Heisman Watch: Ohio State's Justin Fields makes major move after impressive debut

Most college football watchers expected big things from Justin Fields in his long-awaited season debut for Ohio State. Even so, his nearly flawless outing managed to exceed those lofty expectations. Fields quickly moved into third place in the USA TODAY Network weekly Heisman survey, trailing Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Alabama’s Mac Jones.

In the Buckeyes’ opener against Nebraska, Fields threw more touchdown passes, two, than incompletions, one, on his 21 pass attempts. He accumulated 276 yards through the air, with an additional 54 yards and a TD on the ground. He received 16 points in the survey but was not listed first by any of the 22 official Heisman electors who work for USA TODAY Network properties.

The major move forward behind the two leaders for Fields comes after the junior was third on just one ballot last week.

Lawrence remains on top with 57 points and 15 first-place mentions, but Jones closed the gap to 12 points while getting six firsts. Lawrence added two touchdown passes on Saturday against Syracuse to bring his season total to 17, though he did have the first interception return for a touchdown of his career.

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Jones had a solid outing at Tennessee with 387 passing yards despite losing one of his best weapons, Jaylen Waddle, to a serious ankle injury on the opening kickoff.

Brigham Young quarterback Zach Wilson is fourth in the survey this week with a first-place mention.

Only two other players received votes for a total of six, down from 12 a week ago.