If Heisman Trophy voting were to take place today, how would Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson fare?

They don’t award the Heisman Trophy at the end of September.

This seems like a good idea considering there are still a lot of games left to play. But sports are supposed to be fun, and part of the fun is projecting bowl matches and other things far into the future.

I’m not waiting until Iowa plays Ohio State on October 5th, because honestly, I can’t imagine Hawkeye running back Kaleb Johnson having his fifth straight multi-touchdown game or his 171.3 rushing average Yards reached per game.

But who’s to say? Ohio State has played Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall. The only conclusion from this is that the Buckeyes have found a way to play eight home games this year. It’s good to be king.

If No. 18 Iowa State keeps winning, Johnson’s 187 rushing yards against the Cyclones in a 20-19 loss at Iowa will look all the better.

Either way, right now there is no running back more worthy of being in the Heisman Derby on September 26th than Johnson. He’s second only to Boise State Ashton Jeanty in rushing yards per game. Jeanty has 195.3, Johnson 171.3.

Jeanty ran 25 times for 192 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-31 loss at Oregon, so that’s very impressive. He averages 10.5 yards per carry to Johnson’s 8.5. He also played three games, Johnson played four, and his other two opponents were Georgia Southern and Portland State.

Because he plays in the Mountain West Conference, Jeanty isn’t seen or appreciated as much as he perhaps deserves. That’s a fact of life. But the numbers he has so far are something.

Now I want to mention that only one running back has won the Heisman in the last 15 years.

That brings us to the top contenders so far: the quarterbacks. (And another player I’ll mention later.) Here are snapshots:

Cam Ward, Miami: His team is 4-0 with a big win in Florida. He has completed 72.4 percent of his passes, has 14 touchdown passes to two interceptions, is averaging 359.8 yards per game and is second in pass efficiency.

Jaxson Dart, Mississippi: The Rebels are 4-0 but haven’t faced any teams of significance. Nonetheless, Dart is the all-time leader in pass efficiency, averaging 388.5 yards per game and completing 79.8 percent of his throws.

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon: The Ducks are 3-0 and Gabriel’s moment of truth comes on October 12th when Oregon plays Ohio State. He has completed a ridiculous 84 percent of his passes, is averaging 305 yards per game and hasn’t been picked off.

Kurtis Rourke, Indiana: I’m only listing Rourke because he’s been fabulous so far for the 4-0 Hoosiers with 1,013 passing yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions, 75.5 percent completions and 10.8 yards per pass attempt. When his team goes 10-0 against Ohio State on Nov. 23, you’ll know his name.

No other quarterback is jumping off the side right now, but one or more will.

Then there is Travis Hunter, Colorado wide receiver and cornerback.

The Buffaloes are 3-1 but were beaten at Nebraska. We’ll see how they handle the rigors of eight more Big 12 games, starting Saturday at undefeated UCF.

Still, Hunter has 37 catches for 472 yards and five touchdowns. Last week, he forced the game-winning fumble on his 147th snap of the game to secure Colorado’s overtime win over Baylor. He has one interception this season.

He’s dynamite and has a quarterback in Shadeur Sanders to give him the ball. But can he win the Heisman if, say, Colorado goes 6-6? Perhaps. I’m a voter, and when you’re a two-way player who does great things on both sides of the ball, I’m impressed.

As for Johnson, he will only enter the national Heisman discussion if he puts up big numbers and makes a lasting impression at Ohio State next week. The Hawkeyes can’t be kicked out. You have to move the ball and score points.

Akrum Wadley is the only Hawkeyes in the Kirk Ferentz era to rush for 100 yards against Ohio State in the 2017 game where everything clicked for Iowa. No Hawkeye has reached 100 rushing yards in a game in Columbus since Sedrick Shaw in 1995.

At the moment, however, Johnson is firmly in the Heisman top 10. Which is sensational for an Iowa offensive lineman considering recent seasons.

What if he had played in the first half against Illinois State?

Comments: [email protected]