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College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Three Non-QB’s Who Should Have Made It to New York

Alec Nederveld dives into three players who should have been Heisman finalists

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The Heisman Trophy is a quarterback-dominated award. Since 2000, only four non-quarterbacks have won the award. Devonta Smith in 2020, Derrick Henry in 2015, Mark Ingram in 2009, and Reggie Bush in 2005. Like 2020 and 2009, 2022 also has a relatively weak quarterback class. There has been a mix of teams underperforming (Alabama), players regressing at the end of the season (Bo Nix, Drake Maye), and injuries (Hendon Hooker). Still, what if we made the case for three of the best non-quarterback candidates?

1. Blake Corum – RB – Michigan

Nov 12, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines running back Blake Corum (2) stiff arms Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back Malcolm Hartzog (13) in the first half at Michigan Stadium.
  • 5’8 200 Pounds 
  • RS Sophomore RB from Marshall, Virginia
  • 2022 Stats: 247 Carries, 1463 Yards, on 5.9 YPC, 18 TDs, 11 Receptions, 80 Yards, 1 TD 

The Redshirt Sophomore running back had a solid 2021 season as a running back 1B behind Hassan Haskins before injuries slowed his explosiveness and got fewer carries. However, in 2022, Blake Corum has exploded for another Big 10 Champion Michigan team. In his first 11 games, he ran for 1463 yards and 18 touchdowns with comparable but slightly worse stats to the other recent Heisman running backs. However, the injury bug struck Corum again. He had rushed for over 100 yards in the first half against Illinois before he was hit by the sideline, tearing his ACL. Corum tried playing in the second half of the Illinois game and again against Ohio State but could not contribute. Now, he’s officially out for the year for surgery. Corum would probably be in New York if he played against Ohio State and Purdue.

2. Bijan Robinson – RB – Texas

Oct 8, 2022; Dallas, Texas, USA: Texas Longhorns running back Bijan Robinson (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the Oklahoma Sooners during the annual Red River Showdown against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl.

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  • 6’0 215 Pounds
  • RS Sophomore from Tucson, Arizona
  • 2022 Stats: 258 Carries, 1580 Yards, 6.1 YPC, 18 TDs, 19 Receptions, 314 Yards, 2 TDs. 

Like Corum, Bijan Robinson had a solid 2021 season and is expected to be even better for an improved Texas team. Robinson lived up to the hype, increasing nearly all of his stats. The Long Horns improved as well, winning three more games. Texas still went 8-4 and didn’t even make the Big 12 Championship game. While winning your conference isn’t a requirement for winning the Heisman (Lamar Jackson), you have to be on another level above to be considered for the Heisman with an 8-4 record, which Robinson didn’t reach. Robinson also didn’t show up in Texas’ biggest games. He only had two games below 60 rushing yards and 4 yards per carry. Those were against Alabama and TCU. If Texas at least went 10-2 and won the Big 12, Robinson would probably be in New York, but Texas wasn’t good enough for him to go that far.

3. Ivan Pace Jr – LB- Cincinnatti

Sep 17, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0) reacts after a play against the Miami Redhawks in the second half at Paycor Stadium.
  • 6’0 235 Pounds
  • RS junior LB from Cincinnati, Ohio
  • 2022 Stats: 119 Tackles, 19 TFLs, 9 Sacks, 4 PDs, 2 FF

The best defensive player in the country should get some Heisman consideration, especially in a weak quarterback year. Ivan Pace Jr transferred from Miami (OH) after his redshirt Sophomore year and broke out in his hometown school. The 6’0, 235-pound Linebacker finished the year with 119 total tackles, 19.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and two forced fumbles. Under coach Luke Fickell, Cincinnati has always had a good defense, and Pace has become arguably the best or second-best player he’s developed. He’s also shown up against the best teams Cincinnati played. Against Tulane and Arkansas, Pace dominated the opposing offense, showing himself as a top LB in the country. Like Bijan Robinson, Cincinnati didn’t perform well enough for Pace to become a Heisman finalist. The Bearcats went 9-3 and didn’t make the American Conference Championship game. It’s rare for a defensive player to become a finalist and even rarer for a Group of 5 teams to get nominated. Couple that with a relatively bad year for Cincinnati, and there was no shot Pace would go to New York. 

Although 2022 became a weak year for Heisman-contending quarterbacks, it is a weak year for other positions as well. This year will become the closest Heisman race in a while, as there are valid cases for all candidates. So, who will leave New York City with the most prestigious trophy in College Sports? 

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