Heisman Candidate Buy or Sell After Week 1

Buy or Sell:

Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide - BUY

Week 1 Stats: 26-31, 336 Yds, 4 TDs; 15 rush yds (W v Duke 42-3)

Tagovailoa showed off his elite efficiency and arm talent again in a week 1 victory over the Blue Devils. Alabama got off to an uncharacteristic slow start to the game, but Tagovailoa looked comfortable all game long. When the passing offense got going, it looked just as dangerous as last season. With the nation’s top receiver and receiving corp in the country at his disposal, Tagovailoa is certain to be near the top of Heisman lists again at the end of this season.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson Tigers - SELL

Week 1 Stats: 13-23, 168 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT; 24 rush yds, 1 rush TD (W v Ga Tech 52-17)

Lawrence commanded the Tigers offense in a solid victory of Georgia Tech in week 1. His numbers aren’t as impressive as others on this list, but his talent speaks for itself. Put that talent on the #1 ranked team and Lawrence is definitely going nowhere in Heisman talks. I’m selling because I think Clemson will be dominating teams too much too early in games for Lawrence’s numbers to stack up with some of the other elite QBs. And I think a lot of that work will come from the legs of Travis Etienne.

Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma Sooners - BUY

Week 1 Stats: 20-23, 332 yds, 3 TDs; 176 rush yds, 3 rush TDs (W v Houston 49-31)

Sith Lord Lincoln Riley has found himself another apprentice in Jalen Hurts. Hurts exploded back onto the scene with 6 total touchdowns and over 500 yards of total offense. Perhaps the most telling moment from Hurts on the night was his postgame interview where he voiced his frustration on the offense’s performance and execution. It has to be scary for Oklahoma’s future opponents to know that his production wasn’t enough to satisfy him especially in his first game in the system. He is not a first overall pick talent like Baker or Kyler, but he certainly has a Heisman run in him with Riley running the show.

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State Buckeyes - BUY

Week 1 Stats: 18-25, 234 yds, 4 TD; 61 rush yds, 1 rush TD (W v Florida Atlantic 45-21)

Georgia transfer Justin Fields had an incredibly productive week 1 performance. He showed Buckeye fans why there was so much hype surrounding him both coming into college and coming over to Ohio State. He displayed his ability to use his legs and push the ball downfield, albeit to grossly wide open receivers. Ohio State once again will be at the top of the Big 10, and with these kinds of numbers, Fields is a shoe in to be on the list of Heisman hopefuls toward season's end.

Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon Ducks - SELL

Week 1 Stats: 28-37, 242 yds, 1 TD (L v Auburn 27-21)

This is an obviously sell for me because of the loss and how it happened. Heisman winners make Heisman plays in Heisman moments and when Herbert had a chance to win the game as the clock expired, he airmailed a pass 10 yards past the back of the end zone. He also had a costly fumble that turned into 3 points for Auburn in the second quarter at a time where the Tigers’ offense was struggling mightily. There’s no doubt Herbert can turn his season around, but missing out of the opportunity to take down a top-tier SEC team will end up haunting his Heisman chances in the end.

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin Badgers - BUY

Week 1 Stats: 16 car, 135 yds, 2 TDs; 2 rec, 48 rec yds, 2 rec TDs (W @ USF 49-0)

Taylor picked up right where he left off last season as the center of the Badgers offense and one of the most productive backs in the country. His 4 total touchdowns are tied for most in the country, and there’s no reason to think he won’t stay at or near the top of that list throughout the season. The biggest threat to his Heisman campaign is any kind of injury, major or minor, leading him to sit out the season in preparation for the draft (a concern for many on this list, but none that play like Taylor)

Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia Bulldogs - SELL

Week 1 Stats: 15-23 156 yds, 1 TD (W @ Vanderbilt 30-6)

Fromm didn’t wow anyone with his week 1 performance, but he got the Georgia offense going and ready for the season. I’m selling Fromm for Heisman for similar reasons to Lawrence. Georgia probably has the best offensive line in the country and although that’s great for Fromm, it’s going to be even better for Deandre Swift. Fromm will end up having a solid season, and most likely improving his draft stock, but he won’t put up Heisman numbers.

Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson Tigers - BUY

Week 1 Stats: 12 car, 205 yds, 3 TDs (W v Ga Tech 52-17)

Etienne looked like one of the best running backs in the country in week 1. His 205 yards and 3 touchdowns are both tied for second most in the nation, and he should dominate in first halves all season long. It’s hard to imagine Etienne being a Heisman front runner with the most talented player in college as his quarterback. Lawrence seems to be helping Etienne’s case more than hurting it, opening up running lanes all over with the threat of a big play looming at any time.

Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas Longhorns - BUY

Week 1 Stats: 28-38, 276 yds, 4 TDs; 34 rush yds (W v La Tech 45-14)

Sam Ehlinger possesses an elite ability to keep him team on the field with a proper balance of mobility and throwing accuracy. If he can lead Texas to a playoff berth, he’ll almost certainly be making the trip to New York as a finalist. Texas’ two most important games on the season, LSU and Oklahoma, will both be played in Austin. Ehlinger has a chance this week against LSU to put himself on the top of the Heisman watch.

Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish - SELL

Week 1 Stats: 14-23 193 yds, 1 TD; 81 rush yds, 1 rush TD (W @ Louisville 35-17)

Book did not have his best performance in the Fighting Irish week 1 victory at Louisville, but he still was able to throw and rush for a touchdown and seal the victory before it became a real scare. The reason for the sell of Book here is based on what this Fighting Irish offense is expected to look like going forward. Last year Book had to make a lot of big plays to lead ND to the playoff. This year he takes a step back to that rushing attack and finds himself outside of Heisman talks.

