Can Caleb Williams Repeat as the Heisman? | 2023-24 Heisman Contenders

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One of the top conversations every season, even if it begins a little prematurely, is it who will win the Heisman Trophy? If you’re a fan of roller coasters you probably enjoyed last seasons Heisman race. It felt like every week we had a new leader.
Hendon Hooker was on fire to start the season. Of course Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud were top notch. Caleb Williams and Lincoln Riley put up more ridiculous numbers once again. There was even a Cinderella story with Max Duggan and TCU. AND we had TWO running backs receive first place votes!
But this year’s the race might be even crazier. 
Just off the top of my head I think there’s at least 8 quarterbacks that could potentially be in the running for the Heisman this year. Along with running backs like Blake Corum and Nick Singleton, and players like Marvin Harrison Jr at Ohio State. The list is endless. And while the list for next season might be endless, it more than likely always starts with Caleb Williams.

Caleb Williams

Caleb Williams looks to become the second player ever to win two Heisman trophies, and I honestly think he has a good chance to do it.
Last season Williams put up over 4,900 yards and over 50 combined touchdowns to help the USC Trojans get back to the Pac-12 Championship for the first time since 2017.  USC is returning a ton of key players and have once again used the transfer portal to fill immediate needs for this roster. Anthony Lucas, Bear Alexander, and Emmanuel Pregnon should be impact players for USC and help them repeat as one of the top dogs in the Pac-12. 

Utah seems to be the only team to have the Trojans figured out. Other than that I think the Pac-12 will be a walk in the park for USC. Oregon State has potential to make things interesting, but that’s for another video.
In the last six years Lincoln Riley has produced three Heisman quarterbacks. It’s no secret his offenses produce fireworks week after week. 
Caleb Williams could be his biggest obstacle. Heisman trophy voters have the highest voter fatigue in all of sports. The only time there has been a two time Heisman winner was back in the ’74-’75 when Archie Griffin put up over 3,330 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Ohio State Buckeyes. 
However if Caleb Williams can win the Pac-12 while shouldering an even bigger work load for USC this year, don’t count out Williams to repeat. 

Marvin Harrison Jr.

The second guy I want to talk about could be the most hyped receiver we’ve ever seen in college football.
Last season we saw Marvin Harrison Jr. record 77 catches for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns. He had 7 games with over 100 yards and recorded a touchdown in eight games. That’s with receivers Julian Fleming and Emeka Egbuka also in this offense.
The way last season ended for Harrison leads me to believe we are going to get an even freakier version of him in 2023. Not only did Ohio State come within inches of making to the National Championship, he also was snubbed of the Biletnikoff Award too. 
If we look back to Devonta Smith’s Heisman season he recorded 117 catches for 1,856 yards and a whopping 23 touchdowns. That would break the SEC record for most receiving yards and touchdowns in one season, and pretty much all the Alabama school records. While Mac Jones had an impressive season as well, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, Smith’s historic season as a receiver was ultimately deemed more impressive by Heisman voters. 
The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football, regardless of position, and Smith’s record-breaking performance made him a clear favorite for the award.
IF Marvin Harrison Jr. can put up similar stats, break records in the process, and help Ohio State at least get back to the College Football Playoff, we could see another receiver actually take home the Heisman. 

Drake Maye

Drake Maye is one of the top quarterback prospects in college football so it’s no surprise he is on this list. Last year he finished in the Top-5 of pretty much all major passing statistics and will likely do so again this year. Not only did Drake Maye throw for over 4,300 yards and 38 touchdowns; he rushed for nearly 700 yards and 7 more touchdowns. 
Maye is losing the Tar Heels top two receivers from last year in Josh Downs and Antoine Green so the pressure is now all on him to lead this offense. However he has shown that he has the ability to elevate the play of those around him and make the most of his weapons. 
They do return Bryson Nesbit who caught over 500 yards last year. The Tar Heels also brought in transfers like Devontez Walker and Nate McCollum to try and revamp the receiver room for next season.
The Tar Heels are also in great shape to be one of the top teams in the ACC next season. They very well could go undefeated into the ACC Championship as the only big match ups are South Carolina and Clemson. 
If Maye can continue to improve and build on his impressive stats from last season, while also leading UNC to success against tough opponents, he could very well be a top candidate for the Heisman Trophy next year.

Blake Corum

Before tearing his meniscus, Blake Corum looked like he could be the first running back to win the Heisman since 2015.
He finished the season with over 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. He rushed for 100 yards or more in all of his Big-Ten games besides the Ohio State game he got injured in. He also rushed for 150+ yards in four games including one 243 yard performance against Maryland. 
Thus far it has been reported that Blake is ahead of schedule on his recovery, and is already back running. All reports indicate that he will be good to go for Week 1 of next season. During his recovery he has put on an extra 10-pounds of muscle, which should help keep him protected too. 
The Wolverines are prime to be right back in the mix for the College Football Playoff this season. If Corum stays healthy its safe to assume the All-American running back can repeat his success again on the ground.  

Jayden Daniels

The LSU Tigers were one of the bigger surprises last season. They are going to be pretty loaded on offense with key names returning at the receiver, tight end, and running back position. The offensive line also had two freshman tackles that will only get better this next season. 
All this sets up Jayden Daniels to make another run at the Heisman trophy. Towards the end of the year, as the Tigers built momentum so did Daniels’ Heisman odds. 
Looking at the Tigers schedule they could very well could 11-1 with their only lost to Alabama. Florida State, and Texas A&M  will be key games for him this year but should be games they win.
During SEC play last season Jayden Daniels was responsible 66% of the Tigers touchdowns and had over 2,500 combined yards. Maybe even more impressive is the fact Jayden only had 3 turnovers. 
His rushing ability can be electric and that not only creates huge plays for LSU but will keep his name posted all over social media. If he can improve just slightly as a passer, and bring up his passing touchdown numbers, I think Jayden Daniels will make a legit case to go to New York.