B/R's 2022 Heisman Trophy Rankings: New Arrivals in Week 6

After 10 ranked teams lost over the weekend, the 2022 Heisman Trophy race underwent a bit of a shakeup.

Heading into Week 6, the prime contenders remain the same. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is the early front-runner, while USC signal-caller Caleb Williams is close behind. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young remains a favorite as well, provided his injury doesn't force him to miss much time.

But the chasing group is constantly shifting.

On the positive side, a few new names have joined the field. TCU quarterback Max Duggan has soared onto the radar, while Ohio State running back Miyan Williams flipped spots with a teammate.

However, the dreaded third loss popped up for a few players, and poor performances dinged the candidacy of several September stars. Injuries have complicated a few resumes, too.

Change on the fringes will be a familiar part of the Heisman race through October. Soon enough, time will be running out to catch Stroud and the leaders.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan: We're probably on the brink of McCarthy's stats not atoning for acceptable nuance. The sophomore became the starter in Week 2, has played efficiently and looks like the right choice for Michigan as a team. However, totaling 912 yards and seven touchdowns in five games isn't exactly a Heisman-esque line.

Mohamed Ibrahim, RB, Minnesota: Not only did Minnesota lose to Purdue, but Ibrahim didn't play because of an ankle injury. Despite his excellent numbers, Ibrahim will only be a factor in the Heisman race if Minnesota is a nine- or 10-win team. That setback combined with no production is a step back.

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oklahoma: Although the Sooners lost again, the main concern is Gabriel's health. He absorbed a helmet-to-helmet hit that resulted in a concussion and sidelined him for much of OU's loss to TCU. We'll worry about Gabriel's merits in the Heisman race whenever he's cleared to play.

Sean Clifford, QB, Penn State: Blame the conditions if you'd like, but Clifford had a disappointing day in PSU's ugly win against Northwestern. He finished 10-of-20 for 140 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Penn State is idle in Week 6 but meets both Michigan and Ohio State later in October. We'll know plenty about Clifford's Heisman hopes soon.

Max Duggan, QB, TCU: Since replacing an injured Chandler Morris in the opener at Colorado, Duggan has thrived. He's thrown for 970 yards and 11 touchdowns with zero picks in victories over Tarleton State, SMU and Oklahoma. Duggan also ran for 116 yards and two scores against OU.

More to Know: Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall, Illinois RB Chase Brown, Kansas State QB Adrian Martinez, Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka, Purdue WR Charlie Jones, Texas RB Bijan Robinson, Texas A&M RB Devon Achane, UCLA QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson

Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas: What a story. Daniels has propelled the Jayhawks to an incredible 5-0 start, bolting into the Heisman race along the way. He totaled a modest 102 yards and one score in the Week 5 win against Iowa State but has tallied 1,312 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season.

Will Rogers, QB, Mississippi State: Rogers has lurked in the background of the Heisman conversation all season. After a subpar day in a Week 3 loss to LSU, he needed a redemptive moment. Long story short: He got it. Rogers threw for 329 yards and three touchdowns in the triumph over Texas A&M on Saturday.

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina: The numbers keep coming for Maye, who shredded Virginia Tech with 436 yards of offense while accounting for five total touchdowns. Beating tough competition is vital—UNC recently lost to Notre Dame—but Maye has totaled 1,849 yards and 22 scores so far.

Miyan Williams, RB, Ohio State: To this point, fellow back TreVeyon Henderson has landed the most attention. But Williams' production is undeniable after he racked up 189 yards and five touchdowns against Rutgers. Williams now has 497 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground compared to 318 and three, respectively, for Henderson.

Spencer Sanders, QB, Oklahoma State: Sanders hushed the understandable noise around his history with Baylor. He threw for 181 yards with one score and one pick and added 75 yards and a touchdown on the ground while guiding Oklahoma State to a key conference win.

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: Nix overcame a modest passing day (5.6 yards per attempt) in the victory over Stanford with 141 yards and two touchdowns as a runner. Circle the Oct. 22 matchup with UCLA as a key inflection point for Nix's Heisman chances.

More to Know: Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei, Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman

Will Anderson Jr., Edge, Alabama: Anderson registered seven tackles with 1.5 for loss and a half-sack at Arkansas. The upcoming stretch of Texas A&M, Tennessee, Mississippi State, LSU and Ole Miss presents a big opportunity for Anderson to build his Heisman buzz.

Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia: Bennett's case skyrocketed behind a sizzling three-game run. While he's since thrown for 584 yards in two games, Bennett totaled only one touchdown in a shaky win against Kent State and comeback at Missouri. He merits a nod for hitting some key completions in that fourth-quarter surge, though.

Blake Corum, RB, Michigan: Corum has become the featured player of Michigan's offense. He's handled a combined 59 carries in two conference games, amassing 376 yards and three touchdowns to raise his season totals to 611 yards and an FBS-leading 10 scores.

Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee: After an idle weekend, Hooker and the Vols travel to LSU and begin a brutal five-game run that also includes Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia. October (and Nov. 5) will determine if both UT and Hooker are legitimate contenders.

Cameron Rising, QB, Utah: Quietly doing his thing, really. Rising accounted for 272 yards and four touchdowns in a rout of Oregon State, jumping to 1,342 total yards and 14 scores this season. Utah takes on current unbeaten teams UCLA and USC over the next two weekends.

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington: One loss with two interceptions should not be crushing to a Heisman resume, particularly not when 345 passing yards and four touchdowns accompany the disappointing result. Penix has plenty to prove, but his 1,733 passing yards and 16 touchdowns to three interceptions outweigh one setback at UCLA.

3. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: Young exited the win at Arkansas with a shoulder injury. If he doesn't miss further time, his Heisman candidacy will be fine. He's tallied 1,356 offensive yards with 17 touchdowns to three interceptions, and the Crimson Tide are 5-0. But if he's sidelined at all, his chances of a repeat Heisman will lessen.

2. Caleb Williams, QB, USC: Williams bounced back from an escape at Oregon State and demolished Arizona State. Along with running for 44 yards and a score, he tallied 348 yards and three touchdowns with one pick. To date, Williams has tallied 1,546 yards and 15 scores.

1. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State: After a September full of tremendous games, Stroud faced a moderate struggle in Week 5. He threw for only 154 yards with two touchdowns and an interception against Rutgers. While his perceived lead for the Heisman didn't grow, he still has a clear edge over the field. Stroud has thrown for 1,376 yards and 18 scores.