Championship November is here which means every game intensifies. The same could be said for the Heisman Trophy race as well. For the third time in as many weeks, we have a new top five. But, will we have a new leader? Before we get into the top half, let’s take a look at all of the contenders in our 2021 week nine Heisman rankings.
Kenneth Walker III had the biggest Heisman moments of anyone so far this year. However, will it be enough to take him from third to first? The quarterback play in the ACC is outstanding and we have two players from that conference represented. However, ironically enough, they are not produced from Clemson and North Carolina. With so little time to make a statement, who will step up and provide that Heisman moment? With that being said, let’s take a look as we unveil our 2021 week nine Heisman rankings.
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Note: Ties were broken alphabetically by player’s last name
Top Five Candidates
1. Kenneth Walker III
RB | Michigan State Next Game: 11/6 at Purdue
Walker had a huge stage and he made the absolute most of it to vault into the top spot. His 197-yard and five touchdown performance carried the Spartans to an upset win over the Wolverines. Now, Walker and the Spartans have to guard against a huge trap game at Purdue before facing Ohio State in two weeks.
2021 SEASON |
RUSHING |
ATT |
YARDS |
AVG |
TD |
G |
175 |
1,194 |
6.8 |
14 |
8 |
|
|
RECEIVING |
YARDS |
AVG |
TD |
36 |
4.5 |
1 |
|
2. Bryce Young
QB | Alabama Next Game: 11/6 vs LSU
Despite not playing last week, Young holds steady at number two this week. With LSU and New Mexico State in the next two weeks, Young has an opportunity to improve on an already impressive stat line. Just as style points are important for the rankings committee, it will also be critical in this tight Heisman race as well.
2021 SEASON |
PASSING |
YDS |
TD |
INT |
CMP% |
RATING |
2,453 |
26 |
3 |
70.0 |
177.1 |
|
|
RUSHING |
YDS |
TD |
YPC |
40 |
2 |
1.1 |
|
3. Matt Corral
QB | Ole Miss Next Game: 11/6 vs Liberty
Corral goes from first to third as he was held out of the end zone through the air against the Auburn defense. He did manage to find paydirt on the ground and did have over 300 yards of total defense. However, the loss and lack of production have brought him down a little. He remains firmly in the race and could put up some big numbers against Liberty on Saturday.
2021 SEASON |
PASSING |
YDS |
TD |
INT |
CMP% |
RATING |
2,202 |
15 |
2 |
66.0 |
160.4 |
|
|
RUSHING |
YDS |
TD |
YPC |
519 |
10 |
4.7 |
|
4. Kenny Pickett
QB | Pittsburgh Next Game: 11/6 at Duke
On a positive note, Pickett threw for over 500 yards and three more touchdowns through the air. However, he did throw two interceptions and the Panthers lost at home to unranked Miami. However, there’s nothing lost for Pickett as he remains at the fourth spot in our rankings. The Panthers travel to Duke which is the worst team in the ACC so Pickett should put up huge numbers again.
2021 SEASON |
PASSING |
YDS |
TD |
INT |
CMP% |
RATING |
2,755 |
26 |
3 |
68.9 |
173.3 |
|
|
RUSHING |
YDS |
TD |
YPC |
185 |
3 |
2.9 |
|
5. Sam Hartman
QB | Wake Forest Next Game: 11/6 at North Carolina
Hartman joins his ACC brethren as the newest member of our top five. Led by Hartman, Wake Forest has become one of the best offenses in the country in surpassing 35 points in every game this season. The Demon Deacons have their toughest test of the season traveling to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina on Saturday. However, points should still come in bunches against a struggling defense.
2021 SEASON |
PASSING |
YDS |
TD |
INT |
CMP% |
RATING |
2,475 |
22 |
3 |
65.2 |
175.0 |
|
|
RUSHING |
YDS |
TD |
YPC |
207 |
6 |
4.1 |
|