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Paolo UggettiGAME
Georgia Stetson BennettUSC Caleb WilliamTCU’s Max Dugan and the State of Ohio CJ Stroud were announced on Monday as the finalists of the Heisman Trophy.
The four quarterbacks, who play for four of the top 10 teams this season, including three that will play in the College Football knockout round, will be in New York for Saturday’s Heisman ceremony .
USC’s Williams was the favorite (-2500) to take home the prize even after the Trojans were knocked out of the College Soccer Qualifiers after losing to Utah in the Pac Championship -12 on Friday. The sophomore, who moved to USC from Oklahoma after the Trojans hired Lincoln Riley, passed 4,000 yards this season and had 37 touchdowns, the most in the nation.
Duggan, who has led TCU to an undefeated regular season, throws 3,321 yards and 30 touchdowns this season as well as only four interceptions. The Iowa senior will lead the Horned Frogs against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl, with the winner taking the national championship.
The Peach Bowl semi-final will see the two Heisman finalists face off against each other in Bennett and Stroud.
Bennett returned to Georgia for his senior season after leading the Bulldogs to a national championship and 3,425 yards and 20 touchdowns for his encore.
Stroud reached the finals of Heisman last season and finished fourth. This season, Stroud has thrown 3,340 yards and 37 touchdowns – the most nationally with Williams.
Midfielders have dominated the award in recent years, winning 18 times since 2000 and taking home five of the past six titles. In 2020, Alabama’s DeVonta Smith is the first wide receiver to win a Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991.
Last season, Alabama’s Bryce Young became the first Tide quarterback to win the award. Despite throwing 3,007 yards and 27 touchdowns this season, Young was not nominated.
The Heisman Trophy will be awarded on Saturday in New York (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
