It’s been a roller coaster of a season for the Heisman Trophy race, and Michael Penix Jr. has been one of the biggest casualties. After a strong start to the season, the Indiana quarterback’s candidacy has taken a hit as Caleb Williams’ candidacy has collapsed.
Penix Jr. was one of the early favorites for the Heisman Trophy after leading Indiana to a 5-1 start. He had thrown for 1,541 yards and 13 touchdowns with only three interceptions in the first six games. Penix Jr. was also a threat on the ground, rushing for another three touchdowns.
However, Penix Jr.’s candidacy has taken a hit in recent weeks as Indiana has gone 1-3 in their last four games. Penix Jr. has thrown for just 543 yards and two touchdowns in those four games, with four interceptions. His completion percentage has also dropped from 68.9 percent to 57.6 percent in that span.
Meanwhile, Caleb Williams’ candidacy has completely collapsed. After being one of the early favorites for the Heisman Trophy, Williams has seen his stock drop dramatically in recent weeks. The Oklahoma quarterback has thrown for just 811 yards and three touchdowns in his last five games, with three interceptions. His completion percentage has also dropped from 68.6 percent to 58.1 percent in that span.
With Penix Jr.’s candidacy taking a hit and Williams’ candidacy collapsing, the Heisman Trophy race is wide open once again. It’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top at this point, but it’s clear that Penix Jr. and Williams are no longer in the running.
