Truly one of the most iconic awards in all of collegiate sports, perhaps the most iconic, the race for the 2022 Heisman Trophy is underway. Alabama’s Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman winner, is back for his junior season as the man under center for the Crimson Tide. He will be facing a strong quarterback field which features the likes of C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) and freshman Caleb Williams of USC. Meanwhile, a defensive dark horse has emerged as a surprise Heisman contender in Alabama outside linebacker Will Anderson Jr.
For this list, SBS will be going over what each athlete brings to the table, their resume and also who will be the one taking home the hardware after the college football season.
| Favorites to Win The 2022 Heisman Trophy |  |
|---|---|
| C.J. Stroud | +275 |
| Bryce Young | +650 |
| Caleb Williams | +900 |
| Will Anderson Jr. | +1200 |
The redshirt sophomore Stroud enters this season as the surprising favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. Following a 2021 campaign where he was named as a first-team All-Big Ten selection along with being selected as the conference’s Freshman of the Year, the quarterback is ready for his encore. Last year Stroud threw for 4,435 passing yards and accounted for 44 touchdowns through the air. Thanks to his amazing prowess, the Buckeyes were able to knock off Utah in the Rose Bowl, 48-45. During this game Stroud set a Rose Bowl record with 573 passing yards.
In what could be perceived as a slight to Young considering he will be 21 by the time the regular season rolls around, the Alabama singal-caller should still have all eyes on him in 2022. Not only did the Crimson Tide quarterback win the Heisman last season, but he also locked down the Maxwell and Davey O’Brien Awards too. What’s interesting is that given the Tide’s legendary gridiron dominance, Young became the first Alabama quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy when he clinched the title in 2021. If he can lock down the honor again, he will be the first player since Archie Griffin in 1975 to win the award twice.
Following a transfer from Oklahoma, Williams will be reunited with his head coach Lincoln Riley in southern California this season. During his freshman campaign with the Sooners, he posted some efficient numbers after assuming the starting role from Spencer Rattler. In 2021, Williams passed for nearly 2,000 yards along with accounting for 21 scores against just four interceptions. If he can engineer the great reawakening of USC football alongside Riley then he will have a considerable case for the 2022 Heisman Trophy.
Our final athlete showcase, Anderson is the only defensive player on this list, but he is an absolute terror for the Tide defense. Weighting in at nearly 250 pounds and armed with cat-like quickness, the Alabama outside linebacker is heralded as the nation’s top defensive player. A unanimous All-American selection in 2021 and the reigning Bronko Nagurski winner, NFL scouts are drooling over his potential production. Though he will likely be a first round choice in the NFL next season, the deck is stacked against defensive players winning the Heisman. The last time a solely defensive player won the award (and to date, the only time) was in 1997 when Charles Woodson locked down the honor.
Prediction: Perhaps history is against him, but Young leading the best team in the country next year is a recipe for Heisman success. Take the Tide quarterback to win again.
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About the Author
As a devout aficionado of sports, Chris Boline has carved a career within the athletic realm. A skilled scribe, he boasts a decade-long portfolio that encompasses coverage of the NBA G League, the Los Angeles Chargers, football in the Mountain West Conference, and basketball. Beyond his professional pursuits, Chris is deeply invested in his community and dedicates his leisure hours to serving on boards, collaborating with community organizations, and cherishing the company of loved ones.
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