It’s still very early and a lot of names can emerge between now and the end of next season, but given his tremendous freshman year with the Bulldogs, Georgia football tight end Brock Bowers is considered a top-ten Heisman candidate by On3’s Matt Zenitz.
Zenitz ranked his top-ten candidates heading into the spring this week, and Bowers checked in at No. 7 on the list.
As a true freshman, Bowers was easily Georgia’s biggest offensive weapon this past season. He reeled in 56 catches for 882 yards, 13 receiving touchdowns and 1 rushing touchdown en route to being named a member of the Associated Press and Coaches’ All-SEC First Team. His 13 receiving touchdowns are a single season record at UGA. He was also named the SEC Freshman of the Year.
Topping Zenitz’s list is Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, the reigning Heisman winner. Alabama actually placed two players on this list, with outside linebacker Will Anderson, a player I thought was deserving the trophy last season, at No. 5.
Another notable name here is Ole Miss running back Zach Evans, who is at No. 6. Evans, a former Georgia commit, played his freshman year at TCU and will now suit up for the Rebels in the fall. And then there’s Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, who excels in the Volunteers’ fast-paced offense. Zenitz placed Hooker at No. 9, however, with the Heisman being so dependent on team success don’t expect to see Hooker’s name near the top of the leaderboard come December.
Bowers will miss spring practice after having shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum that he played through for the later part of the 2021 season, but is expected to make a full recovery and pick up where he left off in the national championship game. He had to leave the Orange Bowl late after aggravating the shoulder. He still recorded 5 catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. 10 days later, Bowers balled out again on that injured shoulder, this time in the national championship. He had 4 catches for 36 yards and a crucial second half touchdown.
He’s expected to make a full recovery and be back in action for fall camp.
