PFF names top-three Heisman leaders following Week 1
PFF released its official Heisman leaders after a wild and wacky Week 1 of the college football season.
Names like North Carolina’s Sam Howell and Clemson’s DJ Uiagaleilei were listed heading into 2021, but after seeing all of the contenders in action, PFF narrowed it to three.
There’s no denying these three belong at the top of Heisman contention after their stellar Week 1 performances. It felt like just yesterday the SEC was a league that struggled to produce top-tier signal-callers, and while Oklahoma is still a member of the Big 12 despite the recent shakeup, it’s a solid showing from the SEC.
Here are the the top three Heisman leaders according to PFF:
1.. Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma
Rattler may have been the Heisman frontrunner heading into the season and after a gritty performance where Oklahoma fans would have loved to see the entire team play better, Rattler wasn’t shaken.
PFF isn’t flinching yet, either.
Time after time Tulane made things difficult, and while it wasn’t a perfect performance, there’s something to be said about a young quarterback who can thrive in the face of unexpected adversity.
Rattler’s numbers were middle-of-the-pack, but various factors played into his discomfort at times. Still, the Oklahoma signal-caller finished with 304 passing yards and a touchdown. He averaged 7.8 yards per pass and had a gorgeous 50-yard throw as his long for the day. Yes there were two interceptions on his final stat sheet but one should have been caught and came off a deflection. Rattler also showed poise, allowing just one sack against a defense clearly looking to make a statement.
It’s early, PFF is sticking to their guns and won’t panic yet.
2. Bryce Young, Alabama
It feels like we are taking Young’s ability to hop in as a first-year starter and dominate to the level he did for granted, but PFF isn’t thinking twice.
The 19-year-old Crimson Tide passer completed 27 of 38 passes (71 percent) for 344 yards with four touchdowns and no turnovers. Two of his scoring passes went to Cameron Latu, while John Metchie and Jameson Williams caught a touchdown pass each. Young’s 94-yard strike to Williams tied the second-longest touchdown pass in Alabama football history.
This next fact feels staggering, considering the company mentioned. Another reason why PFF ranked Young so highly.
Young had a better starting Alabama debut debut than Mac Jones, Jalen Hurts, and Tua Tagovailoa.
The stats keep coming. Fifteen of his 27 completions went for first downs or touchdowns. Three of his scores came against the blitz, and he guided the Crimson Tide to 44 points, five touchdown drives, and 501 yards.
Let’s not forget Manny Diaz leads a defensive-minded program with a bevy of starters that returned, yet still, Young was nearly flawelss.
3. Matt Corral, Ole Miss
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin took his quarterback under his wing, the two have formed a special bond and it’s clearly paying off.
Corral was everything and more against Louisville on Monday night, a performance that catapulted him into the Heisman Trophy conversation when it matters. PFF certainly noticed.
As a passer, he finished 22-of-32 for 381 yards and a touchdown. The Ole Miss quarterback reminded the country of his dual-threat ability, too, tacking on 12 rushes for 55 yards and another score.
Ole Miss hasn’t had a first-round quarterback since Eli Manning went No. 1 overall in 2004.
Heisman Trophy winners don’t always blossom into great NFL players, but others thrive. Kiffin and Corral have clearly found some magic, even when the Ole Miss coach has to cheer from home.
PFF isn’t always spot on, but they are the go-to resource when it comes to breaking down talent. It will be fun to watch these three quarterbacks each week and see if anyone new emerges into the top three.