If voting for the Heisman Trophy took place today, how would Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson stack up?

They don’t present the Heisman Trophy at the end of September.

This seems like a good idea considering there are plenty of games left to play. But sports are supposed to be fun, and part of the fun is screening bowl games and other things at any given time.

I’m not waiting to do it until Iowa plays Ohio State on October 5 because, frankly, I don’t see Hawkeye running back Kaleb Johnson posting his fifth straight multi-touchdown game or tying it his rushing average of 171.3 yards per carry. game.

But who can say that? Ohio State faced Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall. The only conclusion to draw from this is that the Buckeyes found a way to play eight home games this year. It’s good to be king.

If 18th-ranked Iowa State keeps winning, Johnson’s 187 rushing yards against the Cyclones in a 20-19 Iowa loss will only get better.

Either way, as of right now, there is no running back more worthy of competing in the September 26 Heisman derby than Johnson. It is second behind Boise State. Ashton Jeanty in rushing yards per game. Jeanty has 195.3, Johnson 171.3.

Jeanty rushed 25 times for 192 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-31 loss to Oregon, so that’s very impressive. He averages 10.5 yards per carry compared to Johnson’s 8.5. He also played in three games to Johnson’s four, and his other two opponents were Georgia Southern and Portland State.

Playing in the Mountain West Conference, Jeanty will not be seen or valued as much as he deserves. It’s a reality. But the numbers he has so far are something.

Now I will mention that only one running back has won the Heisman in the last 15 years.

Which brings us to the top contenders so far, the quarterbacks. (And one other player, who I’ll mention later.) Here are some snapshots:

Cam District, Miami: His team is 4-0 with a big victory in Florida. He has completed 72.4 percent of his passes, has 14 touchdown passes to two interceptions, averages 359.8 yards per game and is second in passing efficiency.

Jaxson Dart, Mississippi: The Rebels are 4-0 but haven’t faced any teams that matter. Nonetheless, Dart is the leader in passing efficiency, averaging 388.5 yards per game and completing 79.8 percent of his throws.

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon: The Ducks are 3-0 and Gabriel’s moment of truth will come Oct. 12 when Oregon hosts Ohio State. He completed 84 percent of his passes, averaged 305 yards per game and had no interceptions.

Kurtis Rourke, Indiana: I’m listing Rourke simply because he’s been fabulous so far for the 4-0 Hoosiers with 1,013 passing yards, eight touchdowns and zero interceptions, 75.5 percent completions and 10.8 yards per attempt. pass. If his team is 10-0 when it visits Ohio State on Nov. 23, you’ll know his name.

No other quarterbacks are coming off the page at the moment, but one or more will.

Then there is Travis Hunter, Colorado receiver and cornerback.

The Buffaloes are 3-1, but they were beaten at Nebraska. We’ll see how they handle the rigors of eight more Big 12 games, starting Saturday at undefeated UCF.

Hunter, nonetheless, has 37 catches for 472 yards and five touchdowns. He forced the game-winning fumble to clinch Colorado’s overtime victory against Baylor last week on his 147th snap of the game. He has one interception this season.

He’s dynamite, and he has a quarterback in Shadeur Sanders who gets him the ball. But can he win the Heisman if Colorado goes, say, 6-6? Maybe. I’m a voter, and if you’re a two-way player who does great things on both sides of the ball, I’m impressed.

As for Johnson, he only enters the national Heisman discussion if he puts up big numbers and leaves a lasting impression at Ohio State next week. The Hawkeyes can’t explode. They have to move the ball and score points.

Akrum Wadley is the only Hawkeyes in the Kirk Ferentz era to rush for 100 yards against Ohio State, in the 2017 game in which it all worked out for Iowa. No Hawkeye has had 100 rushing yards in a game in Columbus since Sedrick Shaw in 1995.

For now, though, Johnson is solidly in the Heisman Top 10. Which, for an Iowa offensive player considering the last few seasons, is sensational.

What if he had played in the first half against Illinois State?

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