B/R's 2022 Heisman Trophy Rankings: Who's the Favorite in Week 10?

Throughout the 2022 season, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud has remained near the front of the Heisman Trophy race. But as November arrives, is he still leading the pack?

If it's not Stroud, however, there's no question it's Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker.

Several other players are in the running, but Stroud and Hooker alone are jockeying for the current lead.

The rankings are subjective but based on historical voting trends. Those factors include both objective (individual stats and team record) and unquantifiable measures (player perception and key moments).

DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson: His season of redemption took a step back in the tight win over Syracuse. Uiagalelei has a shot to revive his fading candidacy with a big performance at Notre Dame this weekend.

Deuce Vaughn, RB, Kansas State: Back on the board! Vaughn has produced 1,032 scrimmage yards for 6-2 Kansas State. If the Wildcats keep winning, he could land a few votes. Otherwise, the talented back will probably fade from the radar again.

Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU: The make-or-break moment for Daniels is here. After totaling 11 scores in the past two games, Daniels is set to lead LSU into a home showdown with rival Alabama. Win there, and Daniels will become a Heisman factor as LSU takes control of the SEC West.

Cameron Rising, QB, Utah: Rising didn't play in Utah's victory over Washington State because of an unspecified injury. He's still around in case the Utes win the Pac-12, but that absence tethered with Utah's two previous losses will limit his voting appeal.

More to Know: Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall, Mississippi State QB Will Rogers, Ohio State WRs Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr., Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel, Texas RB Bijan Robinson, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia: Two interceptions in the victory over Florida didn't help Bennett's dicey resume. Still, he ranks 14th nationally at 293.6 passing yards per game and 19th with 8.8 yards per attempt. The small number of total touchdowns (14) stings Bennett relative to top contenders, but he's a big part of Georgia's immense team success.

Chase Brown, RB, Illinois: Similarly, touchdowns are a sticking point for Brown, who's managed eight trips to the end zone. But he leads the FBS in rushing yards (1,208) and has become more of a receiving threat in recent weeks, bolstering his season total to 18 catches. Illinois' surprising team success has Brown in the mix.

Spencer Sanders, QB, Oklahoma State: In all likelihood, Sanders won't be in consideration much longer. It'll be tough to ignore a 48-point shutout loss to Kansas State of OSU drops a third game. However, if the Pokes win all four remaining games, they'll be 10-2 with a possible shot at the Big 12 title. Sanders is 13th in the country with 315.0 total offensive yards per game, and he's accounted for 23 touchdowns.

Jalin Hyatt, WR, Tennessee: As with Ohio State's pair of standout wide receivers, Hyatt is guaranteed to not win the Heisman. If anyone does from Tennessee, it'll be his quarterback. But an FBS-leading 14 touchdown receptions—four more than anyone else—is a strong reason for Hyatt to receive scattered votes.

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Alabama: After an idle weekend, Gibbs has dipped to 10th nationally in all-purpose yards with 1,137. Although he played a key role in Alabama's comeback win at Texas, Gibbs could use another so-called "Heisman moment" this weekend at LSU for a jolt to his candidacy.

Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina: The first-year starter is tied with Stroud for the most passing touchdowns (29) in the FBS. Maye also ranks fourth in passing yards (2,671) and fifth in yards per attempt (9.7). He lacks a signature moment or a win against top competition, but those opportunities may arrive soon. North Carolina is 7-1 with two Top 25 teams—Wake Forest and North Carolina State—left on the schedule. Plus, the Tar Heels could meet Clemson in the ACC Championship Game.

Max Duggan, QB, TCU: The breakout QB helped TCU avoid a letdown at West Virginia, throwing for 341 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in a 41-31 triumph. He ranks 14th nationally at 311.0 offensive yards per game and has accounted for 26 scores.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA: After a loss at Oregon, the Bruins bounced back nicely in a comfortable win over Stanford. DTR totaled 249 yards and rushed for a touchdown, bumping UCLA to 7-1 in a congested race toward the Pac-12 Championship Game.

6. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: Players should not drop a tier because of an idle weekend, especially when upcoming games are so impactful. But it's clear Young's candidacy is desperate for a huge performance in victories over LSU and Ole Miss. Otherwise, the reigning Heisman winner will be exiting the leading group.

5. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: The bad news is Nix threw two picks against Cal. The good news is he shredded the Golden Bears for 412 yards through the air, 59 on the ground and six total touchdowns. Nix should have another gaudy line against Colorado's awful defense this weekend.

4. Blake Corum, RB, Michigan: Make it five straight 124-yard outputs for Corum, who dashed for 177 yards and a touchdown in the win over Michigan State. He also caught a two-yard score. Corum is fourth nationally in rushing yards (1,078) and second in total touchdowns (15).

3. Caleb Williams, QB, USC: Williams has thrown for 2,382 yards and 24 touchdowns to one interception, adding 249 yards and three scores as a runner. He's basically Maye with a better publicist. Voters love a big-name quarterback, though. The season-ending back-to-back with UCLA and Notre Dame—which beat Maye and UNC—will be critical games for Williams to catch Stroud and Hooker.

2. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee: Look, if you have Hooker atop the rankings, that's totally defensible. The quality of his production while playing a tough schedule is stellar. He's passed for 2,338 yards at 10.7 per attempt with 21 touchdowns to one interception, adding 338 rushing yards and four scores. Tennessee has five victories over then-Top 25 teams, although the number of currently ranked teams in that group is now two. Debates are fine, but the tone is certain to change—maybe positively, maybe less so—after UT travels to top-ranked Georgia this weekend.

1. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State: At this point, Stroud's standing feels more at the mercy of Hooker's upside than anything. Stroud—who, again, is the FBS leader with 29 touchdown passes—just threw for 354 yards and a score in a victory at Penn State, yet it'd be fair to drop him behind Hooker. Rather than create drama for the sake of it, Stroud stays at No. 1. But if UT wins at Georgia, Stroud will probably be the clear No. 2.