[jwplayer VsfSdx04]
Editor’s note: This article was originally published by USA TODAY Sports and has been republished in its entirety below.
The coronavirus has messed up just about everything else in 2020, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that it is now having an impact on the Heisman Trophy race. The weekly USA TODAY Network Heisman survey has a new leader after Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence was sidelined with COVID-19. Mac Jones of Alabama grabbed the lead from Lawrence this week, and Ohio State’s Justin Fields is closing fast.
Jones had the Crimson Tide offense humming again in a romp over Mississippi State. He is averaging 366 passing yards a game with 16 total touchdowns and just two picks.
[lawrence-related id=27323,27321]
The voters didn’t forget about Lawrence, who remains in second place and was still mentioned first by several survey participants. But he could only watch from home as his Tigers rallied from an 18-point first-half deficit to get by Boston College, and he’ll remain unavailable for Clemson’s biggest game of the regular season Saturday night at Notre Dame.
Lawrence’s absence could allow Fields to move past him as well next week. In just two outings, the Buckeyes’ signal caller has thrown for 594 yards and six TDs.
Zach Wilson of BYU remains on the radar in fourth with a first-place mention. But Friday night’s game at Boise State might be his last chance to shine with the Cougars’ regular season winding down.
[lawrence-related id=27317,27313,27311,27306,27286]
[vertical-gallery id=27231]