Heisman Trophy Watch: Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa lead race for college football’s top award

Quarterbacks have won the Heisman Trophy every year save three since the turn of the century, and appear poised to have one of their fraternal order claim college football’s top honor once again this season.

After last weekend’s conference title games, the two favorites for the Heisman are Oklahoma junior Kyler Murray and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa.

The next two strongest candidates are sophomore Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins West Virginia senior Will Grier. Last year’s winner, Baker Mayfield, was the first senior in a dozen years to win the Heisman.

UPDATED December 6, 2018

Murray threw for 379 yards and three touchdowns as the then No. 5 Sooners got revenge vs. No. 14 Texas to win the Big 12 title. He season-long strong numbers have him at the top of the heap heading into bowl season.

2018 Statistical Overview

Tagovailoa’s Heisman Trophy odds took a hit when he was forced to exit the game against Georgia during the fourth quarter with Alabama trailing. For the game he threw for just one touchdown with two interceptions.

2017 Statistical Overview

Haskins passed for 499 yards and five touchdowns in Ohio State’s 45-24 win over Northwestern in the 2018 Big Ten Football Championship. The awesome air assault (and a supportive tweet from LeBron James) have thrust No. 7 back into the Heisman discussion.

2018 Statistical Overview

In their last game of the regular season, West Virginia got into a high-scoring affair vs. No. 6 Oklahoma and were ultimately edged 59-56. Grier kept the Mountaineers in the game with 539 yards passing and four touchdowns, while Murray led the Sooners with 364 yards passing and 3 touchdown passes along with rushing for 114 yards and a rushing score.

2018 Statistical Overview

Distantly trailing the four frontrunners in the hunt for the Heisman are Memphis running back Darrell Henderson, Washington State quarterback Gardner Minshew, and Clemson running back Travis Etienne.