Heisman Watch: Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa leads Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins in first vote

Sorry, Nick Saban, but here’s some more positive press about one of your players. 

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has the early lead in the USA TODAY Network Heisman survey, a weekly snapshot of the race for college football’s most iconic individual award.

In the initial survey of official Heisman electors who work for the USA TODAY Network, Tagovailoa was the only player named by all 16 voters with 11 listing him first. The Crimson Tide’s sensational sophomore signal caller is the Bowl Subdivision’s most efficient passer in the NCAA’s formula with a 230.5 rating, thanks to a lofty 72.5% completion rate and 12 touchdown tosses with no picks.

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There’s a long way to go, of course, and other candidates have opportunities to gain ground as early as next week. Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins, second in total points with a pair of top votes in this week’s survey, could make a big push if he leads the fourth-ranked Buckeyes to victory Saturday night at No. 9 Penn State. 

Two quarterbacks from the Big 12, West Virginia’s Will Grier and Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray, are also getting strong consideration.