Welcome to the first week of a new series named the Heisman Ladder, the top five players in contention for the Heisman trophy.

I want to preface this list by saying that yes, these are all quarterbacks. QBs have won six of the last seven Heisman trophies. It takes historic seasons for non-QBs to win the Heisman, and since this is a preseason ranking, no one has done anything historic. At some point in the year, I am sure that I will have people like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Blake Corum featured on this list.

From: John E. McGillen Photography

1. Caleb Williams, USC QB

Caleb Williams is the best player in college football. As the reigning Heisman winner, he now has a legitimate shot to be the first player to win back to back Heisman trophies since 1975. The problem with Williams is that he has to top what he did last year, or voters won't see it as a Heisman caliber season. What does that entail? Making the College Football Playoff. Team success is the one aspect of Caleb Williams' season that fell short in 2022. USC fell to Utah twice last year, but thankfully the Utes come to the Coliseum in 2023. USC has a tough schedule this year, but if Caleb and Co. can grind through it and get into the CFP, he'll have a real shot at another Heisman trophy.

From: Ryan Martinez (Getty Images)

2. Michael Penix Jr., Washington QB

Washington is heading into the 2023 season as one of the best offenses in the country. The Huskies have elite talent on the outside like Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan, but the keys to the Ferrari are in Michael Penix Jr.'s hands. Penix landed at three in our 2023 Top 10 QBs in college football. The Indiana transfer threw for over 4600 yards and 30 touchdowns in his first year at Washington. Penix and the Huskies are ranked 6th in our preseason Top 25, the highest of any Pac-12 team. Washington does have a tough schedule, but if Kalen Deboer can navigate his team to the Conference Title game, the Huskies should have a shot at the CFP. Another huge statistical season from Penix coupled with team success will cement him firmly into the Heisman race.

From: Andy Mead (ISI Photos/Getty Images)

3. Drake Maye, UNC QB

Drake Maye gets onto the initial list based off talent alone. I believe in the transcendent ability of Maye to carry the carcass of a UNC roster that leaves a lot to be desired. Maye has a rocket of an arm and sneaky mobility. It will be a tough road for Maye to win the Heisman. North Carolina is going to have to make a New Year's Six Bowl at the very least. A week one slugfest in Columbia with South Carolina should make for a challenge to start the year, but the schedule thankfully lets up after that. Even if the Tar Heels lose the battle of the Carolinas, they have a comfortable couple of months before heading to Clemson in Week 12. UNC optimistically goes 10-2, which would likely be due to a herculean season from Drake Maye.

From: Gerald Herbert (AP)

4. Jordan Travis, FSU QB

Has Mike Norvell turned around Florida State? Maybe. Is there a chance FSU runs the table and wins the ACC? Yes. How are they going to be able to beat the likes of Clemson? Jordan Travis. Travis had 31 combined touchdowns last year. Jordan Travis has turned into an elite quarterback in college football, improving year over year. In his final year in college football, Travis looks to find team success for the first time in this career.

While 2022 was a fun story, expectations are the highest they have been since the Jimbo Fisher era. These lofty expectations land on the shoulders of Norvell and Travis. It helps to have a receiver like Johnny Wilson on the perimeter who should take another step up this year. Jordan Travis and the Seminoles are one of the most interesting teams this year, and living up to expectations could land him at the Heisman conversation this year.

From: Ali Gradischer (Stringer Photo/Getty Images)

5. Bo Nix, Oregon QB

Bo Nix exploded onto the scene after leaving Auburn and heading to Eugene to play for Dan Lanning. Once a highly touted QB prospect, Nix struggled at Auburn likely due to a myriad of expectations. After heading to Oregon, Nix had a career year and shocked everyone, throwing for 3500 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also ran for 500 yards and 14 touchdowns. Nix went ballistic last year, but the Ducks fell short a couple of times in 2022. Losses to Oregon State and Washington hampered their conference championship hopes, not to mention the beatdown they suffered in Week 1 at the hands of Georgia. Nix does not have to take a step up to be a Heisman contender, but if he does, Bo Nix will likely be number one in this ladder at some point.

Those are my top five Heisman candidates headed into 2023. We get our first taste of college football on Saturday, but the real games start Thursday. Check in every Monday starting September 4th for our 2023 Heisman ladder.