WEEK 1 overreactions: dark-horse heisman candidates after week one

The Heisman leaderboard is no secret. Guys like Darien Mensah, Dante Moore, Malachi Toney, and more are leading the way in the Heisman debate, but are bound to have dissapointing performances that put this race in question. If that happens, here are the dark-horse candidates to play themselves into Heisman consideration by the time December rolls around:

Demond Williams Jr., QB, Washington

After a messy offseason for the Huskies and Demond Williams full of transfer portal drama and public feuds with the coaching staff, Washington got off to a 1-0 start after beating rival Washington State 24-10. Williams totaled 268 yards and a touchdown through the air, while also adding 61 yards rushing and a rushing touchdown. The Husky offense lost and looks to replace the production of star skill-position players Jonah Coleman and Denzel Boston from last season and will rely on Williams to do so. If he delivers, Demond is very much a potential Heisman candidate

Devon Dampier, QB, Utah

Dampier appeared in Heisman Trophy conversations last season, early in the year. The quarterback for the Utes finished last season with 2,490 yards through the air, while also adding 835 yards on the ground. He wasn’t needed much in Week 1 vs Idaho, but still managed to throw 3 touchdowns on just 18 passing attempts.

Mason Heintschel, QB, Pittsburgh

The best quarterback stat line from Week 1 was, without a doubt, from the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Panthers. Heintschel threw for 453 yards and 7 touchdowns vs Miami (Ohio), where five Panthers receivers managed to reach 50 yards receiving. Heintschel struggled in big games in his freshman season, most notably vs Notre Dame and Miami, but certainly had his moments.

Bear Bachmeier, QB, BYU

The Cougar quarterback totaled 4 touchdowns in Week 1 vs Utah Tech, along with 228 total yards. He reached the 3,000 yard milestone in year one, also adding over 500 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground. Bachmeier, who is 230 pounds, is a true dual threat and is in store for a massive second-year season. He will be tested on October 17th vs one of the best defenses in the country, when the Cougars host Notre Dame.

Lincoln Kienholz, QB, Louisville

The Ohio State transfer shocked many in a shootout vs Ole Miss on Sunday. He totaled 307 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a 62-yard touchdown to Vanderbilt transfer Tre Richardson and a 54-yard touchdown to Florida State transfer Lawayne McCoy. Kienholz also added 69 yards and a touchdown on the ground. College Football fans didn’t know what to expect from Kienholz, since he was behind Julian Sayin at Ohio State, but this performance vs an SEC opponent means that he is in store for a big season in the inferior ACC.

Kevin Jennings, QB, SMU

The Mustangs quarterback led SMU to a playoff appearance in 2024 and has totaled 7,709 yards through the air and 558 on the ground in his career. In Week 1, SMU narrowly escaped Florida State in a dramatic game that was delayed due to a power outage in the stadium. Despite the unique circumstances, Jennings threw for 430 yards and 3 touchdowns, while also running for 33 yards. On the flip side, he threw two interceptions, but made up for it by leading his team on a game-winning field goal drive, where he threw for 62 yards. SMU has a favorable schedule in which Jennings could rack up Heisman worthy stat lines.