It's the most wonderful time of the year. And no, I'm not talking Christmas, that over-commercialized bonanza. I'm talking of course, about football season. It's time for tailgating, wings, yelling at the TV, stressing over the waiver wire, and disappearing for the entire weekend. Of course, when we talk about football, college football specifically, then we have to talk about the Heisman Trophy.
The Heisman is the most prestigious individual award in all of American sports. Some past winners include Cam Newton, Carson Palmer, Charles Woodson, Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie, Earl Campbell, Tony Dorsett, Desmond Howard, and Marcus Mariota. This year's winner will have their name forever immortalized for future generations to read.
On a personal level, the Heisman race is by far The Sports Examiner's biggest and most popular attraction. We track the race every week and pick our winner at the end of the season. Last year's winner was QB Lamar Jackson. He had a sensational season, but it made for a slightly uninteresting race. Jackson was hot all season long and it became apparent that he would take home the award. Here's hoping we have a more interesting race this season.
Before we present our Top 10, here are a few honorable mentions. We have WR Calvin Ridley from Alabama, his teammate Bo Scarbrough, Longhorn QB Shane Buechele, Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph, QB Jake Browning from Washington, and new Florida Gator Malik Zaire. Let's get started.
10. Jalen Hurts, Alabama
When the season ended last year, Hurts was in the Top 5 of our Heisman watch. Admittedly, we were a little high on him, but it was hard not to be too impressed with him. After all, he did play for runner-up Alabama and put up numerous noteworthy performances throughout the year. That being said, the Crimson Tide defense was the real reason they were so successful, not Hurts. He did play well, but he wasn't even the most outstanding player on his own team. This year however, Hurts has a chance to contend for the gold. He plays for one of the best teams in the country, has weapons like Ridley and Scarbrough, and should be better than he was last year.
9. Royce Freeman, Oregon
It seems like Freeman always starts out as a Heisman contender, but never seems to actually follow through. That being said, he is a talented running back. In fact, he's one of the top 10 running backs in the country. He can be a bit inconsistent at times, but it's clear that he's very talented. He's a dark horse for sure, but he's still in the race.
8. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Last year was a coming out party for Barkley. Penn State nearly made the playoffs and Barkley looked like a real beast. He's one of the five best backs in football and was a Heisman long shot last year. This year, he could become a real contender. I'm a little lower on him than most people, but even I can't rank him lower than 8.
7. Nick Chubb, Georgia
You could argue that Chubb is the best running back in college football. Everything we've seen from his first two seasons in the league. The only reason he isn't ranked higher is the same reason he has never been a Heisman finalist: injuries. A nasty leg injury cost him most of the 2015 season and also cut into his 2016 season. If he can stay on the field and produce, he should move up this list.
6. Deondre Francois, Florida State
I have to admit, I'm all in on this guy. As a freshman last year, he displayed poise, confidence, and leadership. On top of that, he has a great arm and is a sensational quarterback. He was a frequent name on our Heisman watch last season and will probably do the same again this year.
5. JT Barrett, Ohio State
Barrett has had an interesting career. He's competed for the starting job multiple times while also winning a national championship and winning a number of awards, including being Offensive MVP of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. Somewhat surprisingly, he has never been a Heisman finalist. Could that change this year?
4. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
A lot of people have this guy as their preseason pick to win the award, and it makes a lot of sense. Oklahoma is expected to contend for a national title, he was a Heisman finalist last year, and he is one of the top 5 quarterbacks in college football. Side note: my top five are Mayfield, Barrett, UCLA's Josh Rosen, USC's Sam Darnold (more on him later), and Lamar Jackson. The bottom five in my top ten are Francois, Browning, Buechele, Rudolph, and Michigan's Wilton Speight. If I was a batting man, I would certainly put money on Mayfield reaching New York City.
