Caleb Williams Threw 41 TDs, Still Got Snubbed, And It's the Hard Truth For Our Seahawks
Alright, 12s, it's April and we're all buzzing for kickoff, even if it feels a million miles away from Lumen Field. But seriously, after diving into what happens *after* a Heisman season, I gotta say, the pressure cooker is REAL. Think about Caleb Williams. This dude threw for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns with only five picks in 2023, *plus* he ran for another 11 scores. That’s 41 total TDs in just 12 games! You’d think that’s a highlight reel for days, right? WRONG. He actually finished *outside* the top 10 in Heisman voting that year. Let that sink in. Forty-one touchdowns and he still wasn't even considered a top-tier contender for the biggest individual prize in college football. That’s the kind of insane standard we're talking about, and it's a stark reminder for our guys rocking the green and blue.
The Heisman Hangover Is Real, Even for the GOATs
It's wild how high the bar gets when you've already hit the top. Williams, for example, won the Heisman in 2022. Then in 2023, despite those 41 total scores, his pass efficiency ranking was seventh nationally. Yeah, that was actually *higher* than his Heisman year, when he was fourth, but the perception? Totally different. He even opted out of the bowl game that year. It just shows that even when you're still putting up ridiculous numbers, the expectations are just through the roof. It’s a similar story for Bryce Young. After winning the Heisman in 2021 with 47 TDs in 15 games, his 2022 season saw him throw for 3,328 yards and 32 touchdowns with only five picks in 12 games. The Tide went 11-2, and Young still finished sixth in Heisman voting, behind five other quarterbacks. He also opted out of his bowl. The lesson? Even the best of the best have to fight against the narrative, no matter how good their numbers are.
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"Next Man Up" Means Walking a Tightrope
Now, what about the guys who step in when a legend leaves? That’s where things can get truly wild. Take Josh Hoover at Indiana, who's stepping in for a Heisman winner this year. He's got big shoes to fill, even with his TCU stats of 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns over three of his four seasons starting. Then there's LSU after Joe Burrow's national championship and Heisman year in 2019. Talk about a tough act! The 2020 season was pure chaos with three quarterbacks starting: Myles Brennan, TJ Finley, and Max Johnson. Brennan’s season and career ended three weeks in with an injury after throwing 11 TD passes. Finley started five games, putting up five touchdowns and five interceptions before transferring. Max Johnson, a true freshman, stepped up for the final two games, throwing eight TDs with just one pick, and actually won the job for 2021. This trio combined for a 5-5 record, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. It’s a stark reminder of the instability a team can face when they lose their franchise guy.
Garrett Nussmeier at LSU is another prime example. After Jayden Daniels' 2023 Heisman run, Nussmeier took over in 2024. He was sixth nationally in passing yards per game with 312 and tied for 10th in touchdown passes with 29, but he also got picked off a dozen times during their 9-4 campaign. Then, 2025 was injury-riddled, and had he qualified, he would have been 73rd in pass efficiency. It just goes to show you how quickly things can swing.
What It Means for Our Seahawks
So what's the takeaway for us, 12s, as we look to the new season with Sam Darnold taking the snaps for our Seahawks? It’s simple: every play matters, every game is a test, and the spotlight never dims. Expectations are sky-high for every player on the field, from Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Cooper Kupp, and the pressure on our new starting QB is immense. We’ve got to be ready for the grind and cheer these guys on through every single down. Let's get loud this season, Emerald City, because these numbers remind us that nothing is ever given in this league. It's earned, every single snap. Go Hawks!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.