By : Ethan Horner
(Photo/Alex Muniz-New Era Prep)
It has been a very exciting college football season so far heading into Week 5. With plenty of standout performers across the country, nobody has truly separated themselves in the Heisman Trophy race just yet. That’s not too surprising with it still being September, but I thought I’d go ahead and give my top 5 Heisman finalists as things stand right now with the news of Oklahoma Quarterback John Mateer expected to miss sometime.
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Fernando Mendoza - QB, Indiana
Mendoza has been nothing short of spectacular this season, and his numbers speak for themselves. He’s coming off an incredible performance against No. 9 Illinois, where he threw 5 touchdowns with just 2 incompletions. On the year, he’s totaled 975 passing yards with 14 touchdowns, no interceptions, and an eye-popping 76.8% completion rate.
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Carson Beck - QB, Miami
The transfer quarterback has been a huge factor in Miami’s hot start, as the Hurricanes sit at 4-0 with two Top 25 wins — including one against a Top 10 team — and another over a gritty Florida defense. Beck has thrown for 972 yards and 7 touchdowns while completing 73.2% of his passes. While the numbers aren’t necessarily eye-popping compared to some others, his leadership and the impact he’s had on Miami’s early success earn him a spot on this list.
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Reuben Bain Jr. - Edge, Miami
While the Heisman has always leaned toward being an offensive award, if we’re being honest, this guy might just be the best player in college football. Bain has been absolutely dominant, posting the highest PFF grade of any defender in the nation at 94.7. He leads his team with 22 total tackles and has added 2 sacks and an interception to his stat line. Against Florida, he recorded a 44.8% pass-rush win rate, followed by a 43.8% win rate against Notre Dame — both elite numbers. He may not end up winning the award given how quarterback-friendly it is, but if he continues this level of dominance, he deserves to be in New York.
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Marcel Reed - QB, Texas A&M
There’s no question that Reed has taken a big step forward as a passer this season. He’s led the Aggies to a 3-0 start and a No. 9 national ranking, firmly putting them in the playoff conversation early. Through just three games, Reed has thrown for 869 yards and 9 touchdowns while also adding 142 rushing yards, all while posting a strong 74.6 QBR. His growth and dual-threat ability make him a legitimate Heisman contender.
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Joey Aguilar - QB, Tennessee
Aguilar might be one of the more underrated quarterbacks in the country right now, largely because his team came up just short against Georgia. Even in that loss, he was spectacular, going toe-to-toe with the No. 6 Bulldogs by throwing for 371 yards and accounting for 5 total touchdowns in an overtime battle. Through four games, Aguilar has racked up 1,124 passing yards and 12 touchdowns, showing he belongs in the Heisman conversation despite the setback.