B/R's 2022 Heisman Trophy Rankings: Top 10 in Week 12

We know the candidates for the 2022 Heisman Trophy. The next three weekends, however, will truly determine the order.

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is still the favorite, and Tennessee signal-caller Hendon Hooker is close behind. But the trailing group of Michigan running back Blake Corum and USC quarterback Caleb Williams has swapped its third member—at least for now.

Team success has historically played a significant role in voting, and Oregon just dropped its second game of the year. Fair or not, that decreases Bo Nix's chances of attracting a bunch of votes.

Considering how well Nix has played this season, that perception may revert if other programs lose. But as the season approaches Week 12, breakout freshman Drake Maye is leading a one-loss North Carolina team already headed to the ACC Championship Game.

The following Top 10 is ordered as if the season ended today, not a projection of the final voting.

10. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has merely been a superb quarterback in 2022. Young has thrown for 2,443 yards and 22 touchdowns with only four interceptions in 305 attempts, also rushing for 157 yards and three scores. Because the Tide have two losses, Young will not repeat. But he's likely to attract second- and third-place votes, as long as Alabama doesn't drop a third game.

9. Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia

Bennett is a fascinating case. While his total yardage output (303.9 per game) is ahead of Max Duggan (277.2), for example, the TCU quarterback's 29 total touchdowns safely exceeds Bennett's 21 scoring contributions. How will voters balance that? On the other hand, Georgia's team success could help Bennett rise past candidates like Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix and possibly Duggan and Maye.

8. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Despite a less-than-beautiful win at Arkansas, LSU wrapped up a remarkable SEC West title. The narrative gives Daniels—who's averaging 270.9 yards with 24 total touchdowns—a meaningful boost, though it's a tenuous one. LSU must defeat Georgia in the SEC Championship Game for Daniels to have a legitimate shot at snagging notable votes.

7. Max Duggan, TCU

The most important takeaway from TCU's victory at Texas is the team's improvement to 10-0. However, it was also Duggan's worst start of the season. He threw for just 124 yards, and Texas neutralized his mobility. Duggan has provided 277.2 yards per game and accounted for 29 touchdowns to only two interceptions for unblemished TCU, so he's an obvious candidate. But he'll need a splashy finish to compete for a substantial number of first-place votes.

6. Bo Nix, Oregon

There is a breaking point of team success vs. total production, and Nix is undoubtedly riding the line. However, it would be disingenuous to suggest a Pac-12 championship wouldn't be a resume-booster for Nix, and that absolutely remains in play for Oregon. The breakout QB with 328.6 yards per game and 39 total touchdowns is still a strong option for votes, even as the recent loss to Washington considerably dropped Nix's chance to win the Heisman.

5. Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Did you know Maye initially committed to Alabama? He could have been Bryce Young's replacement next season. Bama's loss has become UNC's immense gain, however. The first-year starter is literally four yards shy of a 400-yard average, totaling 39 touchdowns to three interceptions. Maye has propelled UNC to a 9-1 record and a spot in the ACC Championship Game against Clemson.

4. Caleb Williams, QB, USC

The major negative for Maye and Williams—who could be flipped, if you'd like—is the lack of a signature win. Both players had terrific stat lines opposite current Top 25 teams Notre Dame and Utah, respectively, but lost the game. Williams has that opportunity in Week 12 at rival UCLA—though Arizona's upset of UCLA last weekend dimmed the spotlight. In the meantime, he's tallied 329.3 offensive yards per game and has 37 touchdowns to two picks.

3. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

One of the nation's steadiest players, Corum has recorded between 4.6 and 5.9 yards per carry in six straight games. He's surpassed the 100-yard mark in seven consecutive outings and is Michigan's offensive catalyst. Corum holds top-three rankings in both rushing yards (1,349) and rushing touchdowns (17). If the Wolverines win the Big Ten, he could become the first Heisman back since Alabama's Derrick Henry in 2015.

2. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

Hooker is basically at the mercy of everyone else. Tennessee cannot win the SEC, but any of Nix, Maye, Williams, Corum and Stroud could play for league champions. We often see championship week become a Heisman-sealing game for the eventual winner.

Hooker has excellent stats, with 329.3 yards per game and 29 touchdowns to two picks. He excelled in key victories over Alabama and LSU. However, 11 of the last 15 Heisman winners also wore a conference crown. Hooker is a deserving candidate who—based on what we know at this particular moment, which can change—is unlikely to win.

1. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Gusty winds? Understandable issue. Snow showers in the cold? That's just Big Ten football, and a poor showing wouldn't have been as forgivable. However, the longtime favorite had no such issues, shredding Indiana for 297 yards and five touchdowns in an easy OSU victory.

Stroud has a relatively modest 283.3 yards per game, but that can partially be attributed to Ohio State's dominance and blowout scores. He's notched only 27 fourth-quarter throws compared to, for example, 51 for Williams and 69 for Maye. But Stroud ranks second in yards per attempt and is tied for the FBS lead in touchdown passes (34).