Both the NBA and NHL Playoffs are winding down. This means that most sports fans are eager to get to college football season. Alabama star wideout Devonta Smith took home the coveted Heisman Trophy last season.
Who has the best chance to take home the most prestigious award in college football this year? Here’s an early look at the top 5 favorites to win the 2021 Heisman Trophy (FanDuel Sportsbook).
- Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina +1400
Howell had an impressive 2020 campaign for legendary coach Mack Brown and the upstart Tar Heels. The 6-1 225 pound junior accounted for 36 total touchdowns while only throwing seven interceptions. The ACC will still be a bit down this year (other than Clemson) so Howell should have plenty of chances to put up video game type of stats in 2021.
- JT Daniels, QB, Georgia +1100
Daniels missed a ton of games for Georgia last season due to a knee injury that he suffered while at USC in 2019. Once Daniels became the starter, the Bulldogs looked like a completely different football team. In only four games last season, Daniels threw 10 touchdowns and only two picks. The 21-year old has an NFL type of arm that can really terrorize defenses.
- DJ Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson +1100
With Clemson simply reloading each year with pro-level talent, Uiagalelei should have plenty of weapons to throw to downfield at receiver. Uiagalelelei is huge (6-4, 250 lbs.) and already knows how to take good care of the football. The 20-year old had a decent freshman season last year (5 touchdowns and no interceptions), and head coach Dabo Swinney expects 2021 to be Uiagalelei’s breakout season.
- Bryce Young, QB, Alabama +1100
Young is quite possibly the most highly touted QB recruit in Alabama history. It’s not every day that you see a kid with only 22 career passing attempts end up being a Heisman favorite the following season. That only speaks to how talented Young truly is.
Young is on the small side at 6-foot and 194 pounds, but he has a great arm and plenty of speed to burn once he gets out of the pocket. Alabama should be in the national title hunt once again in 2021, so Young should get plenty of opportunities to impress the Heisman voters.
- Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma +800
Rattler is the early Heisman Trophy favorite and deservedly so. The 6-1 205 pound sophomore was one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12 last year and he was only a freshman! Rattler tossed 28 touchdown passes, threw only 7 picks, and ran for another 6 scores.
Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley runs one of the best offensive systems in the country, so that bolsters Rattler’s Heisman chances. The Big 12 is also notorious for having awful pass defenses, so this helps Rattler’s Heisman stock as well. Just how good is Rattler? Many NFL scouts expect him to be the #1 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.