My BIG Three: Three for the Heisman

First Round Mock’s William Yanish sees three quarterbacks (QB) coming down the stretch for the Heisman Trophy.

Cameron Rising

Here I go for my second year on the Cameron Rising hype-train.

If there isn’t one already, I will start it. Let’s kick this one off quick.

Rising is the QB that defeated USC and last year’s Heisman Trophy winner QB Caleb Williams.

BIG WORDS: In my belief beyond beliefs, I know that Rising and company would have taken it to Georgia and their All-American defense.

With my top pre-draft tight-end (TE) Dalton Kincaid taking a first-round trip to the Buffalo Bills (which I predicted), the likely starting TE will be Brant Kuithe. That is perfectly okay, he’s another player Rising will make a star.

The Yanish Report:

Rising has lethal ball placement and accuracy at all levels. Good overall body-mechanics. Quick, compact release. Clutch. Footwork has decent rhythm. In the world of off-platform throws, he can do that too. Heart the size of the state of Utah. Has plenty of mobility. Even a little bit of shake. Not scared to throw a shoulder into defenders.  

For the Win:

There’s not a whole lot not to like about this Utah gunslinger. This could be the year that puts this team over the top. That’s how a QB like Rising can win the Heisman. Well, that and stomping USC again.

My Question: Can Utah run the table in 2023?

The game film evidence:

Oregon ‘21

Pac 12 Championship vs. Oregon ’21

Arizona State ‘21 

Florida ‘22

UCLA ‘22

Pac-12 Championship vs USC ‘22

John Rhys Plumlee

QB John Rhys Plumlee, University of Central Florida (UCF) comes in at an even 6-foot-0 and a cheeseburger under 200 pounds.

Plumlee is a two-sport athlete, who also plays outfield for the Knight’s baseball team. He was previously a wide receiver (WR)/QB at Ole Miss.

The reason for bolting with his 4.3 (40-yard-dash) speed had been fueled by his desire to start at QB again.

Plumlee took a chance and it paid off.

The Yanish Report:

Next level off-platform throws. One helluva live arm. Accuracy and ball-placement doesn’t suffer much even when feet are not set. Need to see more deep throws for proper assessment. Adequate arm-strength, good zip when needed. Footwork flows with rhythm and timing. Bait’s defenders extremely well when selling play-action and run-pass option (RPO). Shows extreme football IQ. FAST. Needs more shake and bake during cuts. Blows the doors off defenders. Uber athletic.

BIG WORDS: For Plumlee’s second year, I really can’t wait to see the work that he has put in.

I have literally watched every scrap of film that I could find about him. He’s as tough-as-nails and he played through a bad hamstring last year.

My question:

With UCF joining the Big-12 in July of this year, can Plumlee step up with the level of competition?

The game film evidence:

Florida Athletic ’22

Cincinnati ’22

SMU ’22

Memphis ’22

Tulane ’22

Tulane ’22 (ACC Championship)

Spencer Rattler

This next kid is as polarizing a player as there is in college football.

No matter your opinion, he is one of the best pure passers in the Heisman conversation.

South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler is one of my favorite QBs, not only in this article, but in the entire class. To watch him spin the pigskin is heaven.

From his transfer out of Oklahoma, to his rise in the finale last season, he is as underrated as they come.

BIG WORDS: Rattler is the most Mahomes like QB since, well… Mahomes.

If you don’t believe me, just watch the film.

The Yanish Report:

Polished passer with great touch. Rarely doesn’t set and plant while throwing. Superb touch when dropping dimes. Tunnel-vision tendencies, causing batted balls and INTs. Clutch. Misfires occasionally. Mid to deep passes can be beautiful. Quick, compact release. Just enough mobility. Dances around the pocket. Sometimes he holds onto the ball too long. Takes unnecessary sacks.

For the win:

Rattler is a helluva competitor. The momentum he left with last season is key. He needs to make his next move in his evolution.

My question:

Can his hair catch fire by winning the Heisman and take over the country as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?

The game film evidence: (#7 for Oklahoma in 2021, #7 for South Carolina in 2022)

Texas ‘21

Nebraska ‘21

Arkansas ‘22 

Georgia ’22

Clemson ’22

Kentucky ’22      

William Yanish III is a life long football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.