Tanner Morgan Getting Love as a Top-3 Heisman Trophy Candidate… But Vegas Not On Board


Quarterback Tanner Morgan burst onto scene last year for the Minnesota Gophers in 2019, leading the team to a 11-2 regular season record. The Human Resource Development Major, posted 30 TD’s, 3,253 passing yards, and a 66% completion percentage. In 2020, he’s a Heisman Trophy hopeful.

Morgan and the Gophers topped off their surprise season with an impressive 31-24 victory against Auburn in the Outback Bowl. He finished with 278 passing yards and 2 TD’s in the game including this absolute dot to WR Tyler Johnson…



Heisman Favorite?

Morgan is now going into his Junior season and is looking to build off a wildly successful Sophomore campaign. You’d think he deserves some national attention right? Well good, because that’s exactly what he’s getting.

According to CBS Sports, Tanner Morgan is rated as a “Tier II” QB and a “Fringe” Heisman contender. This is very impressive for a player that was a rather unfamiliar name, outside of Minnesota.

Best of Tier II

There are only two players in the “Tier I” category (Clemson’s Trevor Lawerence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields). Now clearly, Lawrence and Fields deserve to be on a pedestal over any other QB in the nation, but Tanner sitting there as the #1 “Tier 2” quarterback… is interesting. That puts him as the 3rd best QB in all of college football, according to piece.


“It’s easy to see why a lot of folks are high on Morgan. He’s not a dual-threat and he didn’t have the most eye-popping numbers, but he’s an assassin as a passer. He ranked near the top nationally in on-target percentage and air yards — not bad for someone who attempted 318 passes. His TD percentage (9.4) was second in the Big Ten only to Fields (min. 100 attempts). “

Ben Kercheval, CBS Sports

Obviously, Morgan is going to have to improve on his 2019 season, but he has the talent and mindset to do it, plus a system designed to amplify his strengths. The Gophers also have him surrounded by elite playmakers at RB and WR, not to mention one of the biggest O-lines in college football. That massive OL also returns every starter from last season.

Vegas Not Aboard the Tanner Morgan Bandwagon

The current Heisman odds for Tanner Morgan, sit at +6600 (19th overall). Vegas is trying to help you out after a tough summer… so I’m taking advantage. Bring your sunscreen… I heard it’s hot this time of year.



This adds an interesting narrative to an already highly anticipated 2020 season for Minnesota. The Gophers are not only looking to become National Championship contenders, but they may have a Heisman Trophy Finalist, as well. If you know anything about PJ Fleck this will not be a distraction for what the Gophers want to accomplish.

Cameron Thompson | Minnesota Sports Fan