More surprises and player movement again were the trends among this week’s Heisman leaderboard. Spencer Rattler and Sam Howell were both preseason favorites but can they get back into the race? In addition, how does the committee view some of our top contenders now that they are getting into the conference season? Before that, let’s take a look at some of the contenders in our 2021 week three Heisman rankings.
Kenneth Walker III is possibly the biggest surprise of the season from a team that has been equally as surprising. Meanwhile, a couple of SEC quarterbacks have a week to get ready for the most significant Heisman matchup of the season next weekend. Let’s take a look as we unveil our 2021 week three Heisman rankings.
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Note: Ties were broken alphabetically by player’s last name
Top Five Candidates
1. Bryce Young
QB | Alabama Next Game: 9/25 vs Southern Mississippi
Alabama came down to earth on Saturday with a narrow victory over upset-minded Florida. Even though he only threw for 240 yards, Young still tallied three touchdown passes on the day. Young and the Tide return home to face Southern Mississippi before a huge game against Ole Miss in Tuscaloosa to begin the second month of the season.
| 2021 SEASON |
| PASSING |
| YDS |
TD |
INT |
CMP% |
RATING |
| 811 |
10 |
0 |
68.0 |
169.1 |
|
|
| RUSHING |
| YDS |
TD |
YPC |
| -4 |
– |
-0.5 |
|
2. Matt Corral
QB | Ole Miss Next Game: 10/2 at Alabama
The Ole Miss gunslinger is having a tremendous start to the season. Aside from individually throwing for six touchdowns and no interceptions, the Rebels are averaging 53 points per game and have vaulted up to #13 in the country. The Rebels will enjoy a week off before they head to Alabama on October 2nd.
| 2021 SEASON |
| PASSING |
| YDS |
TD |
INT |
CMP% |
RATING |
| 662 |
6 |
0 |
66.2 |
182.2 |
|
|
| RUSHING |
| YDS |
TD |
YPC |
| 90 |
1 |
4.5 |
|
3. Kenneth Walker III
RB | Michigan State Next Game: 9/25 vs Nebraska
Walker and Michigan State are possibly the biggest surprise of the season in this 2021 season. The Wake Forest transfer has an incredible near nine yards per carry thus far in the season. After the 21 point road win over Miami, the Spartans return home to face Nebraska on Saturday. Walker will have an opportunity to get more publicity now with Michigan State being a top 25 team.
| 2021 SEASON |
| RUSHING |
| ATT |
YARDS |
AVG |
TD |
G |
| 57 |
493 |
8.6 |
5 |
3 |
|
|
| RECEIVING |
| YARDS |
AVG |
TD |
| 17 |
5.7 |
1 |
|
4. Sam Howell
QB | North Carolina Next Game: 9/25 at Georgia Tech
Howell and North Carolina won a shootout over Virginia over the weekend, 59-39. He had his best game of the season in throwing for over 300 yards with five touchdown passes. Now, the Tar Heels go on the road to face a Georgia Tech team that completely stifled Clemson this past weekend. However, Howell seems to be on an upward trajectory right now.
| 2021 SEASON |
| PASSING |
| YDS |
TD |
INT |
CMP% |
RATING |
| 867 |
9 |
4 |
63.4 |
178.7 |
|
|
| RUSHING |
| YDS |
TD |
YPC |
| 251 |
2 |
6.4 |
|
5. Spencer Rattler
QB | Oklahoma Next Game: 9/25 vs West Virginia
It’s been a struggle for the preseason Heisman candidate and the Sooner offense. Oklahoma only scored 23 points against Nebraska and further than that the chunk plays have been few and far between for the first three games. But, the Sooners are now in conference play with West Virginia coming to Norman. No better time like the present to get the offense kickstarted for Rattler.
| 2021 SEASON |
| PASSING |
| YDS |
TD |
INT |
CMP% |
RATING |
| 761 |
7 |
2 |
74.7 |
158.6 |
|
|
| RUSHING |
| YDS |
TD |
YPC |
| 71 |
2 |
3.9 |
|
