SEC Football: Which players should be getting Heisman consideration?

Looking back at recent years, the last three winners of the Heisman Trophy have come from SEC Football, as well as the last two from Alabama alone.

• 2021 – Alabama QB Bryce Young
• 2020 – Alabama WR DeVonta Smith
• 2019 – LSU QB Joe Burrow 

Switching the attention to this year however, there are multiple players from the conference who have positioned themselves to be in consideration for the Heisman across the first nine weeks of the season. Who are those names, and are there any others from the SEC that should be receiving consideration for the Heisman Trophy?

Which SEC Football players should be getting Heisman consideration?

When talking about the SEC players who should be getting Heisman consideration at the moment, that conversation likely starts with Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker, who is the center piece for one of the nation’s top scoring offenses.

Across the Volunteers 7-0 start to the year, Hooker has completed 70.6% of his passes for 2,093 yards with an 18:1 TD:INT ratio, as well as having rushed for 315 yards and three more scores. Hooker also currently leads SEC Football in both completion percentage and passing efficiency rating (190.8), while also ranking top five in the conference in other statistical categories such as passing yards, completions, and touchdowns.

Assuming both Hooker and Tennessee’s strong play continues as well, the senior is likely well on his way to being a Heisman finalist later this year. However, who else from the SEC could potentially join him?

Well, arguably the name with the best argument to be made in that conversation is that of the defending Heisman Trophy winner, Alabama QB Bryce Young.

Even despite having missed a game, Young is currently completing 66.1% of his passes for 1,906 yards with an 18:3 TD:INT ratio, while also having rushed for 137 yards and three more scores. Similar to Hooker previously, Young also currently ranks among the SEC’s leaders in a few statistical categories that also include passing yards, completions, and touchdowns.

Looking ahead, it also seems like Young will make a return trip to New York as a Heisman finalist alongside Hooker, with those two likely being SEC Football’s lone two representatives at the moment. However, could a few others from the conference potentially emerge in the coming weeks as well?