When it comes to the Heisman Trophy, Robert Griffin III, also known as RGIII, knows his stuff. After all, he won the award himself in 2011 before going on to have a legendary rookie year in the NFL, setting him up as one of the biggest “What Ifs” in league history, as his career was plagued with injuries.
Now an analyst, RGIII often gives his takes on both college football and the NFL, and he has an idea who might be the closest to winning it after Week 11, posting his Top 6 Heisman front runners rankings after Week 11 on X:
- Jacob Rodriguez LB Texas Tech
- Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana
- Julian Sayin QB Ohio State
- Ty Simpson QB Alabama
- Marcel Reed QB Texas A&M
- Haynes King QB Georgia Tech
Top 6 Heisman Front Runners after week 11
1. Jacob Rodriguez LB Texas Tech
2. Fernando Mendoza QB Indiana
3. Julian Sayin QB Ohio State
4. Ty Simpson QB Alabama
5. Marcel Reed QB Texas A&M
6. Haynes King QB Georgia Tech pic.twitter.com/UgDAYsFoyz— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) November 11, 2025
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez has been one of the most impressive defensive players this year so far, and many found RGIII picking him to top his list over a field of great quarterbacks. However, it should be noted that Rodriguez is only second in tackles in the Big 12, but is already the best in forced fumbles with seven.
Rodriguez has been a defensive juggernaut so far, as he already has 9 1/2 tackles for loss, 5 pass breakups, 3 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries this season.
The other five are all quarterbacks, from Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, who has been having a stellar year, to Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed, who has led his team to be one of the best teams in the country.
Only 2 Defensive Players Have Won The Heisman Trophy So Far, Jacob Rodriguez Could Be Third
While RGIII believes that Jacob Rodriguez has a chance to win the most coveted award on college football, the award is not usually won by defensive players, as it usually goes to quarterbacks or other offensive positions. There had been two exceptions, however.
The first one is Michigan star Charles Woodson in 1997, beating none other than Tennessee legend Peyton Manning for the award. The second one was last year’s winner, Travis Hunter, who also plays on offense as a wide receiver, as well as a kick returner.
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