USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner after a breakout season in 2022. Now, we can look ahead to the candidates who will join the growing list of Heisman winners.
Before diving into our favorite Heisman Trophy candidates in 2023, with full breakdowns for our top picks, here’s a rundown of the latest Heisman odds and Sportsnaut’s Heisman watch list.
Our Heisman Trophy rankings and player analysis are updated every weekend.
Related: College Football defense rankings
Heisman Watch: Week 13 leaderboard
| Rank | Player | Week 13 stats | 2023 stats |
| 1 | Bo Nix | 33-of-40, 367 pass yards, 2-0 TD-INT, 31 rush yards, 1 TD | 3,906 pass yards, 78.6% completion, 37-2 TD-INT, 91.0 QBR, 159 rush yards, 6 TDs |
| 2 | Michael Penix Jr | 18-of-33, 204 pass yards, 2-1 TD-INT, 6.2 ypa | 3,899 pass yards, 32-8 TD-INT, 65.6% completion, 3 rush TDs |
| 3 | Jayden Daniels | 16-of-24, 235 pass yards, 4-0 TD-INT, 120 rush yards | 3,812 pass yards, 40-4 TD-INT, 1,134 rush yards, 10 rush TDs |
| 4 | Marvin Harrison Jr. | 5 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD, 23.6 ypc | 67 receptions, 1,211 receiving yards, 26 rushing yards, 15 total touchdowns |
| 5 | Jordan Travis | INJURED | 2,755 passing yards, 20-2 TD-INT, 8.4 ypa, 64% completion rate, 176 rush yards, 7 TDs |
Heisman Trophy rankings 2023: Top 5 candidates
1. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon Ducks
- Bo Nix stats 2023: 3,906 pass yards, 78.6% completion, 37-2 TD-INT, 91.0 QBR, 159 rush yards, 6 TDs
In the final Civil War, Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix capped off his regular season with another performance worth winning the Heisman Trophy. Nix completed 80-plus percent of his passes for the second consecutive week, the second time he’s achieved that back-to-back completion rate in 2023. He delivered 3 total touchdowns and nearly had 400 total yards in a 31-7 rout over Oregon State. Ultimately, our No. 1 spot in the Heisman Watch will come down to the Pac-12 Championship Game. Nix’s play over the last month has at least put him right up there with Penix Jr. and our preference has shifted for the first time.
2. Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington Huskies
- Michael Penix Jr stats 2023: 3,899 pass yards, 32-8 TD-INT, 65.6% completion, 3 rush TDs
The Washington Huskies are still undefeated, but quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is no longer our Heisman Watch leader. After throwing an interception in Week 13, Penix has now thrown six since Oct. 14. More alarmingly, he’s failed to complete 60 percent of his passes in three consecutive games. As for the game-winning drive, his biggest contribution was his decision on the fourth-down option reverse. Fortunately for Penix Jr. , he can win the Heisman Trophy by carrying Washington to a win over Nix and the Ducks in the Pac-12 title game next week.
3. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU Tigers
- Jayden Daniels stats 2023: 3,577 pass yards, 36-4 TD-INT, 11.8 ypa, 1,014 rush yards, 10 rush TDs
Jayden Daniels has the numbers worthy of leading the Heisman Trophy race. He made FBS history back in Week 11 and has continued to add to his LSU single-season records every week since. IN Week 13 against Texas A&M, Daniels once again put on a performance for the ages, accounting for nearly 400 yards of offense with four total touchdowns. The stats from start to finish this season have been absurd.
However, our Heisman vote isn’t being determined purely off the equivalent of fantasy stats. Wins aren’t an individual state, but Daniels did finish with a 3-2 TD-INT ratio and LSU scored under 30 points in two of its losses this season. He probably wins the award if not for LSU’s defense, but the overall resume just falls short as is. At the very least, he’s headed to New York City.
4. Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Ohio State Buckeyes
- Marvin Harrison Jr stats 2023: 67 receptions, 1,211 receiving yards, 26 rushing yards, 15 total touchdowns
Marvin Harrison Jr. did. everything a wide receiver can do to beat the best defense in the nation. He found the end zone against a Michigans secondary that previously allowed just 1 receiving touchdown in the red zone this season. He also was the only Ohio State player who gave fans hope on the attempt at a game-winning drive. With the loss, the best thing for Harrison Jr. is to sit out Ohio State’s bowl game. If this is the end for him, he had a phenomenal career.
