1. QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

Who would’ve thought through the first three weeks of the season, Michael Penix Jr. would be leading the country in passing? Not me at the start of the year. But Penix is balling. He’s playing extremely clean football right now having only thrown 1 interception this season to go with 12 touchdowns. In each of Washington’s three games, Penix has thrown for over 400 yards and has combined for 1,332 yards. As of right now, he’s number one in my Heisman ranking, but with PAC-12 play on the horizon, he’ll need to keep up this level of play to stay atop the rankings.

2. QB Sam Hartman, Notre Dame

I’m done saying that “maybe this is my fandom talking“, because Sam Hartman is playing at an elite level. He’s thrown for 1,061 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions through four games, but he has only played the entirety of the game in three of Notre Dame’s four matchups thus far. Had he played out the rest of the snaps vs Navy or Tennessee State, his numbers would be inflated. But Hartman’s not just doing it with his arm, he’s also added two rushing touchdowns this season. He’ll have his potential Heisman moment this week if he throws for over 300 yards and 2 or 3 touchdowns vs a very good Ohio State team.

3. QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

While Colorado as a whole has been one of the great surprises in college football this year, to me, Shedeur Sanders has been the bigger shock. In week one vs TCU, he looked extremely poised in a high pressure game and went 38-47 with 510 yards and 4 touchdowns. I was left gobsmacked by his elite performance. Initially, I thought this was a flash in the pan, but he’s kept up this elite play over the last two games. On the season, Sanders has thrown for 1,251 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Much like Hartman having his big test this week, if Sanders can win vs Oregon without Travis Hunter, he’ll move up the list.

4. WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

Through three games, Hunter has been exquisite. What’s unfortunate though is he’ll be out for around three weeks due to a cheap shot against Colorado State. On both sides of the ball, Hunter has been assaulting players and breaking their spirit while playing a hundred snaps a game. Through the three games this season, Hunter has tallied 9 tackles, 2 pass breakups, and 1 interception. When he flips to the offensive side of the ball, Hunters reeled in 16 passes for 213 yards. With him being out for the foreseeable future, he’ll drop down the rankings, but right now, he’s maybe the best player in the country.

5. RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame

Coming into the season, I expected running backs like Blake Corum, TreVeyon Henderson, and Quinshon Judkins to really breakout. That hasn’t been the case so far, but one man from South Bend has looked like a monster. The 5’11, 227-pound powerhouse Audric Estime leads the country in rushing with 512 yards and is tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns with 5. He’s currently averaging 8.3 yards a carry and in every game so far, he’s rushed for over 90 yards. Estime has pronounced himself as the best running back in college this year and will get to prove it this weekend vs an elite Ohio State front seven.

6. QB Caleb Williams, USC

Something that must be remembered is that the season is a marathon, not a sprint. Last years Heisman winner, Caleb Williams, has been playing clean football and has flown under the radar as other players have played very well. Over three games, Williams has passed for 878 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions with a completion percentage of 78.6%. With how loaded the PAC-12 is, if Williams keeps playing clean, he’ll be back in New York as a finalist. I’m sure he’ll be in the top three as the season progresses, but right now, he’s at six in my rankings.

7. QB Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma

After the way Oklahoma played last season, I’m shocked with their performance to start the season. A big reason for their success is due to Dillon Gabriel’s play. He’s passed for 905 yards, 11 touchdowns, and only 1 interception in addition to 1 rushing touchdown. A big concern I have for Gabriel is can he continue to play this good against BIG 12 schools? Cincinnati, Texas, UCF, and BYU have good defenses and if he can light them up, then he’ll close in on being a Heisman finalist as the season wraps.

8. WR Gage Larvadain, Miami Ohio

It’s a wild shot, but could a wideout from a MAC school be a Heisman finalist in 2023? If anyone could, it’s Gage Larvadain from Miami. In three games, Larvadain has reeled in 17 passes for 432 yards and 4 touchdowns, but it’s explosive plays that sets Larvadain apart from other wideouts. He had one catch vs Cincinnati, which was a 79 yard touchdown. Against UMass, he had a 99 yard touchdown reception that was one of his three vs the Minutemen. It could be ephemeral the way Larvadain is playing, but it’s been a spectacle this season watching him play.

9. OLB Jacob Roberts, Wake Forest

I’d be remised to leave the nation’s sack leader out of the top ten. Jacob Roberts is currently leading all of the FBS in sacks, but isn’t just getting after the quarterback. He’s strictly balling out. Over three games, Roberts has totaled 31 tackles, 5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Where things will get tricky for Roberts is that he hasn’t really played stiff competition. If Roberts can dominate against ACC tackles from Clemson, Florida State, and Duke, then we could see him make a dark horse run at the Heisman.

10. QB Jordan Travis, Florida State

At the start of the season, I picked Jordan Travis to win the Heisman. He started off hot going 23-31 with 342 yards and 4 touchdowns against LSU, but did struggle a bit vs Boston College and missed some time during the game with an injury. I’d like to have him higher, but I can’t justify it right now. I think a down game early in the year vs Boston College could be good for him, but he needs to really ramp up his play the next few weeks. I’m praying he picks it up so I look smart when the season comes to a close. I need it.