By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Wake Forest is very much in the national spotlight. Sam Hartman is, too.

Wake Forest quarterback Sam Hartman has played his way into the Heisman Trophy conversation.

The leader of the undefeated Demon Deacons, Hartman has quickly become a national name as Wake Forest has suddenly become a top ten team. Now 8-0, the Demon Deacons are ranked in the top ten in the polls for the first time ever. With a few more wins, Wake Forest will clinch a spot in the ACC Championship Game. From there, the Demon Deacons could emerge as legitimate College Football Playoff contenders. This team is one of the stories of the year in college football.

Simply put, Hartman is helping Wake Forest make history.

Hartman ranks sixth nationally with a passer rating of 175. He ranks in the top ten with 309.4 passing yards per game and 22 touchdown passes and ranks in the top five with 9.9 yards per attempt. Notably, Hartman is one of just two quarterbacks in the country with at least 2,300 passing yards and 200 rushing yards. Of signal callers with a passer rating of a minimum of 175, Hartman has the most rushing touchdowns with six. Counting total scores, Hartman is second in the Power Five with 172 total points, more than Bryce Young and Matt Corral.

During recent weeks, Hartman has been at his best. His current play is the national prototype; think one knee bent with one arm extended.

Most recently, Hartman threw for 402 yards with five total scores in a 45-7 win over Duke. The week before, Hartman threw for 458 yards and five touchdowns on nearly 80% completions as Wake Forest scored 70 points against an Army defense then ranked 6th overall. Hartman, three weeks ago, threw a walk-off 22-yard touchdown strike to A.T. Perry to beat Syracuse in overtime. Before that, he helped the Demon Deacons move down the field for a game winning field goal against Louisville with mere seconds to play.

Hartman had an all-time outing at Army, completing 23-of-29 passes for 458 yards with five touchdowns, adding a rushing score. Only seven quarterbacks this millennium have had a single game with at least 450 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, 75% completions and a rushing score: the late Colt Brennan, David Fales, Thaddeus Lewis, Jordan Love, Dak Prescott, former Wake Forest signal caller John Wolford and Hartman. Of all, Hartman did it with the fewest attempts.

In the last month alone, Hartman has 1,514 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, five rushing scores, four wins and two late, clutch victories. And his team has skyrocketed up the rankings.

Wake Forest is very much in the national spotlight. Hartman is, too. Both have earned that attention.

Already close in context, Hartman should be a Heisman name. He has been one of college football’s most outstanding players.