DeAndre Swift, RB, Georgia Bulldogs - BUY

Week 1 Stats: 16 car, 147 yds (W @ Vanderbilt 30-6)

DeAndre Swift has been one of the most explosive backs in the country for a couple years now, and although he is the only player of these ten without a touchdown on the season, he still should be on the short list of Heisman hopefuls. Swift will be running behind the best O-Line in the country all season long, and game scripts should be in his favor. He also should be one of Fromm’s top targets in close games as he is just as dangerous in space as he is in between the tackles.

Players Trending Up

Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama Crimson Tide

Week 1 Stats: 10 rec, 137 yds, 1 TD (W v Duke 42-3)

Jeudy came into week 1 with high expectations around him and he delivered. As the leader of that loaded receiving corp at Alabama, he continues to do things that separate him from not only his teammates but every other receiver in the country. The biggest threat to Jeudy’s Heisman campaign is his own quarterback, who not only gets the luxury of throwing to him but also Henry Ruggs III, Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith, and others.

Joe Burrow, QB, LSU Tigers

Week 1 Stats: 23-27, 278 yds, 5 TDs (W v Ga Southern 55-3)

Burrow led LSU to a mollywhopping of Georgia Southern in week 1, and played incredibly efficient while doing so. He tied an LSU record by throwing 5 TDs in the first half. LSU looked great on both sides of the ball and this team seems to rallying together behind Burrow. If he can lead LSU through a brutal schedule, you can bet he will receive Heisman buzz.

Jacob Eason, QB, Washington Huskies

Week 1 Stats: 27-36, 349 yds, 4 TDs (W v Eastern Washington 47-14)

The second Georgia QB transfer to make our list, Eason impressed in his Washington debut. He showcased everything people loved about him heading into Georgia, mainly pushing the ball downfield with efficiency. Washington has been at the top of the Pac 12 for awhile now, but they still haven’t solidified themselves as the top team. Maybe Eason puts them over the top.

Players Trending Down

Adrian Martinez, QB, Nebraska Cornhuskers

Week 1 Stats: 13-22, 178 yds, 1 INT (W v. South Alabama 35-21)

A zero touchdown effort from Martinez has his Heisman hopes trending down, but I’m sure he’ll tell you he was glad to escape with the ugly win. Martinez built up a lot of offseason buzz and deservedly so. I’m sure he is confident in his ability to bounce back after a rough opening performance, and with the Big 10 schedule ahead of him, he will have plenty of opportunities to prove that ability.

Kelly Bryant, QB, Missouri Tigers

Week 1 Stats: 31-48, 423 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT (L @ Wyoming 37-31)

Kelly Bryant didn’t have a terrible week statistically, putting up 423 passing yards which was second-highest in the country. The downward trend is clearly due to the brutal loss at Wyoming. It’s hard to remember how difficult it is to transfer to a new school and new system and have immediate success with all of these elite QBs around the country, and I think Bryant learned the hard way in week 1.

Other Names to Watch

Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington State Cougars

Week 1 Stats: 29-35, 420 yds, 5 TDs (W v New Mexico St. 58-7)

Some monster numbers out of Gordon in week 1 earns him a spot on our watchlist for the season. In a weak Pac 12, he may have to lead this Cougars team to an undefeated finish to build up a Heisman-worthy narrative, but he certainly can put up the stats for it.

Tony Jones Jr., RB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Week 1 Stats: 15 car, 110 yds, 1 TD (W @ Louisville 35-17)

Tony Jones Jr. ran incredibly hard behind some massive holes created by that Notre Dame O-Line. He seems poised to be next in the line of powerful, efficient backs out of South Bend. If Notre Dame can make another playoff run this year, Jones Jr. may find himself in Heisman consideration.

Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue Boilermakers

Week 1 Stats: 11 rec, 124 yds, 1 TD (L @ Nevada 34-31)

Purdue’s week 1 loss to Nevada definitely does not help Moore’s Heisman case, but going into the season people still had him on their watch lists knowing Purdue was a lower-level team. Purdue is going to have to make noise against some upper echelon Big 10 teams this year for Moore to have a chance, but his week 1 stats are a solid foundation to build off of.

Chubba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Week 1 Stats: 26 car, 221 yds, 3 TD (W @ Oregon State 52-36)

Chubba Hubba Choo Choo! All aboard the Chubba Hubbard bandwagon. Not only does he have the best name on this column, but he may have had the most electric week 1 performance. He’s the nation’s rushing leader after week 1, and his Cowboys should be in plenty more shootouts this season.

AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College Eagles

Week 1 Stats: 23 car, 81 yds, 1 TD; 9 rec yds (W v Va Tech 35-28)

Dillon didn’t have his best week statistically, but he is still one of the most talented backs in the country and is a candidate to break out for multiple touchdowns any week. He is the anchor of this Eagles team which has to be thrilled after a big week 1 win over Virginia Tech. Boston College has a chance to be 7-0 when they meet Clemson in week 9.

Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona State Sun Devils

Week 1 Stats: 22 car, 102 yds; 3 rec, 32 rec yds, 1 rec TD (W v Kent State 30-7)

Benjamin is another running back on the watchlist because he is a premier talent in the country. He will be the workhorse for Herm Edward’s Sun Devils this season and has a chance to lead the country in yards from scrimmage if he stays healthy.