Liberty quarterback Malik Willis made his debut on USA Today’s Heisman Watch list a week ago with one vote and ranked 9th. This week, Willis is tied for 6th on the same ranking.
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones has a narrow edge on Florida quarterback Kyle Trask in this week’s USA Today Heisman Watch standings. Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields and Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence follow behind, as does BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. Alabama running back Najee Harris and Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore are tied with Malik Willis for 6th on their weekly ranking.
Willis continues to put impressive numbers for No. 21 Liberty. On the season, he’s completed 67.8% of his passes for 1,645 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 1 interception. He also leads the Flames with 700 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns.
He’s currently No. 12 on ESPN’s rating of total QBR for all quarterbacks with a 84.3 rating. In Liberty’s game against Western Carolina this past Saturday, his 97.8 QBR was the best in the country. He leads all quarterbacks in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns and is 7th nationally in total yards per game, regardless of position. Willis also ranks No. 8 nationally in total offense and is in the top 25 nationally in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completion percentage.
He is just the 5th player to have 15 or more passing touchdowns, 9 or more rushing touchdowns, and 700 or more rushing yards through the team’s first eight games since 2000. On that list he joins Johnny Manziel (2012), Dak Prescott (2014), Lamar Jackson (2016, 2017), and Jalen Hurts (2019), who have also accomplished the feat.
“Malik’s just playing within the system, making the right read,” Liberty head coach Hugh Freeze said. “He’s reading the progression pretty well and throwing catchable, accurate balls.”
The Heisman will be presented at a virtual ceremony from the ESPN campus on Jan. 5, and the finalists will be announced on Dec. 24.
