With DeVonta Smith winning the 2020 Heisman Trophy our attention has quickly turned to 2021. The Vegas odds have been released but I take a further dive into who the 2021 Heisman could go to. And list more than just quarterbacks. Let’s start with the notable players left off the Heisman odds. All these players will most likely enter the NFL Draft.
Notably Gone:
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
It’s no secret that the Heisman usually goes to the quarterback position. In fact, since the year 2000 only three non-quarterbacks have won the award. DeVonta Smith (2020), Derrick Henry (2015), Mark Ingram (2009). So apparently you have to play at Alabama to win the award if you’re not a quarterback. The top Vegas favorites are all quarterbacks and that seems like a safe bet.
Vegas Favorites:
Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma (+300)
D.J. Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson (+400)
Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina (+600)
D’Eriq King, QB, Miami (+750)
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (+1000)
Kedon Slovis, QB, USC (+1200)
I don’t disagree with the Vegas faves but I do think there are some guys going under the radar that deserve a look or at least a mention. These quarterbacks put up big numbers in 2020 and could take a big leap forward in 2021. I would also put CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State here. He didn’t play much but he is going to take over for Justin Fields and should have a huge year in 2021.
Under the Radar
Jayden Daniels, QB, Arizona State
Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Spencer Sanders, QB, Oklahoma State
Bo Nix, QB, Auburn
JT Daniels, QB, Georgia
Graham Mertz, QB, Wisconsin
Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
It may be a long shot but with DeVonta Smith winning the award this season maybe we could see a running back win the award again. The running back position is loaded with talent, and they’re on top teams, so I would feel good about laying a bet down on one of these guys. Trey Sanders or Jase McClellan will get the bulk of the carries next year at Alabama and I would keep an eye on who wins that starting job.
Running backs:
Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
Tank Bigsby, RB, Auburn
Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas
Zamir White, RB, Georgia
Could we have another receiver win the award in 2021? Not likely. DeVonta Smith is the first receiver to win the award since Demond Howard in 1991, but if any receiver is going to win the Heisman I would bet on one of these guys doing it:
Receivers:
John Metchie, WR, Alabama
George Pickens, WR, Georgia
Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
Marvin Mims, WR, Oklahoma
Look, I would love to see it happen, it’s just not going to. Maybe we should bring back #DefenseForHeisman for some of these longshot defensive stars? Kayvon Thibodeaux has the name recognition and could get the sacks to be a finalist. Derrick Stingley could see time at receiver and corner but other than those two it would be damn near impossible for a defensive player to win the award. I hope in my lifetime I see another defensive player win the award (Charles Woodson, 1997) but I wouldn’t bet on it.
No Chance Defenders:
Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
Derrick Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Eli Ricks, CB, LSU
The 2021 Top Five:
Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma (+300)
D.J. Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson (+400)
Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina (+600)
Bryce Young, QB, Alabama (+1000)
Kedon Slovis, QB, USC (+1200)
My top five Heisman favorites for 2021 are all quarterbacks and even though it pains me to say so I think it will be an Oklahoma guy. Spencer Rattler spent 2020 getting comfortable as a starter and I believe 2021 will be a special season, and hopefully his last, for the Sooners.
Trevor Lawrence may be leaving but the quarterback position is just fine in Death Valley. D.J. Uiagalelei is a massive quarterback that can beat you with his arm or legs and has already proven he can play well in big games against good teams. Uiagalelei is the closest thing we’ve seen to Cam Newton and he might just win the Heisman as well.
The North Carolina offense was electric this season and while much of that was because of the running backs, Sam Howell is still an amazing quarterback. Everytime I see Howell play I see Baker Mayfield and Howell, like Mayfield, may walk away with a Heisman trophy before his time on campus is through.
Alabama has produced three Heisman winners under Nick Saban but surprisingly none have been quarterbacks. There is a good chance that could change in 2021. Even though I’m not convinced Mac Jones will declare for the draft, an Alabama quarterback could win the award in 2021 with either Jones or Bryce Young. Young will be entering his sophomore season for the Crimson Tide and will most likely be the starter if Jones does decide to declare and the kid is uber talented. The number one rated quarterback in the 2020 recruiting class will have multiple weapons and good protection at Alabama and all the chances for a big Heisman moment.
We didn’t get to see much of USC this season and by the time their season started most people were already checked out on the Pac 12. But USC will have a very exciting offense entering 2021, led by quarterback Kedon Slovis. Slovis will have every opportunity to win the award in the throw heavy USC offense and will also have plenty of targets at receiver.