5. Jordan Travis, QB, Florida State Seminoles
- Jordan Travis stats 2023: 2,755 passing yards, 20-2 TD-INT, 8.4 yards per attempt, 64% completion rate, 176 rush yards, 7 TDs
Devastating. That’s the only word to describe the Jordan Travis injury. For the Florida State Seminoles, it erases any shot of the team competing for a national championship and potentially could keep them out of the College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, just like with Hendon Hooker in 2022, the injury will take a few secondary Heisman Trophy votes for Travis. The senior quarterback finished his collegiate career with a phenomenal senior campaign, knocking out LSU in a thrilling season-opener, ending Florida State’s winning streak at Clemson and he won 10 consecutive games as one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation. Travis won’t even be a Heisman Trophy finalist, but he’s at least earned this recognition.
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Heisman Trophy odds 2023
Here are the latest Heisman Trophy odds before Week 13, via BetMGM.
- Bo Nix, Ducks – +110
- Jayden Daniels, LSU – +140
- Michael Penix, UW – +500
- Marvin Harrison Jr, OSU – +3000
- Carson Beck, Georgia – +3300
- Jalen Milroe, Alabama – +12500
Who is favored to win the Heisman Trophy 2023?
Oregon Ducks quarterback Bo Nix (-110) is favored to win the Heisman Trophy this season.
Who is on the Heisman watch list?
Michael Penix Jr (Washington Huskies), Jayden Daniels (LSU Tigers) and Bo Nix (Oregon Ducks) are the Heisman Trophy finalists entering Week 13.
Who is the Heisman favorite in 2023?
Bo Nix is currently the Heisman favorite based on the latest odds after Week 12. However, he’s third on our Heisman Watch ballot entering Week 13.
Why Caleb Williams won the Heisman Trophy 2022
Caleb Williams won the 2022 Heisman Trophy. The USC Trojans quarterback entered with the third-best Heisman odds this year, entering his second year in the Lincoln Riley offense, playing against Pac-12 defenses with Jordan Addison as his No. 1 receiver.
Despite avoiding multiple bad performances – something that can’t be said for C.J. Stroud – Williams’ chances of winning the Heisman Trophy weren’t always promising. Both Stroud and Hendon Hooker led the Heisman Watch at various points, but the star in Los Angeles made a late run that set him apart.
| QB Rating | TD-INT | Comp. % | YPA | Pass Yards | Rush Yards | Rush TD | |
| September | 162.5 | 9-0 | 65.6% | 8.6 | 1,054 | 100 | 2 |
| October | 168.0 | 15-1 | 64.1% | 8.7 | 1,328 | 149 | 1 |
| November | 174.8 | 10-2 | 68.2% | 10.1 | 1,330 | 102 | 7 |
Williams’ worst performance of the season came in a win against Oregon State back on Sep. 24. Facing a defense that finished the regular season allowing just 198.7 pass ypg in its last three games and ranked 13th in lowest average quarterback rating allowed (115.8), USC’s entire offense struggled on the road. The Trojans’ quarterback had more incompletions (20) than completed passes (16) and he finished with a 65.0 QBR.
There are a variety of reasons why Williams will win the Heisman Trophy. He far exceeded anything Stroud did on the ground (74 rushing yards), all while recording more passing yards with a superior TD-INT ratio. It’s also important to consider how Stroud fared later in the year.
- C.J. Stroud stats (November): 135.8 QB rating, 8-2 TD-INT, 57.6% completion rate
As for Max Duggan, the TCU Horned Frogs senior quarterback finished the regular season with an ESPN QBR (79.7) that fell 7.1 points behind Williams (86.8). Duggan also cooled off as the season unfolded with his completion rate dropping from 77% in September to 65% in October and November. Combined with the dip in quarterback rating and yards per attempt, mainly this past month (162.0, 7.7 ypa), and he was destined to be nothing more than a finalist.
Finally, Heisman voters think about narrative when picking their winner. Before Williams arrived at USC, the Trojans went 3-6 in 2021 and hadn’t experienced an eight-win season since 2019. A sleeping giant had finally awoken, with Williams ending USC’s woes since Pete Carroll left.
That’s why Caleb Williams is your Heisman Trophy winner.
Sportsnaut’s Heisman Trophy ballot
Here is Sportsnaut’s final Heisman Trophy ballot following the conclusion of conference championship weekend.
