of Georgia Stetson Bennettof USC Caleb Williamsof TCU Max Duggan and Ohio State CJ Strode The Heisman Trophy finalists were announced Monday.
Four quarterbacks playing for four of the top 10 teams this season, including three playing in the College Football Playoff, will have the Heisman ceremony Saturday in New York.
USC’s Williams is the favorite (-2500) to take home the award, even after Friday’s loss to Utah in the Pac-12 championship game eliminated the Trojans from the College Football Playoff. The sophomore, who transferred from Oklahoma to USC after the Trojans hired Lincoln Riley, topped 4,000 passing yards and had 37 touchdowns this season.
Duggan, who led TCU to an undefeated regular season, threw for 3,321 yards and 30 touchdowns and only four interceptions this season. The senior from Iowa will lead the Horned Frogs against Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl, with the winner advancing to the national title game.
The other two Heisman finalists, Bennett and Stroud, will face each other in the Beach Bowl semifinals.
Bennett returned to Georgia for his senior season after leading the Bulldogs to a national title and threw for 3,425 yards and 20 touchdowns for his encore.
Stroud was a Heisman finalist last season and finished fourth. This season, Stroud threw for 3,340 yards and 37 touchdowns — tied for the most in the nation with Williams.
Quarterbacks have dominated the award in recent years, winning 18 times since 2000 and taking home five of the last six trophies. In 2020, Alabama’s Devonta Smith became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991.
Last season, Alabama’s Bryce Young became the first Tide quarterback to win the award. Despite throwing for 3,007 yards and 27 touchdowns this season, Young was not nominated.
The Heisman Trophy will be presented Saturday in New York (8 p.m. ET, ESPN).
