Hello Heisman? Desmond Howard Would Put Stock Into BYU’s Zach Wilson

PROVO, Utah – BYU quarterback Zach Wilson is soaring in the Heisman conversation this season. The junior has torn it up for BYU this season, leading the Cougars to their first 5-0 start since 2008.

But is all of this talk currently hype? Or does Wilson have a legitimate shot at making a run at college football’s biggest prize?

One of the iconic Heisman Trophy winners during his days at Michigan, Desmond Howard, is a believer in the BYU gunslinger.

Howard joined ESPN’s Kevin Negandhi and fellow Heisman winner Andre Ware for a Heisman Preview Show on ESPN. Negandhi asked Howard, “if you had the chance to buy a stock right now on a quarterback to win the Heisman, who would it be?”

Zach Wilson gives hugs to his parents Mike and Lisa who made the trip tp Houston. #BYUvsHOU #BYU #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/6LNmxdZAED

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 17, 2020

“It would be Zach Wilson. I love what I saw from this young man so far this season,” replied Howard. “I tell you what, last weekend I was in my hotel room in Tuscaloosa and I’m listening to Andre Ware call the Houston Cougars versus the BYU Cougars and hear him talk about Wilson so glowingly and pointing out the little things that Wilson does so well, made me pay attention to this young man.”

Howard continued, “I think he’s gritty. He’s a big-time quarterback, and I think he’s a gamer. I believe when the lights are brightest, that’s when he will play his best football. He’s another guy that his teammates just gravitate towards him. Watch after a big play when they’re on the sidelines how his teammates walk up to him and how they enjoy him; he’s such a tremendous competitor. He’s a guy I’d definitely buy his stock right now.”

There’s stiff competition in this year’s Heisman race. Especially at the top with Clemson junior Trevor Lawrence considered being the odds on favorite to win the award. Lawrence and Clemson, like BYU, are 5-0 to start the 2020 season.

On this day in 1991, Desmond Howard struck a pose … and went on to win the Heisman trophy. pic.twitter.com/I4q8EUg47H

— ESPN (@espn) November 23, 2017

But if the man who made striking the Heisman pose a thing, who are we to argue with that? Through five games this season, Wilson has passed for 1,641 yards, 12 interceptions, and only one interception. Along with passing the football, Wilson can run if needed. He’s scored six rushing touchdowns at the midway point of BYU’s schedule.

Wilson is currently completing 78.7 percent of his passes, which is on pace to be the highest single-season pass completion rate in college football history.

“I would say, Des, he’s a poor man’s Aaron Rodgers in a college uniform right now,” said ESPN’s Andre Ware. “The way that he can change arm angles, the way he moves, he can flip his hips going to his left and still throw a dime, fun, fun, player to watch.”

Wilson and the No. 12 ranked BYU Cougars are in action again on Saturday when they host 1-5 Texas State in Provo. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. (MT) and will be televised on ESPN and heard on your legacy home of the BYU Cougars, KSL NewsRadio.

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m., KSL Newsradio). Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.