Heisman Watch: Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, Josh Rosen Highlight Week 1

Neither Jalen Hurts nor Deondre Francois had great games in Atlanta Saturday to kick off the 2017 college football season for two Top 5 teams, but there were some eye-opening performances that may ultimately add players to the Heisman Watch.

Each status below is determined by hype, expectation, not likelihood of winning. As the season progresses, each candidate will move around, out and even into these sections.

The Favorites

Lamar Jackson, QB — Louisville: 30-46-378 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
Saquon Barkley, RB — Penn State: 14-172-2 (80)
Baker Mayfield, QB — Oklahoma: 19-20, 329 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT
Sam Darnold, QB — USC: 23-33, 289 YDS, 0 TD, 2 INT
Derrius Guice, RB — LSU: 27-122 YDS, 2 TD
J.T. Barrett, QB — Ohio State: 20-35-304 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT
Josh Rosen, QB — UCLA: 35-59-491 YDS, 4 TD, 0 INT

[divider]

Strong Candidates

Trace McSorley, QB —  Penn State: 18-25-280 YDS, 2 TD, INT
Mason Rudolph, QB — Oklahoma State: 20-24-303 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT
Deondre Francois, QB — Florida State: 19-33-210 YDS, TD, 2 INT (Out for Season)
Jalen Hurts, QB — Alabama: 10-18-96 YDS, TD, 0 INT
Jake Browning, QB — Washington: 17-30-284 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
Christian Kirk, WR/KR — Texas A&M: 5 REC 60 YDS, 4 RET, 112 YDS (37 Long)
Bo Scarbrough, RB — Alabama: 15-40 YDS

[divider]

Darkhorse Candidates

Trayveon Williams, RB — Texas A&M: 22-203 YDS, 2 TD, (72 Long)
Eric Dungey, QB — Syracuse: 28-36-328 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT
Ronald Jones II, RB — USC: 18-159 YDS, 3 TD, 1 REc 19 YDS
Nick Fitzgerald, QB — Mississippi State: 16-29-239 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT, 7-41 YDS, TD

[divider]

Just Off the Radar … For Now

Drew Lock, QB — Missouri: 21-34-521 YDS, 7 TD, INT
Royce Freeman, RB — Oregon: 23-150 YDS, 4 TD, 4 REC, 50 YDS
Bryce Love, RB — Stanford: 13-180 YDS, TD
Josh Jackson, QB — Virginia Tech: 15-26-235 YDS, TD, 11-101 YDS, TD
J.K. Dobbins, RB — Ohio State: 29-181 YDS, 2 REC 24 YDS
Mark Walton, RB — Miami: 16-148 YDS, 2 TD
Debo Samuel, WR/KR — South Carolina: 97-YD KOR TD, 5-83 YDS, 2 TD (39)
Damien Harris, RB — Alabama: 9-73 YDS, TD

[divider]

Don't Sleep On These Performers

Justin Herbert, QB — Oregon: 17-21-281 YDS, TD
Shane Buechele, QB — Texas: 34-52-375 YDS, 2 TD, INT
Manny Wilkins, QB — Arizona State: 22-27-300 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
Kenny Hill, QB — TCU: 18-23-206 YDS, 4 TD, INT
Luke Falk, QB — Washington State: 33-39-311 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT
Tre Bryant, RB — Nebraska: 31-192 YDS, TD
A.J. Brown, WR — Ole Miss: 8-233 YDS, 2 TD (77 Long)
Simmie Cobbs Jr., WR — Indiana: 11-149 YDS, TD
James Washington, WR — Oklahoma State: 6-145 YDS, 2 TD (77 Long)
Shea Patterson, QB — Ole Miss: 28-35-429 YDS, 4 TD, 0 INT[divider]

*Not simply a rating of Week 1 performance.