College Football Heisman Trophy Watchlist After Week 4

Justin's NCAA college football top Heisman Trophy contenders after Week 4 of the 2023 season. Top candidates include Caleb Williams and Michael Penix Jr.

No trophy in college sports means as much as the Heisman Trophy, which recognizes the best player in college football. That's why each week I'll be taking stock of the top five contenders for the trophy.

This week there's a good bit of change in the top five. Out is Notre Dame's Sam Hartman after he threw for just 175 yards in this week's loss to Ohio State. There's also, for the first time, a shake-up at the top of the watchlist.

Below are the top five Heisman contenders after Week 4 of the college football season. These are the five players who I view as having the best shot to win the trophy based on their performances this season.

5. Bo Nix - QB, Oregon

After a dominant 42-6 win over Colorado on Saturday, the Ducks are 4-0. Quarterback Bo Nix threw his first interception of the year in the win, but also completed 84.8% of his pass attempts. He's thrown for 1,169 yards and 11 touchdowns and has added one score on the ground.

4. Jordan Travis - QB, Florida State

Jordan Travis hasn't had a game like the LSU one again, but he had another solid outing against Clemson. Travis completed just 56.8% of his pass attempts, but finished with 289 yards and two touchdowns, plus added another score on the ground.

3. Quinn Ewers - QB, Texas

Quinn Ewers threw just one touchdown pass against Baylor, but his overall numbers this season remain strong. The sophomore has completed 64.3% of his passes for 1,033 yards and nine touchdowns. He's yet to throw an interception.

2. Caleb Williams - QB, USC

Defending Heisman winner Caleb Williams slipping to second here isn't a knock on his season. The Heisman race is a two-player race right now and the other contender just seems to have the narrative edge. Williams completed a season-low 64.5% of his passes, but still finished with 322 yards and three touchdowns while running for two scores as well. He's thrown 15 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

1. Michael Penix Jr. - QB, Washington

Michael Penix Jr. takes the lead in the Heisman race this week, but it looks like the top two are going to switch back and forth a lot this year. The one big mark against Penix is that he's been picked off twice, but he's completed 74.6% of his passes with 16 touchdowns as the Huskies have started 4-0. He also has the narrative edge, as his ascension this season wasn't as expected as Williams' continued dominance was.

More College Football Analysis