Heisman Week 10: King Leads Contender Rankings

**FOX Sports Analyst Robert Griffin III Ranks Georgia Tech’s Haynes King as New Heisman Front-Runner Ahead of Week 10**

**ATLANTA, GA – November 6, 2023** – As the college football season hurtles towards its critical final weeks, the race for the coveted Heisman Memorial Trophy intensifies. Former Heisman winner and current FOX Sports analyst Robert Griffin III has unveiled his updated list of top contenders, sparking discussion across the nation. Topping his current projections for the most outstanding player in college football is a surprising, yet compelling, name: Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King.

King’s ascension to the top spot comes on the heels of a monumental performance in Georgia Tech’s upset victory over then-No. 17 North Carolina on October 28. In that thrilling 31-27 road win, King demonstrated his dual-threat prowess, throwing for 228 yards and a touchdown, while adding 60 rushing yards and another score on the ground. For the season, King has been a revelation for the Yellow Jackets (5-4 overall), accumulating an impressive 21 total touchdowns (16 passing, 5 rushing) against just 5 interceptions, leading a resurgent Georgia Tech offense.

Griffin, who claimed the Heisman himself in 2011 as a quarterback for Baylor, places LSU’s dynamic quarterback Jayden Daniels at number two on his list. Despite LSU’s 42-28 loss to Alabama on November 4 in a highly anticipated SEC showdown, Daniels delivered a performance that underscored his individual brilliance. He threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns while stunningly rushing for a career-high 163 yards and another score. Daniels has been a consistent offensive force for the Tigers (6-3), tallying a remarkable 30 total touchdowns (25 passing, 5 rushing) through Week 10.

At number three, Griffin recognizes the consistent impact of Michigan running back Blake Corum. Corum continued his strong season in No. 2 Michigan’s dominant 41-13 victory over Purdue on November 4. Carrying the ball 10 times for 44 yards, Corum found the end zone twice, showcasing his nose for the goal line. As a linchpin in the undefeated Wolverines’ (9-0) powerful offense, Corum boasts an impressive 16 touchdowns on the year.

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel occupies the fourth spot. After a tough couple of weeks, including a Bedlam rivalry loss to Oklahoma State on November 4 (27-24), Gabriel displayed resilience and significant production. He threw for 332 yards and a touchdown, adding 63 rushing yards and two more scores against the Cowboys. For the season, Gabriel has amassed 28 total touchdowns (20 passing, 8 rushing), leading the Sooners (7-2) through a challenging Big 12 schedule.

Griffin concludes his list with a special, forward-looking mention: Alabama true freshman quarterback Julian Sayin. While not a current contender in the active Heisman race, Griffin is making a bold prediction that Sayin will be among the top Heisman contenders in the not-too-distant future. Sayin, a highly touted 5-star recruit from the 2023 class and the top-ranked quarterback from California, has yet to see significant collegiate action but represents the future of top-tier quarterback play, according to Griffin.

As the regular season winds down, every snap, every touchdown, and every victory will be scrutinized. Voters, comprised of media members and previous Heisman winners, will cast their ballots in early December, with the finalists announced shortly thereafter. The Heisman Memorial Trophy ceremony, celebrating college football’s most outstanding player, is typically held in mid-December in New York City. Griffin’s updated list provides a fascinating look at the evolving landscape of this prestigious award.