The Athletic’s 2023 Heisman Draft: Key Candidates and Selections
The Athletic’s Heisman draft has returned, featuring a new group of challengers as they project this year’s most outstanding player. With all four finalists from 2023 entering the NFL as top-12 draft picks, the field for this year appears wide open. Are we set to see a leading player from a traditional powerhouse take home the trophy, or will a breakout star unexpectedly rise to prominence? The draft process remains unchanged: writers participated in a randomized snake draft order over four rounds to select this season’s Heisman contenders. In December, the writer whose selections accumulate the most points will earn bragging rights for the next year.
Scoring System for the Heisman Draft
Our scoring breakdown is as follows:
- Heisman Trophy Winner: 15 points
- Second Place: 9 points
- Third Place: 8 points
- Fourth Place: 7 points
- Fifth Place: 6 points
- Sixth Place: 5 points
- Seventh Place: 4 points
- Eighth Place: 3 points
- Ninth Place: 2 points
- Tenth Place: 1 point
- Invited to New York City: +5 bonus
- Midseason Heisman Leader: +5 bonus
The randomized draft order was as follows: 1. Justin Williams; 2. David Ubben; 3. Seth Emerson; 4. Stewart Mandel; 5. Sam Khan Jr.; 6. Scott Dochterman; 7. Chris Vannini; 8. Manny Navarro; 9. Bruce Feldman.
First Round of Selections
| Writer | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 | Round 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams | Carson Beck | Jackson Arnold | DJ Uiagalelei | Ashton Jeanty |
| Ubben | Dillon Gabriel | Garrett Nussmeier | Miller Moss | Kaidon Salter |
| Emerson | Luther Burden | Emeka Egbuka | Brady Cook | James Pearce |
| Mandel | Jalen Milroe | Shedeur Sanders | TreVeyon Henderson | Tez Johnson |
| Khan | Quinn Ewers | Ollie Gordon | Conner Weigman | Donovan Edwards |
| Dochterman | Nico Iamaleava | Quinshon Judkins | Cam Rising | Abdul Carter |
| Vannini | Travis Hunter | Avery Johnson | Jalon Daniels | Byron Brown |
| Navarro | Riley Leonard | Will Howard | Noah Fifita | Kyron Drones |
| Feldman | Jaxson Dart | Cam Ward | Jeremiah Smith | Dylan Raiola |
Highlighted Picks and Analysis
Round 1, Pick 1: QB Carson Beck, Georgia
Beck is the safest choice, returning as the starter for the preseason No. 1 team and leading college football in total passing yards (3,941) with a record completion percentage of 72.4% in 2023. He’s projected to have a stellar season with a talented supporting cast, positioning him well for Heisman contention.
Round 1, Pick 2: QB Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma
With offensive coordinator Will Stein enhancing Gabriel’s capabilities, he has a strong chance to replicate or exceed his previous achievements, supported by elite receivers.
Round 1, Pick 3: WR Luther Burden, Missouri
A standout at Missouri, Burden put up impressive stats last season and is expected to improve even further, making him a formidable candidate.
Round 1, Pick 4: QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama
After a rough start to last season, Milroe is anticipated to thrive in his second year as a starter under new coaching, positioning him for potential playoff appearances.
Round 1, Pick 5: QB Quinn Ewers, Texas
Ewers is seen as a pivotal player for Texas, where his performance could lead to Heisman eligibility if he can elevate the team’s success in the SEC.
Conclusion
This year’s Heisman draft showcases a diverse array of talent across several top programs, with each writer eyeing potential standout performances as the season unfolds. The showdown for college football’s most prestigious award is set to be as exciting as ever, with emerging stars and seasoned players vying for recognition.
Source and credits: www.nytimes.com
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