6. Louisville
Let’s use this space to offer up some much-deserved recognition for Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham.
During his time with the Cards, Cunningham has collected 7,885 passing yards and 61 passing touchdowns, while completing 62.7 percent of his passes (9.1 yards per attempt). Of course, Cunningham is an explosive passer and elite runner.
Cunningham finished the 2021 regular season with 19 rushing touchdowns, which ranked second in the FBS and led the ACC. That’s only two rushing touchdowns shy of the 21 Lamar Jackson scored during his 2016 Heisman Trophy season.
In the 2021 season, Cunningham threw for 2,734 yards, 18 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Late in the season, he put together a masterpiece as Louisville demolished hapless Duke in Durham: 303 passing yards, 224 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns. In doing so, he became just the second FBS player to throw for 300 yards and rush for 200 in the same game.