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Derrick Henry’s third 200-yard performance of the season on Saturday was enough to maintain his edge in the Heisman race, but Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield’s outing against previously-unbeaten Baylor and Deshaun Watson’s dazzling day in New York put others on notice that it’s far from over.
Fox Sports analyst Bruce Feldman put Watson and Mayfield behind Henry in his latest Top 5 after Week 11, noting Mayfield’s quick ascension since the Sooners are back in the conference championship and College Football Playoff picture.
Feldman’s Top 5 Heisman candidates
- Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama
- Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
- Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
- Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford
- Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State
Henry’s made the most noise in November of this group, erupting for 200 yards and multiple touchdowns in consecutive weeks against nationally-ranked competition. He’s been the one constant in Alabama’s offense this season and has the most rushing scores (19) in the country.
Watson’s lone marquee game remaining will likely come against North Carolina in the ACC Championship Game, but a standout effort at South Carolina in the regular-season finale on Nov. 28 would likely gain brownie points. He’s one of only two players in this list with a chance at entering bowl season unbeaten.
Stanford’s loss to Oregon likely ends McCaffrey’s chances. Ohio State’s Elliott, who has now rushed for at least 100 yards in 15 straight games after his 181-yard effort against Illinois, has a chance to leap into the Top 3 before conference championship weekend since the meat of the Buckeyes’ schedule comes in the form of Michigan State and Michigan over the next two weeks.
