him back toward the top.
4. QB Bo Nix, Oregon (33)
Nix’s campaign took a little bit of a hit with a loss to Washington, but the veteran quarterback played pretty well in that game. And he’s been excellent the rest of the year. He has thrown only one interception against 21 touchdowns and 2,337 yards passing.
The most interesting thing about Nix’s numbers this year is that he hasn’t really used his much legs at all compared to a year ago, when he scored 14 times on the ground. So he’s shown his versatility as a passer more this season than last.
5. QB JJ McCarthy, Michigan (30)
As Michigan goes so goes McCarthy. He’s done everything he’s been asked in terms of leading the Wolverines offense without making many mistakes. He hasn’t necessarily thrown for as much yardage as others on this list, but his 18 touchdowns against three interceptions are very nice.
McCarthy will certainly get the stage to show he can be a viable Heisman Trophy option coming up, with a road trip to Penn State and a home date with Ohio State dotting the back half of the schedule. McCarthy will need to be on point in both games.
6. QB Caleb Williams, USC (13)
The USC quarterback’s campaign seemed bound to take a hit if the defense couldn’t step up and here we are. Williams has still been quite good, but his campaign lost some luster with back-to-back losses. The funny thing is, as bad as USC’s defense is it has forced Williams to put up huge numbers.
And he’s mostly done just that. On the season Williams has thrown for 2,646 yards and 25 touchdowns, against just four interceptions. He has also run for 130 yards and nine touchdowns, proving an effective threat on the ground when he needs to be.
T-7. WR Luther Burden, Missouri (12)
Burden is coming off his two quietest weeks of the season and still ranks fifth nationally in receiving. He’s been elite in every sense of the word, virtually uncoverable by anyone he’s gone against this year. The numbers are also really, really good. Like Heisman Trophy consideration good.
Burden has accounted for 61 catches for 905 yards and six touchdowns. And while that production is outstanding, the Tigers are still trying to get him the ball more, even giving him four touches out of the backfield the last three games.
T-7. RB Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State (12)
The sophomore running back out of Oklahoma State slowly emerged as the bellcow back for the Cowboys and he’s making it count. He has averaged 276.5 yards and three touchdowns rushing in the last two weeks, going absolutely buck wild as his touches have skyrocketed.
On the season, Gordon has already topped the 1,000-yard mark, checking in with 1,087 yards on 141 carries. He’s averaging 7.7 yards per carry and has scored 10 times. He’s also a good pass-catcher, hauling in 21 passes for 201 yards and a score.
9. QB Jordan Travis, Florida State (11)
Travis’ shine has come off a little bit, but really based on no fault of his own. He hasn’t had many stages to show off lately. When he has had that opportunity he’s been elite, particularly in games against LSU and Clemson.
Through eight games so far, Travis has his team unbeaten and a favorite to reach the College Football Playoff. He’s also got 2,109 yards passing with 18 touchdowns against just two interceptions. And he has run for 205 yards and six scores on the ground.
10. QB Carson Beck, Georgia (8)
There were questions about how Beck would manage the transition following the departure of Stetson Bennett IV, but he has passed every test with flying colors. He’s been outstanding as a passer, but more importantly he has learned to manage Georgia’s offense and always keep the team steady.
Beck’s numbers are pretty good, though. He has thrown for 2,462 yards and 14 touchdowns, against four interceptions. He’s also run for three more scores. Most importantly, Georgia remains unbeaten and chugging along.
Honorable Mention
EDGE Dallas Turner, Alabama (6)
LB Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M (4)
EDGE Jalen Green, James Madison (4)
LB Jay Higgins, Iowa (2)
WR Malik Nabers, LSU (2)
WR Rome Odunze, Washington (1)
There are some absolute studs in the honorable mention list, from Penix’s top target to one of the nation’s best pass-rushers in Green. Green has logged an incredible 21 tackles for a loss and 15.5 sacks already in 2023. Then you throw in Nabers, the nation’s leading receiver. Bottom line: There are some truly elite players vying for this year’s Heisman Trophy.