Welcome to the first edition of JB’s Heisman Room, where we will take a weekly look at the players who are making a legitimate run at college football’s most prestigious individual award.
Let me make one thing clear from the beginning: this is not an odds board.
I don’t give a damn where a player was ranked in the preseason or how much hype ESPN has built around him. Nobody gets a permanent seat in this room because of his name, recruiting ranking or betting odds.
You earn your way in with what you do on the football field.
After the opening weekend, one player didn’t merely enter the room. He kicked the damn door off its hinges.
The Best Seat in the Room: Darian Mensah, Miami
Mensah delivered the most impressive performance of the weekend.
He completed 26 of 29 passes for 396 yards and five touchdowns—and Miami took him out of the game with two minutes remaining in the third quarter.
That is ridiculous.
Mensah was accurate, decisive and completely in command of the offense. He didn’t just pile up numbers. He made playing quarterback look easy.
If Miami can develop enough of a running game to keep defenses honest, the Hurricanes could compete for a national championship.
It is only one game, but Mensah owns the best seat in the Heisman Room right now, and it isn’t particularly close.
Malachi Toney, WR, Miami
Yes, I am putting a wide receiver in the room.
Toney caught 13 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He looked absolutely lethal every time the ball came his way.
Quarterbacks have dominated this award, but I’m not limiting the Heisman Room to quarterbacks. If you are one of the best players in college football, you deserve to be considered.
If Toney continues producing performances like this, he will not only be one of the favorites for the Biletnikoff Award. He will deserve serious Heisman consideration.
Arch Manning, QB, Texas
Arch Manning finally gave us a performance that matched some of the hype.
He completed 20 of 27 passes for 305 yards and four touchdowns. He threw one interception, but overall, this was probably the most comfortable and confident I have seen him look.
I was never going to put Manning in the Heisman conversation because of his last name or because the national media desperately wants him there. He had to earn his way into the room.
Saturday was a damn good start.
Now he has to prove he can do it consistently and against better competition.
Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia
Stockton was nearly perfect.
He completed 15 of 16 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns as Georgia completely dismantled Tennessee State.
Yes, Georgia was supposed to dominate that game. But Stockton did exactly what an elite quarterback is supposed to do against an overmatched opponent. He took control, executed the offense and helped put the game away early.
Stockton has the talent, the supporting cast and the opportunity to remain in this conversation all season.
I have been telling people not to sleep on him.
John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
Mateer completed 11 of 17 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns before his day was finished.
He looked smooth, confident and in complete command of the Oklahoma offense. He didn’t put up 400 yards because he didn’t have to.
Mateer entered the season as one of my sleepers, and nothing I saw changed my mind. He has officially earned a seat in the room.
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina
Sellers completed 19 of 23 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns while leading South Carolina to 653 yards of total offense.
Those are excellent numbers.
However, I also saw several underthrown deep balls that will have to be corrected. Sellers has a physical package that very few quarterbacks in America can match, but the Heisman isn’t awarded for looking the part.
It takes consistent execution against quality competition.
Sellers has earned a seat in the room, but he still has work to do.
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon
Moore threw for 378 yards as Oregon survived Boise State, but this was one of those games where the numbers looked better than the actual performance.
Boise State gave Oregon everything it could handle and nearly beat its ass. Moore made some plays, but he did not look like the leading Heisman candidate many people expected him to be.
His talent and production keep him in the room, but I’m moving his chair toward the back wall for now.
Outside Looking In
CJ Carr and Trinidad Chambliss entered the season with plenty of Heisman attention, but neither has earned a seat in the room yet.
Right now, they are outside looking in.
The Early Verdict
If the Heisman Trophy were awarded after opening weekend, Darian Mensah would get my vote.
But this race is just beginning.
One great Saturday can earn you a seat in the room. One bad Saturday can send your ass right back out the door.
Every week, we are going to open the doors, review the performances and rearrange the furniture.
Welcome to JB’s Heisman Room.
