With Week Zero upon many college fans, now is the time to anticipate what will likely be one of the most exciting seasons in recent history. You have defending national champion Georgia hoping to fend off a re-loaded and motivation Nick Saban-led Alabama Crimson Tide squad led by reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Bryce Young.
You also have the always prolific Ohio State Buckeyes, led by pre-season Heisman Trophy favorite, C.J. Stroud and a loaded offense that features tailback TreVeyon Henderson and WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
While we know who some of the Heisman favorites are, let’s look at some of the top sleepers to keep an eye on this season!
Oklahoma Sooners QB Dillion Gabriel: After setting freshman records down at UCF and almost leading the Knights to the CFP playoffs, the former Knights QB lands in Norman under new head coach Brent Venables and his old offensive coordinator from his time down in Orlando in offensive coordinator, Jeff Lebby.
In his freshman year back in 2019, after replacing injured starter Mackenzie Milton, the 6-foot 220-pounder from Mililani, HI completed 236-of-398 passes (59.3 percent) of his passes for 3,653 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Gabriel would follow up his freshman campaign in completing 248-of-413 passes (60 percent) of his passes for 3,570 yards, 32 touchdowns and four interceptions.
Thanks to their recent success in producing Heisman Trophy winners such as Baker Mayfield (2017), Kyler Murray (2018) and a finalist in Jalen Hurts (2019) under Lincoln Riley, don’t be shocked if Lebby and Gabriel continue that trend and wind up in New York.
Miami Hurricanes QB Tyler Van Dyke: Outside of the forementioned Gabriel out at Oklahoma, the biggest sleeper to watch is Miami Hurricanes QB Tyler Van Dyke.
At a towering 6’4 and 220 pounds, Van Dyke is the prototypical NFL pocket passer with some added mobility. After passing for 25 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2021, the Glastonbury, CT native has emerged as one of the top QB prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft.
With notable and marquee matchups vs. SEC contender No.6 Texas A&M in College Station, the always-intense intra-state affair at home vs. Florida State, at Clemson and the season finale at home against defending conference champion, Pitt, Van Dyke could very likely cement his Heisman candidacy.
Louisville Cardinals QB Malik Cunningham: A dual-threat quarterback that eerily mirrors 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, can Malik Cunningham be the second coming? Similar in both height, build and agility to Jackson, Cunningham can electrify and freeze opposing defenses on both the ground and in the air as the Montgomery, Alabama native threw for 2,941 yards, 19 touchdowns and six interceptions. On the ground, Cunningham rushed for 1,031 yards on 173 carries and 20 touchdowns.
With primetime matchups vs. UCF, defending conference champion No.17 Pitt, No.22 Wake Forest, at No.4 Clemson, No.13 N.C. State and on the road in Lexington vs. No.20 Kentucky, Cunningham has a chance to shape and influence a few Heisman voters this fall.
USC Trojans WR Jordan Addison: After having a breakout season catching passes from Heisman Trophy finalist and current Pittsburgh Steelers rookie QB, Kenny Pickett, Pitt Panthers transfer WR Jordan Addison hopes to continue his strong play out in La-La land for the USC Trojans.
A 6’0 175-pund junior from Frederick, MD, Addison is already reminding many of another former DMV native in Bills superstar, Stefon Diggs, thanks to hauling in 100 catches for 1,593 yards and 17 touchdowns in averaging 15.9 yards per catch.
While he may no longer have Pickett throwing him the ball, Addison is set to become a real problem for opposing defenses thanks to former Oklahoma QB—and fellow Heisman contender—Caleb Williams throwing him the ball in the forementioned Lincoln Riley’s pass-happy high-octane system, which has had a history of producing Heisman winners in Norman.
Just saying.
Ohio State Buckeyes RB TreVeyon Henderson: After exploding onto the national scene as a freshman in rushing for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns on 183 carries, Ohio State Buckeyes tailback TreVeyon Henderson has a real chance in adding to Ohio State’s rich tradition of Heisman Trophy running backs.
Les Horvath (1944), Vic Janowicz (1950), Howard “Hopalong” Cassidy (1955), two-time winner Archie Griffin (1974 and 1975) and Eddie George (1995), are the names that Henderson is chasing and hoping to add his own to. There is the real possibility that 5’10, 214-pounder from Hopewell, VA may possibly take votes away from his current team and projected Heisman favorite in the forementioned Stroud.
Depending on how well he plays this year, that may very well happen, but if one of them helps secure the Buckeyes’ eighth Heisman, none of that may matter.
Alabama Crimson Tide MLB Will Anderson Jr.: Dominating and devastating. If there are two words that best describe Will Anderson Jr. These would be it.
One year after recording 52 total tackles (33 solo and 19 assists), seven sacks and one forced fumble, the 6’4, 243-pound native of Hampton, GA followed up his sophomore year with a simply dominant stat line in registering 101 total tackles (57 solo tackles and 44 assists) and 17.5 sacks.
While it is not common for a defensive player—such as a pass rusher, or linebacker—to win the Heisman, if former Michigan Wolverines—and current Detroit Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson can make it to New York and be a finalist, then so can Anderson Jr.
Thanks to playing in a stacked defense for college football’s most powerful and successful in the CFP era, don’t rule out Anderson Jr. making a cameo in NYC.