It’s becoming routine. Since 2006, Black quarterbacks have won the Heisman Trophy seven times and have been close to winning on many other occasions.

The trend is likely to continue this season with one of the top-tier candidates having Virginia connections.

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker played three seasons at Virginia Tech before transferring to Rocky Top in 2021. Listed as a redshirt senior, he was awarded a fifth year of eligibility (three at Tech, two at UT) due to the pandemic.

Additionally, Hooker has HBCU ties. His father, QB Alan Hooker, was the HBCU National Offensive Player at North Carolina A&T in 1984.

Hendon’s brother, Alston, is a redshirt freshman QB at A&T, having played in four games.

The other leading Black QB Heisman candidates are Alabama’s Bryce Young and Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud.

With about five weeks left in the regular season, here are the most likely Heisman recipients. Heisman voting includes regular season and conference championship games only.

The votes by a national media panel and former Heisman winners are counted prior to FBS playoff and bowl games. It is announced in early December.

Introducing ...

Young (QB, Alabama, junior): The Tides’ dual-threat sensation is seeking to become the first back-to-back Heisman winner since Ohio State running back Archie Griffin in 1974 and 1975.

Young had a tough QB act to follow in Tuscaloosa. He was preceded by Mac Jones, who was third in Heisman voting in 2020 and is now the No. 1 arm with the New England Patriots.

To repeat, Young might need to lead ‘Bama to the SEC title and do so in heroic fashion.

Stroud (QB, Ohio State, red-shirt sophomore): The native Californian

followed Justin Fields, who was third in Heisman vot- ing in 2019 and is now the starting QB for the Chicago Bears. Stroud was a Heisman finalist last year.

Stroud might have won the top prize a year ago except for the Buckeyes’ 42-27 loss to Michigan in a Big 10 super showdown before more than 111,000 people in Ann Arbor.

Stroud likely will need to lead OSU to victory this season over Michigan to be presented the Heisman.

Blake Corum (running back, Michigan, junior): The 5-foot-8 human cannonball also has Virginia connections. He was born in Fauquier County. He moved with his family at an early age to Maryland.

For most of the 1900s, running backs dominated the Heisman voting. No More. Corum will need to play his game of a lifetime against OSU to be No. 1.

Max Duggan (QB, Texas Christian, senior): It’s been a long wait between Heismans for the Horned Frogs. TCU’s only winner was QB Davey O’Brien from the 1938 national championship team.

This Max Duggan has no connection to the 1983 Neil Simon cinema comedy “Max Dugan Returns.”

The Horned Frogs will need to run the table and slip into the FBS playoffs for Duggan to prevail as college’s best player.

Even then, unlikely. Hooker (QB, Tennessee, redshirt senior): Statistics to date: 156-for-219 passing (71 percent); 2,338 yards, 21 TDs, one interception.

To win the Heisman, it helps to have a “Heisman Moment.”

Hooker had his Oct. 15, in Knoxville, when he guided the Vols to a 52-49 victory over Alabama, breaking a 15-year losing streak against the Tide.

Before national TV cameras and 101,915 fanatics at Neyland Stadium, Hooker threw for 385 yards and five touchdowns, and engineered a last-gasp drive that led to the winning field goal with 0:00 left on the clock.