The four finalists for the 2023 Heisman Trophy were revealed on Monday night. It’s an impressive quartet of college football players, all of whom seem deserving.
College football awards don’t always mean much to the NFL, however. While most Heisman trophy finalists wind up being prominent NFL draft picks, it’s not a given.
Take 2022 finalist Max Duggan. The TCU quarterback was the runner-up a year ago, but Duggan didn’t hear his name called until the seventh round of the NFL draft. Some recent examples like 2017 runner-up Bryce Love (4th round) and QB finalists Collin Klein (2013, undrafted) and Jordan Lynch (2014, 7th round).
This year’s final four features three players who seem like first-round locks:
It’s the fourth finalist who might not make it into the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has the game to merit first-round looks, but his lengthy injury history and advanced age are real drawbacks to the NFL. Penix suffered two ACL tears and two serious shoulder injuries during his six years of college, spread between Indiana and Washington. He turns 24 the week after the draft, too.
Right now, Penix appears in some first-round projections but falls into the first half of the second round in others. Last year’s winner, USC QB Caleb Williams, is not a finalist in 2023 but still figures to be among the top five picks in the 2024 NFL draft.