Is Baylor QB Blake Shapen Heisman Worthy?

After showing his potential in a small sample size last fall for the Bears, Blake Shapen could be a Heisman sleeper in 2022

There isn't a quarterback battle in Waco. Blake Shapen won the job outright this spring and will command Baylor's offense in 2022. 

Could that year include a trip to New York with a shot at the Heisman Trophy? Never say never when playing quarterback at a Power 5 program. 

Shapen was listed on ESPN's latest Heisman watch. Unlike years past where writers and analysts come up with favorites, dark horses and sleepers, the list features 25 tiers, each of which features at least one quarterback from every major FBS program. 

Shapen, who split reps with Gerry Bohanon (now at South Florida), was listed in Tier 5, also known as the "So hot right now tier." Others featured in the tier included Texas' Quinn Ewers and Hudson Card, Florida's Anthony Richardson, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart and Washington State's Cameron Ward. 

Dart, Richardson and Shapen all offered glimpses of their potential last season. Dart threw for 391 yards and four TDs filling in for Kedon Slovis against Washington State; Richardson had Florida fans begging for Emory Jones to be benched after a handful of early-season heroics; Shapen helped Baylor win the Big 12 with three TD passes against Oklahoma State filling in for injured Gerry Bohanon. The question facing all three is whether they can produce over the course of a full season. - David M. Hale, ESPN 

Shapen continued to keep Baylor afloat following a hamstring injury suffered by Bohanon late in the season. As a freshman, the Louisiana native started the final two games of the regular season and led Baylor to its first Big 12 title since 2014 with a win over No. 5 Oklahoma State. 

On the biggest stage in Arlington, Shapen delivered once more. He completed a season-high 82.1 percent of his throws for 183 yards and three touchdowns while posting a passer rating of 171.5. For the year, the freshman threw for 596 yards and five touchdowns and didn't commit a turnover. 

“When I think of Blake and just his ability as a thrower to read coverages, to anticipate looks, maybe it's off of fronts," Baylor coach Dave Aranda told FOX 26 in Houston. "That this is the corresponding coverage, maybe it's off personnel or alignments, I think he's talented in that manner." 

When looking at the 131 total listings for quarterbacks expected to compete for the Heisman, Shapen was 21st passer mentioned. The big names such as USC's Caleb Williams, Alabama's Bryce Young and Ohio State's CJ Stroud led the pack, but perhaps in time Shapen joins several other gunslingers with better odds to take home the hardware. 

Those listed above Shapen include Spencer Rattler (South Carolina), Dillon Gabriel (Oklahoma), Aidan O'Connell (Purdue), Greyson McCall (Coastal Carolina), Stetson Bennett IV (Georgia) and Brennan Armstrong (Virginia). 

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