2019 Heisman Trophy Watch: Week 1

AUSTIN, TX - AUGUST 31: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass in the third quarter against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - AUGUST 31: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass in the third quarter against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
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Multiple prospects put up big numbers in the first weekend of college football. Which one’s thrust themselves to the front of the Heisman conversation?

The first weekend of college football is finally in the books. It’s the weekend when most of the powerhouse programs play smaller schools as a tune-up game at the beginning of the season. This also allows some talented prospects to put up some huge numbers and thrust themselves into the Heisman Trophy conversation. While the Trophy can’t be won in Week 1, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a big game early in the year.

These are the players that put themselves in the conversation for the award after Week 1.

AUSTIN, TX – AUGUST 31: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass in the third quarter against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – AUGUST 31: Sam Ehlinger #11 of the Texas Longhorns throws a pass in the third quarter against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

Honorable Mentions

Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas

28-for-38 (73.7%) for 276 yards with 4 TD and 0 TD

Sam Ehlinger is a very business-like quarterback who just always seems to get the job done. Other than his 4 touchdown passes, none of his stats really make you say “wow.” However, if he can keep playing at a solid level and keep leading Texas to wins, Ehlinger will be right in the middle of the Heisman conversation throughout the year.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

13-for-23 (56.5%) for 168 yards with 1 TD and 2 INT; 3 rushes for 24 yards and 1 TD

Trevor Lawrence unexpectedly struggled on Thursday night versus Georgia Tech. Everything just seemed off as he threw 2 INT and tried to force too many passes into tight coverage. Lawrence is too talented to keep putting up numbers like this. He has an uphill battle to get back atop the Heisman race, but the rest of the season looks stacked in his favor to do just that.

Chubba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma St.

26 rushes for 221 yards (8.5 ypc) and 3 TD

Chubba Hubbard has the unenviable task of replacing Justice Hill in the Oklahoma St. backfield. After Week 1, however, he looks more than up to the task. Hubbard has a good build at 6′ 1″ and 207 pounds with excellent speed as well. He used his speed to torch the Oregon St. defense for big gain after big gain. With the Cowboys breaking in a new true freshman quarterback, Hubbard should get plenty of carries and chances to continue to put up big rushing numbers.

Zack Moss, RB, Utah

29 rushes for 187 yards (6.4 ypc) and 1 TD

Moss’ numbers don’t exactly jump off the screen especially when comparing to the other top rushers from over the weekend. But Moss is a talented, compact, and powerful runner who is the unquestioned feature back for a talented Utah squad with high expectations for 2019. That alone is enough to keep him on the fringe of the Heisman conversation.