WATCH: Robert Griffin III reveals unconventional Top-5 Heisman contenders, including surprise favorite
As we get further into the college football season, the talk around the Heisman Trophy picks up steam. The conversation doesn’t yet center around one single frontrunner yet, though, as several players have made statements this season. While a lot of the players are a consensus, the order is in the eye of the beholder. When it comes to Robert Griffin III’s opinion, he has a slight surprise joining the Heisman fraternity.
In a post on Twitter, Griffin III released his Top-5 Heisman picks. While Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker is a candidate across most analyst’s boards, Griffin III took it a step further by naming the Volunteer QB as his frontrunner.
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“I’m a Hendon Hooker guy!,” said Griffin III. “461 yards of total offense and three touchdowns against Florida last week? (It’s) the best Heisman moment of the year so far and he’s got Tennessee thinking College Football Playoff.”
Hooker has been incredibly impressive within Josh Heupel’s offense to start the 2022 season. It’s not just his production, though. It’s that his production is as efficient as any player in the nation. Hooker has thrown for nearly 1,200 yards already for 8 touchdowns and no picks on a 71.7% completion rate. His performance against the Gators last weekend was a masterful, Heisman-worthy performance. He could even have his chance at a few more big moments with games against LSU, Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia left on Tennessee’s schedule.
The pair of Heisman favorites coming into the season, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud and Alabama’s Bryce Young, come in second and fifth respectively. The reigning Heisman has fallen behind for Griffin III as Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. and Minnesota RB Mohamed Ibrahim slot in at third and fourth.
“CJ Stroud is tied for No. 1 in the country with 16 touchdown passes. (Penix) is still going strong leading the country in passing yards,” Griffin III said. “Mohammad Ibrahim has 100 yards rushing in every game this year and is second in the country in rushing yards coming off a ruptured Achilles tendon. And Bryce Young had a nice bounce-back week (against Vanderbilt).”
The Heisman Trophy conversation is a fluid one during the course of the season. However, the stats and records of these five players have put them in the early discussions. There’s a lot of football left to play, but these five are all obvious front runners to at least be in attendance in New York come December 10th.