Is it too early to talk about Ohio State’s offensive stars and the Heisman? Of course not! Despite being one of the nation’s premier programs (and probably having the best current odds at a CFP spot of any program), the Buckeyes haven’t had a Heisman winner since Troy Smith in 2006. We’ll take a look at the team’s top performers and assess where their potential Heisman candidacies stand.

CJ Stroud

Week 1 stats: 13-for-22, 294 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT

On pace for (15 game season total): 4,410 passing yards, 60 TDs

Troy Smith’s 2006 Week 1: 18-for-25, 297 yards, 3 TDs

Current odds: around 12-1

Outlook: Stroud emerged from Week 1 looking the best of any of the OSU candidates, at least in the betting market. His Heisman odds are generally around 5th or 6th best in the country. His opening week is very similar to what Smith did in his 2006 Heisman season. The bad news —  whether it gets admitted or not — the Heisman is something of a lifetime achievement award. This isn’t to say that a freshman can’t win it (Johnny Manziel, 2012), but that it isn’t common (only Manziel).

Chris Olave

Week 1 stats: 4 receptions, 117 yards, 2 TDs

Sports Betting in Big Ten Country

Ohio sports betting apps are officially launching on January 1, 2023.

Pre-registration is now available at FanDuel Ohio for an extra $100 bonus. Go pre-register now.

21+ and present in OH. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

On pace for: 60 receptions, 1,755 yards, 30 TDs

DeVonta Smith’s 2020 Week 1: 8 receptions, 89 yards

Current odds: around 80-1

Outlook: Olave had a big game in Week 1, and his stats would track out to the kind of numbers that could earn a wide receiver the Heisman Trophy. Of course, the reason that he’s so far down the odds list from Stroud is that he’ll split the receptions with Garrett Wilson and others. Smith was head and shoulders the best receiver on the best team in 2020 — that’s why he won. Olave doesn’t have that luxury.

Garrett Wilson

Week 1 stats: 5 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD

On pace for: 75 receptions, 1,200 yards, 15 TDs

Current odds: also around 80-1

Outlook: Wilson did what he does — made bit catches, moved the chains, helped OSU win. Olave is a little flashier, and seems a little more likely to have the sort of Heisman moment that can vault a candidate into competition. But again, as with his fellow receiver above, for Heisman purposes, they’d be better off as a super receiver combining the totals of both. Chris Wilson — 9 catches, 197 yards, 3 TDs. Now we’d be talking.

Miyan Williams/TreVeyon Henderson

Week 1 stats: Williams had 9 carries for 125 yards, 1 TD, Henderson had 2 carries for 15 yards, and 1 reception for 70 yards and a TD

On pace for: 1,875 rushing yards and 15 TDs for Williams/1,275 all-purpose yards and 15 TDs for Henderson

Current odds: Henderson listed around 66-1 or 70-1, Williams generally not listed

Derrick Henry’s 2015 Week 1: 13 carries, 147 yards, 3 TDs, 2 receptions for 12 yards

Outlook: Williams was overlooked entering the season and still is. Master Teague showed up on more odds lists that I could find than Williams did. Henderson was electric, but 3 touches in a game doesn’t create much of an opportunity to pile up stats. Not unlike the receivers, Williams, Henderson, and even Teague would have much better chances in a situation in which any one was the featured back and the other two were on the bench. As time passes, Henderson does figure to see the field more — but it’ll be hard to not play Williams as well. Henry was the point of comparison because he was the last back to win the Heisman … and it does have to be comforting for these guys to see that he only had 13 carries in the first game of his Heisman season.