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2021 Heisman Trophy Predictions with Odds and Expert Analysis

by Chris Vasile - 9/21/2021

Heisman Trophy predictions Bryce Young Alabama Crimson Tide

We are three weeks into the college football season, and there is no better time than to take a look at which players are in the running for the Heisman Trophy. There are a lot of great players in today’s game, but only a few get shortlisted and have a realistic shot of winning the award. Through four weeks, we’ve seen some really impressive performances, like Matt Corral’s seven-touchdown game. We’ve also seen some duds from Heisman hopefuls like Spencer Rattler and JT Daniels.

However, the season is still young. And while teams try to piece together wins to get into the bowl mix/College Football Playoff, we will see the best players step up and assert themselves as legitimate Heisman contenders as we move into the mid-to-late portion of the season. Below is a list of the top Heisman candidates heading into Week 4.

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The Favorite

Bryce Young, Quarterback, Alabama Crimson Tide
Odds: +165

It really shouldn’t come as a surprise that an Alabama player is currently the front-runner for the Heisman. Alabama has been nothing but a juggernaut over the last decade, churning out NFL player after NFL player en route to winning National Championship after National Championship. This was the year that Alabama was supposed to take a step back after losing so many key contributors to the NFL from last year’s team. However, that has not happened, and Bryce Young has filled in nicely at quarterback for Alabama and has led them to a 3-0 start. Last week against Florida, Bryce looked shaky at times, but he still managed to go 22 of 35 for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Young now has surpassed the 800-yard passing mark with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s done that against two Top 15 teams, so that simply can’t be ignored.

The Contender: Matt Corral, Quarterback, Mississippi Rebels
Odds: +250

Corral has emerged as the only real contender (it’s early) to knock Young out of the favorite status and win the Heisman Trophy. Corral made light work of Tulane in Week 3, tying the school’s single-game scoring record by throwing for three touchdowns and rushing for four (yes, he’s a quarterback). Corral is now just shy of the 1,000-yard passing plateau through three games, and he’s thrown nine touchdown passes and rushed it in five times. His play has taken the Rebels to a new level that they haven’t seen in quite a long time. They are now a viable threat in the SEC, but they have a tough road ahead of them in conference play. We will learn a lot more about Corral’s chances at winning the Heisman in Week 5 as Ole Miss travels to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide.

The Darkhorse

Malik Willis, Quarterback, Liberty
Odds: +800

It has been 31 years since a player that doesn’t play for a Power 5 team has won the Heisman Trophy. That would be Ty Detmer in 1990 as the quarterback for BYU. Seeing Malik Willis’ name this high up the Heisman Trophy odds board is simply a fresh of breath air. The Heisman is given awarded to the “most outstanding player” in college football, and Willis deserves to be recognized as one of those outstanding players this season. He has led Liberty to a 3-0 start and has been electric in doing so. Willis has completed 49 of 69 pass attempts for a 71 percent completion rating and 613 passing yards. He’s got seven passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns to go along with 225 rushing yards. He’s the focal point of the Liberty offense. And no matter what kind of competition they face, Liberty has shown time and time again that they are a good team and that Willis’ is at the heart of everything. While I do think it’s an outside shot he wins it, I’ll be rooting for him.

Honorable Mentions:

Spencer Rattler, Quarterback, Oklahoma
Odds: +1200

JT Daniels, Quarterback, Georgia

Odds +1200

Desmond Ridder, Quarterback, Cincinnati

Odds: +1200

Before the season started, Rattler and Daniels were among the early Heisman favorites. They’ve played just “ok” in the first three games of the season and as such have fallen behind the rest of the guys in front of them. On the other hand, Desmond Ridder has seen his odds increase as he moves up the odds board and could potentially sneak into the favorite group if he continues to play well. Ridder has led his Bearcats to a 3-0 start while throwing for 748 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s also found paydirt with his feet twice. If you take Ridder out of the starting lineup, the Bearcats crumble as they don’t have any QB depth worth mentioning. While Ridder may be the most “valuable”, he’s got an uphill climb to prove he’s the most “outstanding” player in college football.

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