Most years there are clear frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy, but they don’t always win the award. In 2019, Joe Burrow came out of nowhere to take home the trophy and DeVonta Smith did the same in 2020. It may just happen again in 2023. Here are the darkhorse contenders for the 2023 Heisman Trophy.Note: Odds found here. All players have 25/1 (or +2,500) odds or higher.
Drew Allar, QB, Penn State Nittany Lions (25/1)
Allar has not played too much college football in his young career yet. He signed with Penn State as a highly-touted recruit in the class of 2022. As a true freshman he passed for 344 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions on 58.3 percent completion. He was a backup in 2022 and is now taking the reins of the offense.
Penn State has a few big games where Allar will need to step up, which could help get him traction for the Heisman. The Nittany Lions play both Ohio State and Penn State. If Allar doesn’t play well Penn State won’t win, but if he does, not only will the team benefit, but he could sneak into some of the Heisman talk. He’ll have a good running game and offensive line to lean on for help.
Joe Milton, WR, Tennessee Volunteers (25/1)
Milton started his career at Michigan before transferring to Tennessee. After Hendon Hooker took over the starting job, Milton has seen limited time as the backup quarterback. Last season, he passed for 971 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions on 64.6 percent completion. His play helped Tennessee win the Orange Bowl over Clemson.
Tennessee plays a grueling schedule that includes games against Florida, Texas A&M, Alabama and Georgia. Milton will have plenty of chances for Heisman moments. With seven starters returning around him on offense there is plenty of potential to put up points, even if they don’t rank first for points per game as they did last year.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State Buckeyes (27/1)
Harrison had a slow start to his college career, because he was behind some talented receivers at Ohio State. He had 11 catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns in 2021. Harrison was one of the more improved players in the entire country in 2022, finishing the year with 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. His play helped the Buckeyes reach the College Football Playoff.
It is not often a receiver can win the Heisman Trophy, but DeVonta Smith did it a few years ago. Harrison Jr. will play Notre Dame, Penn State and Michigan this season giving him ample opportunities to prove he is worthy of the award. Ohio State will be feeding him the ball, which should give him a chance to improve on his stats from 2022. He will be working with a new quarterback in Kyle McCord, but he will have chemistry with him, as they played together in high school.
Blake Corum, RB, Michigan Wolverines (50/1)
Corum was on the cusp of being a Heisman Finalist last season before tearing his ACL. He rushed for 1,463 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2022, which is more than he had in his career before that. Now, he is trying to come back to the season healthy for another run at the award.
Like other players on this list, Corum will have big games to gain recognition for the award. The Wolverines will play both Ohio State and Penn State this year for marquee games. Corum will have some competition for carries moreso than last year, as Donovan Edwards was injured to start last year, then really showed his worth when Corum went down with injury. If Corum is healthy and still gets a healthy workload, he can still compete for the award.
Cam Rising, QB, Utah Utes (65/1)
Rising has been a star for the Utes over the last two seasons. He passed for 2,493 yards, 20 touchdowns and five interceptions on 63.8 percent completion in 2021. His play helped Utah get to the Rose Bowl that season. The Utes were able to go to the Rose Bowl again in 2022 after Rising threw for 3,034 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions on 64.7 percent completion.
Rising playing for Utah means that he will have to do incredible things to get enough recognition to win the award. He will have opportunities to play big games this year to aid his cause. The Utes play Baylor, USC, Oregon and Washington. Rising is an extreme longshot to win the Heisman, but he could have stats and team results that warrant him being considered.
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