List of preseason Heisman favorites littered with USC quarterback connections
USC’s history of quarterback excellence is rich and robust.
Can Caleb Williams be the next to etch his name in Trojan lore? He’s one of the early favorites to win the 2022 Heisman after a standout freshman campaign. And, as Yahoo Sports’ college football Twitter account pointed out Wednesday morning, he’s not the only quarterback with USC ties to be an early favorite to win the award.
Among the top 13 preseason favorites to claim the trophy, a third are current or former USC quarterbacks. Williams (+600, third-best) is joined by JT Daniels, Kedon Slovis, and Jaxson Dart (all +2500).
This has gotta be a first. Four current or former USC quarterbacks are among the top 12 favorites to win the 2022 Heisman Trophy. pic.twitter.com/yiogENV9Eu
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) July 27, 2022
Slovis and Dart split time together last season. They exited the program once Lincoln Riley took over as USC’s new head coach, with Slovis landing at Pitt and Dart landing at Ole Miss. Daniels, after spending two seasons at Georgia, transferred to West Virginia this offseason to re-up with former USC offensive coordinator Graham Harrell.
The SC ties don’t stop there, though.
Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman winner and Alabama quarterback, was a one-time USC commit.
He, Ohio State’s CJ Stroud, and Clemson’s DJ Uiagalelei are all Southern California natives. Young played his high school ball at Mater Dei, Stroud at Rancho Cucamonga, and Uiagalelei at St. John Bosco.
Assuming Riley can turn things around at USC, a strong Trojan football program moving to the Big Ten should have absolutely zero issues recruiting and producing elite quarterback talent.