Heisman Trophy 2023 Early Watch
Caleb Williams won the 2022 Heisman Trophy at the awards banquet at the Downtown Athletic Club in Manhattan.
For those who bet on college football, it's not too early to ask who are some of the early contenders for the 2023 trophy.
Here at Gambling.com, we take an early peek at some of the possible candidates with a twist or two along the way.
Caleb Williams - USC Fighting Trojans - 2022 Heisman Winner
Williams is heading into his third and presumably final year of college football with one thing in mind. Williams wants to finish what he started. An injury in the Pac-12 championship game derailed his chances of playing in the college football playoff. However, that showed his value to a USC team that needed him at his best 100% of the time.
Now comes the most challenging part for the USC quarterback. Can the signal-caller win the trophy again? So many athletes have failed in this quest. Only Ohio State running back Archie Griffin won this prestigious award back-to-back and that was in the early 1970s.
Can Wiliams do what the 2021 winner, Bryce Young, could not this year? Right now, Williams is the favorite. Numbers will not be available until after the conclusion of the college football season. Expect a minus next to Williams’ odds. Projections suggest somewhere in the -100 to -200 range.
Michael Penix Jr. - Washington Huskies - Pac-12 Spoiler?
Penix was one of the more electrifying quarterbacks who gets one more “kick at the can” come the fall of 2023. The Washington signal-caller beat Oregon this year but likely will need a signature win at USC, for example, if Penix Jr. expects to be thrust higher into the pantheon of candidates.
Few players combine the overall arm strength going into 2023 like Penix. The expectation is that the Huskies will be better prepared to surround the candidate with talent. The Pac-12 will be quite an adventure as the candidates battle almost weekly.
Penix is our second choice at around +500 or so.
Drake Maye - ???? - North Carolina Tarheels Last Year
Alas, Maye burst onto the scene in North Carolina. All he did was throw for over 4,000 yards. Though Maye faltered late in the season and the ACC Conference Championship, there is little doubt about what the quarterback brings to the table.
With Phil Longo going off to Wisconsin as their offensive coordinator, it will be interesting to see if Maye jumps ship, too. Maye has a plethora of choices as far as universities. This comes down to the best fit, from talent to a university contending to top television airtime. After all, Maye wants to know where he is going and will give him as many Heisman chances as possible.
Maye is our third choice at +700 to +1000.
Arch Manning - Texas Longhorns - Newcomer Sneaks In?
Manning has been one of the most hyped “Heisman” candidates” in some time. However, the quarterback must compete and win the starter’s job first. Quinn Ewers figures not to provide much competition, but one never knows. Manning may not have to open the season to get to New York City.
Look at Max Duggan. All Duggan did was lead TCU into the college football playoff after taking over the quarterback position. College football shows us that often anything can happen. Manning has the pedigree and the conference to excel this upcoming season. No time is better than 2023.
Marvin Harrison Jr. - Ohio State Buckeyes - Back for More
Someone will surely be able to toss balls like Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2023. The son of the Hall Of Fame wide receiver caught 12 touchdowns and nearly ran up 1,200 yards. It is hard to believe he is just a junior heading into 2023. The question is consistency. Can the receiver put up numbers on a more weekly basis?
The Buckeye will vault to the top of the list if he can. If not, we will have to wonder what might have been again. Learn more about Ohio online sportsbooks launching soon which will undoubtedly offer the best odds on teh Buckeyes.
J.J. McCarthy and Jordan Travis - The Michigan and Florida State Coin Flip
This is where it gets fun. Michigan expects J.J. McCarthy to make more of an imprint on the Wolverines this season. He had 20 touchdowns and only a few interceptions in 2022. Then, there is Jordan Travis. The Florida State quarterback showed promise as the Seminoles looked like an improved team in the ACC.
Which one takes that next step? Pundits side with McCarthy, and the numbers will back that up. Travis, Florida State could contend for the ACC championship.
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Our numbers are based on projections and speculation as books will not release something more official until 2023.
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