If Heisman Trophy voting were today, how would Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson stack up?

They don’t give the Heisman Trophy in late September.

That seems a good idea given a whole lot of games are left to be played. But sports are supposed to be fun, and part of the fun is projecting bowl matchups and other things far down the road.

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

But who’s to say? Ohio State has played Akron, Western Michigan and Marshall. The only conclusions to draw from that is the Buckeyes figured out 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 look all the better.

Anyway, in the moment there is no running back more worthy of being in the Sept. 26 Heisman derby than Johnson. He is second to Boise State’s 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 at Oregon, so that’s mighty impressive. He’s averaging 10.5 yards per carry to Johnson’s 8.5. He’s also played three games to Johnson’s four, and his other two opponents were Georgia Southern and Portland State.

Playing in the Mountain West Conference, Jeanty isn’t going to get seen or valued as much as he may deserve. That’s a fact of life. But those numbers he has so far are something.

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

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

Cam Ward, Miami: His team is 4-0 with a big win at 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 have faced no team that matters. Nonetheless, Dart is the leader in passing efficiency, averages 388.5 yards per game, and has completed 79.8 percent of his throws.

Dillon Gabriel, Oregon: The Ducks are 3-0 and Gabriel’s moment of truth comes Oct. 12 when Oregon hosts Ohio State. He has completed a ridiculous 84 percent of his passes, averages 305 yards per game, and hasn’t been picked off.

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

No other quarterback leaps off the page right now, but one or more will.

Then there’s Travis Hunter, Colorado wide receiver and cornerback.

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

Hunter, nonetheless, has 37 catches for 472 yards and five touchdowns. He forced the game-winning fumble to clinch Colorado’s overtime win over Baylor last week on his 147th snap of the game. He has an 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 is doing great things on both sides of the ball I’m impressed.

As for Johnson, he moves into national Heisman discussion only if he has big numbers and leaves a lasting impression at Ohio State next week. The Hawkeyes can’t get blown out. They have to move the ball and score some 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 everything worked for Iowa. No Hawkeye has 100 rushing yards in a game at Columbus since Sedrick Shaw in 1995.

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

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

Comments: mike.hlas@thegazette.com