B/R's 2022 Heisman Trophy Rankings: Trimming the Contender List in Week 7

History tells us a midseason rise in the Heisman Trophy race is not impossible. But if any player is going to make a charge for the 2022 Heisman, that ascent needs to happen soon.

The good news is the race to catch Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is still rather deep. Tennesee quarterback Hendon Hooker and Michigan running back Blake Corum have a shot at a marquee performance against a Top 10 opponent in Week 7, too. It's an ideal opportunity for a "Heisman moment" from them.

However, the field has started to consistently drop a few names previously on the radar. Injuries are becoming a problem. Teams are losing a second or third game, which is historically a danger zone as well.

The Heisman race still isn't close to decided. But the list of true contenders for the award is beginning to narrow.

Chase Brown, RB, Illinois: Illinois is 5-1, and Brown leads the nation with 879 rushing yards. Even if you aren't buying the Illini, they—and, by extension, Brown—cannot be ignored. He's been listed since Week 3 and will remain on the radar as long as Illinois doesn't lose another game.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan: Last week, we wondered about the viability of McCarthy's contention relative to his production. He indirectly answered the question with a career-high 304 passing yards and three touchdowns in a victory at Indiana. Like his teammate, Corum, McCarthy has a big opportunity with 10th-ranked Penn State coming to town in Week 7.

Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr., WRs, Ohio State: As always, the caveat of "probably not catching a quarterback teammate" applies here. But at this rate, one of OSU's receivers will probably land meaningful votes. Egbuka has 35 catches for 655 yards and six touchdowns, while Harrison has 31 catches for 536 yards and nine touchdowns.

Israel Abanikanda, RB, Pitt: Pitt's two losses are an obstacle, but Abanikanda leads all FBS players with 13 touchdowns. He's a high-volume back who should be facing a favorable schedule the rest of the way. Although he's unlikely to actually win the Heisman, Abanikanda has top-10 potential.

Cameron Rising, QB, Utah: Despite the opening loss to Florida, he remained on the second tier of the rankings. That has to change after Utah's letdown at UCLA even though Rising accounted for 346 yards and two scores. He's at risk of becoming an afterthought in the Heisman race unless Utah topples USC this weekend.

More to Know: Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall, Ohio State RB Miyan Williams, Penn State QB Sean Clifford, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr.

Jalon Daniels, QB, Kansas: Unfortunately, the breakout quarterback of 2022 exited Kansas' loss to TCU with a shoulder injury. Daniels might not be able to return immediately, which is naturally a concern for his Heisman resume.

Adrian Martinez, QB, Kansas State: Consider us late adopters for Martinez. who burst onto the radar with his 382 yards and five touchdowns in the win at Oklahoma. However, it's reasonable to balance that night against a loss to Tulane and consider that Martinez is a run-focused quarterback who's averaging only 6.5 yards per pass attempt. After an idle weekend, K-State takes on TCU, Oklahoma State, Texas and Baylor. We'll know whether he's a legitimate Heisman contender soon.

Max Duggan, QB, TCU: The first half at Kansas was disappointing, but Duggan responded with a brilliant second half to pile up 363 yards and four touchdowns in a wild 38-31 win. TCU hosts Oklahoma State and Kansas State over the next two weekends, which will give Duggan a chance to further cement his Heisman case.

Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas: Good thing we never dropped him, right? Robinson has surpassed 100 scrimmage yards in all six games, ranking fourth nationally with 846 yards and scoring 11 times. Two early losses put Robinson at a disadvantage in the Heisman race, but a torrid finish to the season for the Longhorns could catapult Robinson back into the conversation.

More to Know: Alabama Edge Will Anderson Jr., Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei, Georgia QB Stetson Bennett, North Carolina QB Drake Maye, Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman

Blake Corum, RB, Michigan: Corum has scampered for 735 yards, the third-highest mark in the FBS. He's scored in all six games for unbeaten Michigan, trailing only Israel Abanikanda (13) with 11 total touchdowns.

Will Rogers, QB, Mississippi State: Rogers has masterfully led the Air Raid attack this season, leading the nation with 2,110 passing yards. He also has 22 touchdowns with three interceptions in 282 attempts. Mississippi State travels to Kentucky and Alabama over the next two weekends.

Spencer Sanders, QB, Oklahoma State: Following a valuable win at Baylor, Sanders totaled 353 yards and three touchdowns in a victory over Texas Tech. He's accounted for 1,635 yards and 18 scores this season, and OSU is still undefeated. Four straight ranked teams—TCU, Texas, K-State and Kansas—are next for Sanders and the Pokes.

Bo Nix, QB, Oregon: What a turnaround for Nix. That embarrassing loss to Georgia is safely in the past. Not only does he rank 10th nationally with 1,857 yards of total offense, but Nix has also accounted for 20 touchdowns while Oregon has put together a five-game winning streak.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, UCLA: Given the favorable early schedule, DTR had plenty to prove in Pac-12 play. So far, very good. Thompson-Robinson put up 368 yards and four touchdowns in win over Washington and notched 307 yards with five scores against Utah.

4. Caleb Williams, QB, USC: The positive note is USC's 6-0 record, but Williams could use a performance-based jolt. He's had frustrating games in recent wins against Oregon State and Washington State. There's a reasonable belief he should be on the second tier right now, but there's little sensing rushing the judgment with a trip to Utah up next.

3. Bryce Young, QB, Alabama: You can make an argument for Young over his Tennessee counterpart. Hopefully, they can settle it this weekend in Knoxville. Young, who has totaled 1,356 yards and 17 touchdowns despite missing about one-and-a-half games, is aiming to return from a shoulder injury that sidelined him against Texas A&M.

2. Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee: Consistency is key, right? Hooker has tossed two touchdown in all five contests this season and has added three rushing scores. He's amassed 1,663 offensive yards for the 5-0 Vols, who host Alabama in a battle of Top 10 teams on Saturday.

1. C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State: No team in the nation is more ready for Stroud to leave college than Michigan State. His only carry of the 2020 season as a backup quarterback was a 48-yard touchdown at MSU. He threw for 432 yards and six touchdowns in the 2021 matchup and went for 361 yards and six scores against the Spartans in Week 6. Stroud is the FBS leader with 24 touchdown passes.