After 3 years of Heisman Trophy glory, the SEC gave someone else a turn in 2022.

That all but guarantees the conference will have someone take home the honor in 2023 … right? Maybe, maybe not.

What I do know is that the SEC will enter 2023 with some obvious way-too-early candidates. Mind you, this is before we’ve seen a full transfer portal shakeout. Four of the past 6 winners were transfers. Perhaps that continues.

For now, though, these are the SEC’s top Heisman candidates heading into 2023:

Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss RB

Let’s start with the obvious. A guy who had a true freshman season similar to 2014 Nick Chubb is absolutely in this conversation. You’re not supposed to waltz into the SEC and become a first-team all-conference guy from the jump. Judkins did that. Moving forward, we know that he plays in a high-volume rushing attack that’ll have plenty of opportunity. With his vision and ability to break tackles, there’s no denying that he has a path to have a special season. Depending on how he performs in the bowl game, Judkins might have the SEC’s best single-season rushing season since 2018 Trayveon Williams. So much of this is about being a household name. Even though we haven’t seen a running back win the award since Derrick Henry in 2015, a 2,000-yard season would turn heads in a hurry.

Rocket Sanders, Arkansas RB

Sanders was one of the breakout stars of 2022. It didn’t necessarily help his Heisman case that Arkansas was a 6-6 team who was out of SEC West contention by the time he became a household name in the SEC. But with KJ Jefferson back (more on him in a second), Sanders can have a Heisman path in 2023. Remember, this season was really his first getting full-time work as a tailback in high school or college. What’s to say this was his ceiling? We know that he only averaged about 18 carries per game, which would have to increase if he stayed in the Heisman conversation. Like with Judkins, playing in an up-tempo, high-volume rushing attack should give Sanders plenty of opportunities. Those Darren McFadden comps aren’t going anywhere for No. 5.

KJ Jefferson, Arkansas QB

Pending potential transfer portal moves, Jefferson is the top returning QB in the SEC. Period. Don’t believe me? In the past 2 seasons as a starter, Jefferson has:

  • A) Ranked in the top 10 nationally in QB rating each year
  • B) A 43-8 TD-INT ratio
  • C) 1,174 rushing yards and 13 scores
  • D) 12 games with at least 3 total touchdowns
  • E) All the above

It’s “E.” It’s always “E.”

Jefferson might not have the upside of some returning starting quarterbacks, and the aforementioned Sanders could eat into some of his touchdown production. Still, though. If he’s healthy, he can have a 30-10 TD season (30 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns) for an Arkansas team that goes 9-3 with a marquee win. Jefferson’s mobility not only to make people miss in the open field but his scrambling could yield a handful of viral plays. And if you don’t think veteran guys can follow the Heisman narrative, I’d say check out Max Duggan, Hendon Hooker, Stetson Bennett IV and … Bo Nix. Don’t dismiss Jefferson’s chances.

Brock Bowers, Georgia TE

OK, so I don’t necessarily believe that Bowers deserves to start as a national favorite. At all. I mean, Kyle Pitts was the only tight end to finish in the top 10 of the Heisman voting since Ken MacAfee came in 3rd in 1977.

But as we saw with DeVonta Smith in 2020, Heisman voters will look outside the (quarterback) box and reward an especially unique season. If Bowers has some 1,200-yard, 15-touchdown season, he would absolutely have a case for Heisman consideration. Of course, that would be beyond anything he’s done in 2 ridiculously impressive seasons so far. But we know that Todd Monken utilizes the tight end position as well as any offensive coordinator in America. Regardless of how loaded that tight end room is in 2023, a pre-NFL Draft Bowers could be the best version yet.

And an interesting wild card … Conner Weigman

I know, I know. Jimbo Fisher hasn’t had a top-30 passing offense since Jameis Winston left for the NFL. That was also his last all-conference quarterback. How is A&M possibly going to produce a quarterback that’ll warrant Heisman consideration?

Well, it’s simple. Fisher is turning over the offense. At least that’s the expectation with the firing of offensive coordinator Darrell Dickey. If Fisher brings in the right play-caller, look out. Weigman flashed some nice ability as a 5-star true freshman. A&M’s offensive line should improve after so many true freshmen were forced into action. He’s also set to work with the promising pass-catching duo of Moose Muhammad III and Evan Stewart. Don’t sleep on Weigman joining the Heisman conversation with the right play-caller.