Bryce Young just won the Heisman trophy so logically we have to start talking about Heisman candidates for next season. The criteria for this list is someone who has not won a Heisman but has college eligibility so that eliminates Bryce Young, plus he is obviously a candidate. I apologize to every candidate on this list as I am I have jinxed each one of them. Here are a list of 10 players who should be some of the preseason favorites to win the 2022 Heisman.
Bijan Robinson (RB, Texas): Bijan Robinson was my preseason Heisman pick and he obviously did not win this year so I will make him a front runner for next year. Robinson was the feature back for Steve Sarkisian in his first season as the head coach. Robinson only played in 10 games before suffering a season ending injury. He finished the season with 1,127 rushing yards and 295 receiving yards with 15 total touchdowns. The addition of Quinn Ewers should be a positive for Robinson.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB, Ohio State): TreVeyon Henderson was one of the most anticipated freshman for 2021 and he did not disappoint. Henderson finished the season with 1,172 rushing yards, 285 receiving yards, and 19 total touchdowns. Henderson had five games this season with less than 10 carries. Ohio State will lose Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave which should result in more touches for Henderson. He will enter the 2022 season as the feature running back for Ohio State.
Brennan Armstrong (QB, Virginia): The only reason Armstrong should not be on this list is if he declares for the NFL draft. Armstrong was third in the country with 4,444 passing yards this past season. He also tossed 31 touchdowns to only 10 interceptions while completing over 65% of his passes. Armstrong threw for at least 300 yards in all but one game. Virginia also capitalized on his rushing ability as Armstrong rushed for 256 yards and nine touchdowns. The addition of Tony Elliott should benefit Armstrong as Elliott was the offensive coordinator at Clemson prior to taking the job at Virginia.
Lew Nichols (RB, Central Michigan): Lew Nichols was listed as a freshman but this was actually his third season playing college football. He redshirted his first year then last year did not count towards anyone’s eligibility. Nichols led the nation in rushing yards in 2021 with 1,710 rushing yards. Nichols topped 150 yards in seven different games but he also failed to reach 25 yards in two games. Players from the MAC have a hard time getting noticed but another strong year from Nichols could help put him on the national stage. The last MAC player invited to New York was Jordan Lynch from Northern Illinois.
Sam Hartman (QB, Wake Forest): Sam Hartman had a breakout season where he finished in the top 12 of passing yards, passing touchdowns, and QB rating. Hartman had his worst game of the season in the ACC championship game where he threw four interceptions against Pitt. Hartman also tallied 342 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on the season. Wake Forest signed Dave Clawson to an extension which will help Wake Forest moving forward. Hartman should be in line to have another promising season in 2022.
Tyler Van Dyke (QB, Miami FL): If I did not put Tyler Van Dyke on this list, I probably would have been crucified on twitter. Van Dyke became the starter after D’Eriq King suffered a season ending injury. In nine games this season, Van Dyke averaged 325 passing yards per game. He totaled 25 passing touchdowns with only six interceptions. The biggest question for Van Dyke will be the offensive scheme at Miami next year. Mario Cristobal did not throw the ball much at Oregon this past year but Anthony Brown does not have the same arm talent as Van Dyke.
Jordan Addison (WR, Pitt): Jordan Addison won the Biletnikoff award after totaling 1,479 yards and 17 touchdowns. The biggest concern for Addison is who will be throwing him the ball next year. He benefited from Kenny Pickett taking a leap forward in his development. Addison will need another capable quarterback to get him the ball. No matter who takes the snaps for Pitt next year, Addison should be the main target.
Will Anderson (LB, Alabama): Will Anderson led the country with 15.5 sacks this past season. Anderson should be a key part to the Alabama defense once again in 2022. The biggest problem with defensive players winning the Heisman is they need to light up the stat sheet on a weekly basis. Anderson had zero forced fumbled and zero interceptions. He is certainly capable of taking his game to the next level and he will need to in order to get an invite to New York next fall.
Braelon Allen (RB, Wisconsin): Remember when we were all worried about Wisconsin finding their next star running back? Well they found their stud running back in Braelon Allen. Allen took over as the starter in October and finished the season with 1,109 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns while averaging 7.1 yards per carry. Allen rattled off seven straight games with at least 100 rushing yards and scored in all but one game during the stretch. The tradition of dominate Wisconsin running backs has returned.
Jaxson Dart (QB, USC): The sole reason Jaxon Dart made this list is because Lincoln Riley took over at USC. Dart played in seven games this past season and is expected to be the starter next season with Kedon Slovis entering the transfer portal. Dart threw nine touchdowns and five interceptions in limited action. Riley helped Kyler Murray and Baker Mayfield win a Heisman while at Oklahoma with Jalen Hurts finishing second. If Riley is going to bring success to USC next year, it will be on the back of Jaxson Dart.
Honorable Mentions: Caleb Williams (QB, Oklahoma), Sean Clifford (QB, Penn State), Spencer Rattler (QB, South Carolina), John Metchie (WR, Alabama), Xavier Worthy (WR, Texas), Felix Anudike-Uzomah (DE, Kansas State), Phil Jurkovec (QB, Boston College), Will Rogers (QB, Mississippi State), CJ Stroud (QB, Ohio State), Cameron Rising (QB, Utah), Deuce Vaughn (RB, Kansas State)
