The longest offseason of any sport is getting closer to coming to an end. It’s August and that means the college football season is here. The beginning of the season brings a fresh start, new opportunities, and everyone with the feeling of having a chance to compete. That’s especially true with individual play so join us as we break down the contenders in our 2022 Preseason Heisman rankings.
Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud are leaders to begin this 2022 campaign, but who will be able to challenge them? Could a defensive superstar like Will Anderson finally make it through? What about a non-quarterback such as Bijan Robinson or Jaxson Smith-Njigba winning the award? Or, do we see someone coming out of nowhere to take the college football world by storm? With that, let’s take a look as we unveil our 2022 Preseason Heisman rankings.
As a reminder to our mobile readers to turn your devices for a better reading view.
Note: Ties were broken alphabetically by player’s last name
| Ranking | Player | Position | Team | Points |
| 1 | Bryce Young | QB |  |
70 |
| 2 | C.J. Stroud | QB |  |
68 |
| 3 | Will Anderson | DL | |
37 |
| 4 | Bijan Robinson | RB |  |
31 |
| 5 | Caleb Williams | QB |  |
17 |
| 6 | Jordan Addison | WR | |
6 |
| 7 | Jaxson Smith-Njigba | WR | |
4 |
| 8 | K.J. Jefferson | QB |  |
3 |
| 9 | Grayson McCall | QB |  |
2 |
| 10 | Tank Bigsby | RB |  |
1 |
| 11 | Tyler Van Dyke | QB |  |
1 |
Top Five Candidates
1. Bryce Young
QB | Alabama Next Game: 9/3 vs Utah State
Young narrowly begins at number one on our list as the returning winner. After losing in the national championship game, Young and the Tide will be busting at the seems to have a better season in 2022. However, Alabama has to reload just a bit at the wide receiver spot after losing Jameson Williams and John Metchie who accounted for over 2,700 yards last season. They are replaced by a couple of transfers Jermaine Burton and Tyler Harrell from Georgia and Louisville.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2. CJ Stroud
QB | Ohio State Next Game: 9/3 vs Notre Dame
Stroud lands just two points behind Young in our 2021 preseason Heisman rankings. The Buckeyes have an embarrassment of riches on offense and should be one of, if not, the best offenses in 2022. Jaxson Smith-Njigba headlines the receiving corps with over 1,600 yards last season. But, Marvin Harrson, Jr, Julian Fleming, and Emeka Egbuka headline the best corps in the country. Stroud has an immediate impact game as the Fighting Irish come to town in week one.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3. Will Anderson
DL | Alabama Next Game: 9/3 vs Utah State
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
4. Bijan Robinson
RB | Texas Next Game: 9/3 vs Louisiana Monroe
Although it was a disappointing season in Austin last season, Robinson was one that did not disappoint. In just 10 games, he had over 1,400 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns. He’ll have plenty of opportunities this season as the premier running back in the land. If the offensive line can improve, he could flirt with a 2,000 scrimmage yard season. Robinson and the Horns will get a huge test in week two as Alabama comes calling.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. Caleb Williams
QB | USC Next Game: 9/3 vs Rice
Nobody showed more upside as a true freshman in 2021 than Williams did. In only seven starts he accounted for over 2,300 yards from scrimmage and 27 touchdowns. Now, in his second season with Lincoln Riley Williams has the chance to put up video game numbers. The Trojans are right there with Ohio State in wide receiver talent with Jordan Addison, Mario Williams, and Gary Bryant on the receiving corps. Don’t be surprised to see over 4,000 passing yards, 1,000 rushing yards, and 40+ touchdowns from Williams this season.
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The post 2022 Preseason Heisman Rankings appeared first on Last Word on College Football.
Leave a Reply