Michigan Football: 3 Heisman hopefuls for the Wolverines

Looking ahead to the 2022 Michigan football season, here are three Heisman Trophy hopefuls for the Wolverines.

The Wolverines haven’t had a Heisman winner since Charles Woodson won the award in 1997 and three Michigan football players total have won the award in the past, Tom Harmon in 1940, Desmond Howard in 1991, and Woodson in 1997.

The Wolverines have had two finalists in the last 10 years — Jabrill Peppers in 2016 and Aidan Hutchinson finishing 2nd this past season.

This season Michigan football has several electric offensive players that I think would have a chance at winning the Heisman, so let’s get into them.

3. Ronnie Bell

Bell will undoubtedly be the Wolverines’ top threat in the passing game, after missing almost all of 2021 with an injury.

Bell is returning for his final season of college football and should make an immediate impact in the Wolverine offense. He’s proven in the past that he is an x-factor for the Wolverines, with his only catch of 2021 being a 76-yard touchdown grab against Western Michigan.

In 2019, on a Michigan football team that had several NFL talent receivers, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Nico Collins, and Tarik Black, Bell was still able to lead the team in receptions and yards.

2. Blake Corum

Blake Corum is undoubtedly a top 5 rusher in college football and maybe the top in his conference. Corum is now the RB1, in an offensive scheme that heavily features the run. Corum is a small, strong back with great receiving upside.

Even with the NFL departure of Hassan Haskins, it is likely still an RB committee for Corum. Donovan Edwards will likely run alongside Corum in the backfield, complimenting him nicely with matched receiving upside.

Corum has proven in the last two seasons to be a threat to gash out large runs, having a run of over 20 yards in 7 of 12 games last season, including 4 over 50 yards

1. J.J. McCarthy

Whether or not McCarthy will start is still up in the air, as Harbaugh has not given an answer yet as to who will become the starting QB.

It is clear, however, that McCarthy is electrifying enough to be a potential candidate for Heisman selection. The Wolverine offense was undoubtedly more exciting with McCarthy at the helm, as he added a dynamic spark to the passing game McNamara was not able to show.

McCarthy last season, only a limited amount of snaps, racked up 500 yards and five touchdowns. Harbaugh has not answered who will be the starting quarterback for the Wolverines but reported that it will be hard for either of them to beat each other out for the starting job.