We are five weeks through the 2021 College Football season and the Heisman race is still a tight one. Malik Willis is doing everything he can do to stay in the hunt, as the Flames quarterback is having an incredible season. Last week against UAB, Willis threw for 287 yards and 1 touchdown while also rushing for 144 yards and another 2 touchdowns.

On the season, Willis has thrown for 1,105 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for 418 yards and another 6 touchdowns. The Georgia native is responsible for 1,523 yards of total offense and 17 touchdowns thus far in 2021. Willis also owns the best quarterback rating in the nation (91.9) and has yet to throw an interception.   

DraftKings Sports Book updated their 2021 Heisman Odds after Week 5, here’s their top five: 

  1. Bryce Young, QB-Alabama +120
  2. Matt Corral, QB-Mississippi +200
  3. Desmond Ridder, QB-Cincinnati +1200
  4. CJ Stroud, QB-Ohio State +2000
  5. Spencer Rattler, QB-Oklahoma +2500
  1. Malik Willis, QB-Liberty +4000

Bryce Young and Matt Corral went head-to-head last weekend in a battle of the Heisman favorites, and Young and the Crimson Tide dominated. Young threw for 241 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception in Alabama’s dominant victory. Corral had a decent performance, throwing for 213 yards and 1 touchdown which is enough to keep him within striking distance of Young for the top spot.

Ridder had a great week and made the jump to third. In a big win over #9 Notre Dame, Ridder threw for 297 yards and 2 touchdowns while rushing for a third touchdown. Statistically speaking, CJ Stroud had the best week out of the contending quarterbacks. In a win over Rutgers, Stroud threw for 330 yards, 5 touchdowns, and no interceptions. Stroud has thrown for 1,293 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions on the season. These statistics are very impressive especially considering that Stroud did not play in the Buckeyes’ game last week against Akron.

Rounding out the top 5 is Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler. Rattler had a decent performance against Kansas State, throwing for 243 yards, 2 touchdowns, and an interception. While Rattler is still in contention, the Heisman favorite will have to have a major turnaround in order to win the award in 2021. 

Malik’s Heisman odds improved to +4000 this week. As we mentioned last week, team success plays a huge role in determining the winner of this award, so if the Flames lose another game, Willis will likely be eliminated from legitimate contention.

Thankfully for Willis, there isn’t any contender that is separated from the rest. This allows someone from the outside looking in (like Willis) to jump in and potentially win it.  If the Flames can win out and Willis can average over 300 yards of total offense per game and at least three-to-four touchdowns a game, things could get interesting. Stats aside, I’m sure if you asked Malik what he is most concerned with it’s the first factor, Liberty winning out.