Coming into Saturday’s season opener against Utah, many still had questions about [autotag]Anthony Richardson[/autotag] and the legitimacy of his first-round pick potential. He answered those questions emphatically, leading the Gators to an upset win with 274 total yards and three touchdowns.
Richardson is legit, and the Heisman talks have already begun following a big first week in the Swamp. It’s not just Gators fans who see him as one of the nation’s top players, ESPN has Richardson fifth in a weekly ranking of Heisman candidates. Bill Connelly is awarding “F1-style” points for his weekly top 10, and Florida’s quarterback has himself five points right out of the gate.
The four players ahead of Richardson are all quarterbacks. Georgia‘s Stetson Bennett, who threw for 368 yards and two touchdowns against Oregon, is leading the group. Last year’s Heisman winner, Alabama‘s Bryce Young, is third on the list. Oklahoma State’s Spencer Sanders and North Carolina‘s Drake Maye are Nos. 2 and 4 on the list, respectively.
Many considered Young a favorite for the award coming into the season, but Bennett and Richardson’s big performances have three SEC quarterbacks in the conversation. Both saw their odds shoot up after strong openers, according to FTW!.
A Gator who wears the No. 15 taking home the Heisman isn’t something Florida fans have to imagine. It’s happened before, and now Richardson is chasing history.
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