Top 5 Heisman candidates
| Rank | Player | 2022 stats |
| 1 | Caleb Williams, QB, USC | 4,075 pas yards, 37-4 TD-INT, 86.5 QBR, 66.1% completion, 9.1 yards per attempt, 10 rush TD |
| 2 | Max Duggan, QB, TCU | 3,321 pass yards, 30-4 TD-INT, 80.2 QBR, 64.9% completion, 9.0 yards per attempt, 6 rush TD |
| 3 | Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee | 89.6 QBR, 3,135 pass yards, 27-2 TD-INT, 69.6% completion, 430 rush yards, 5 TDs |
| 4 | CJ Stroud, QB, Ohio State | 3,340 pass yards, 37-6 TD-INT, 87.6 QBR, 66.2% completion, 9.4 yards per attempt, 11-1 record |
| 5 | Blake Corum, RB, Michigan | 1,543 scrimmage yards, 19 total touchdowns |
| 6 | Jalen Carter, DL, Georgia | 7 TFLs, 3 sacks, 2 FF, No. 1 run defense in college football (77 ypg allowed) |
| 7 | Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia | 3,425 pass yards, 20-6 TD-INT, 86.3 QBR, 68.1% completion, 8.7 yards per attempt, 7 rush TD |
| 8 | Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington | 4,354 pass yards, 29-7 TD-INT, 81.8 QBR, 66% completion, 8.7 yards per attempt, 4 rush TD |
Heisman Trophy FAQ: Everything you need to know
How many Heisman voters are there?
There are 870 media members, living Heisman winners and a collective fan vote to determine who wins the Heisman Trophy. Voters aren’t allowed to reveal who they voted for until after the Heisman Ceremony, which airs on ESPN at 8 PM ET.
Heisman vote margins: Who won the Heisman by the most votes?
USC Trojans running back OJ Simpson received the most Heisman votes ever, taking home 855 in 1968. Meanwhile, LSU Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow has the largest percentage of Heisman votes.
Most first-place Heisman votes
| Year | Player | 1st Place Votes |
| 1968 | O.J. Simpson, RB, USC | 855 |
| 2019 | Joe Burrow, QB, LSU | 841 |
| 2006 | Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State | 801 |
| 2014 | Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon | 788 |
| 1993 | Charlie Ward, QB, Florida State | 740 |
| 2017 | Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma | 732 |
| 2010 | Cam Newton, QB, Auburn | 729 |
Largest Heisman margin of victory
| Year | Player | 1st Place Votes |
| 2019 | Joe Burrow, QB, LSU | 93.8% |
| 2006 | Troy Smith, QB, Ohio State | 91.62% |
| 2014 | Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon | 90.92% |
| 2017 | Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma | 86% |
| 1998 | Ricky Williams, RB, Texas | 85.23% |
| 1993 | Charlie Ward, QB, Florida State | 83.79% |
| 2021 | Bryce Young, QB, Alabama | 83% |
Heisman Trophy results 2022
Here are the 2022 Heisman Trophy results. Further below, you can find an early look at our 2023 Heisman candidates.
| Player: | 1st Place: | 2nd Place: | 3rd Place: | TOTAL: |
| Caleb Williams, QB, USC | 544 | 168 | 63 | 2,031 |
| Max Duggan, QB, TCU | 188 | 357 | 142 | 1,420 |
| C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State | 37 | 119 | 190 | 539 |
| Stetson Bennett, QB, Georgia | 36 | 65 | 111 | 349 |
| Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee | 17 | 47 | 81 | 226 |
| Bryce Young, QB, Alabama | 17 | 28 | 34 | 141 |
| Blake Corum, RB, Michigan | 8 | 25 | 51 | 125 |
| Michael Penix Jr, QB, Washington | 9 | 20 | 47 | 114 |
| Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas | 4 | 12 | 39 | 75 |
| Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina | 3 | 6 | 21 | 42 |
2021 Heisman Trophy voting results
Here are the 2021 Heisman voting results.
| Player: | 1st Place: | 2nd Place: | 3rd Place: | TOTAL: |
| Bryce Young, QB, Alabama | 684 | 107 | 45 | 2,311 |
| Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan | 78 | 273 | 174 | 954 |
| Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh | 28 | 175 | 197 | 631 |
| C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State | 12 | 118 | 127 | 399 |
| Will Anderson, EDGE, Alabama | 31 | 79 | 74 | 325 |
| Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State | 18 | 53 | 85 | 245 |
| Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss | 10 | 32 | 56 | 150 |
| Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati | 5 | 15 | 36 | 81 |
| Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia | 9 | 15 | 18 | 75 |
| Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State | 0 | 1 | 7 | 17 |
With 83% of the total possible points, Bryce Young finished with the seventh-highest total in Heisman Trophy voting history.