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RGIII’s latest Top 5 Heisman Candidate List is one Shedeur Sanders of Jackson State. After his first five games of the season, Sanders has eye-popping numbers in QB efficiency, yards, and total touchdowns. When you stack Shedeur’s numbers against the other individuals on Mr. Griffin’s list; Hendon Hooker (Tennessee), CJ Stroud (Ohio State), Max Duggan (TCU), and Caleb Williams (USC), he stacks up quite well. Sanders’ completion percentage of 72.6 % would put him above everyone on the list besides Max Duggan. His 17 passing TDs to only two interceptions would also give him one of the best TD-to-interception ratios in the country. However, he had a horrible pick in last week’s game against Alabama State on an overthrow. In 1977, Grambling State QB Doug Williams was 4th in Heisman voting, finishing as a Heisman finalist. More recently, the late Steve McNair of Alcorn State finished 3rd in Heisman voting in 1994. So it wouldn’t be our 1st time an HBCU was in the running for the Heisman.
Some would argue that if Sanders is being considered for the Heisman other FCS stars, like, Tim Morant of Fordham or Lindsey Scott of UIW, should also be considered. Both have more passing yards, 2,652 and 2,179, and more passing touchdowns (30 and 27, respectively) than Sanders. Well, he has played one less game than both players, and yeah, this is where you have to admit the publicity helps a ton. Being Deion Sanders’ son, being on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and signing a NIL with Tom Brady, do bring much more media attention than you get at Fordham. However, the associations alone aren’t enough to give you this type of recognition. What keeps the eyes of the nation glued to the Shedeur? What has the HBCU media buzzing about his sophomore jump? What’s got Coach Robinson pausing his rant about Coach Sanders to praise Shedeur? The talent, the victories, and the sustained success! If he keeps this up, you will see many more media pundits and former college football legends singing the praises of young Mr. Sanders.
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