3. Derrius Guice, LSU
Can I just say that I was high on Guice before anyone else was? In fact, at the end of last year, I gave him the college football rising star award. In limited playing time last year (thanks to starter Leonard Fournette being injured), Guice got a chance to play and show the world what a special player he is. In my opinion, he's the second-best back in college football and will show the world that this season. By the way, I might just love LSU running backs, because Fournette was my preseason Heisman pick last year.
2. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
It might seem a little surprising to see that last year's winner is only #2 here. After all, shouldn't he be the consensus #1 pick? My issue is not with his performance, I believe he will continue to put up mind-blowing stats. My problem is that I believe the media is tired of him. The media was all over him last year (including me, I gave him two TSE awards last year) and are looking for a new story. There's a reason only one man has ever won two Heismans (that man being Archie Griffin). However, Jackson is too dynamic of a player to ignore. He will be invited back to New York City, but there's a chance he will not win.
1. Sam Darnold, USC
Remember when I said the media was tired of Jackson and needed a new story? Well they found one in Sam Darnold. I had the chance to watch him play at the Colisseum last year, and let me tell you, the hype is real. Darnold is the real deal and will definitely contend for the Heisman this year. That's why he is my preseason pick to win the 2017 Heisman trophy.
Thanks for reading everyone. Check back soon for our updated watch.
The Heisman is the most prestigious individual award in all of American sports. Some past winners include Cam Newton, Carson Palmer, Charles Woodson, Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker, Doug Flutie, Earl Campbell, Tony Dorsett, Desmond Howard, and Marcus Mariota. This year's winner will have their name forever immortalized for future generations to read.
On a personal level, the Heisman race is by far The Sports Examiner's biggest and most popular attraction. We track the race every week and pick our winner at the end of the season. Last year's winner was QB Lamar Jackson. He had a sensational season, but it made for a slightly uninteresting race. Jackson was hot all season long and it became apparent that he would take home the award. Here's hoping we have a more interesting race this season.
Before we present our Top 10, here are a few honorable mentions. We have WR Calvin Ridley from Alabama, his teammate Bo Scarbrough, Longhorn QB Shane Buechele, Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph, QB Jake Browning from Washington, and new Florida Gator Malik Zaire. Let's get started.
10. Jalen Hurts, Alabama
When the season ended last year, Hurts was in the Top 5 of our Heisman watch. Admittedly, we were a little high on him, but it was hard not to be too impressed with him. After all, he did play for runner-up Alabama and put up numerous noteworthy performances throughout the year. That being said, the Crimson Tide defense was the real reason they were so successful, not Hurts. He did play well, but he wasn't even the most outstanding player on his own team. This year however, Hurts has a chance to contend for the gold. He plays for one of the best teams in the country, has weapons like Ridley and Scarbrough, and should be better than he was last year.
9. Royce Freeman, Oregon
It seems like Freeman always starts out as a Heisman contender, but never seems to actually follow through. That being said, he is a talented running back. In fact, he's one of the top 10 running backs in the country. He can be a bit inconsistent at times, but it's clear that he's very talented. He's a dark horse for sure, but he's still in the race.
8. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
Last year was a coming out party for Barkley. Penn State nearly made the playoffs and Barkley looked like a real beast. He's one of the five best backs in football and was a Heisman long shot last year. This year, he could become a real contender. I'm a little lower on him than most people, but even I can't rank him lower than 8.
7. Nick Chubb, Georgia
You could argue that Chubb is the best running back in college football. Everything we've seen from his first two seasons in the league. The only reason he isn't ranked higher is the same reason he has never been a Heisman finalist: injuries. A nasty leg injury cost him most of the 2015 season and also cut into his 2016 season. If he can stay on the field and produce, he should move up this list.
6. Deondre Francois, Florida State
I have to admit, I'm all in on this guy. As a freshman last year, he displayed poise, confidence, and leadership. On top of that, he has a great arm and is a sensational quarterback. He was a frequent name on our Heisman watch last season and will probably do the same again this year.
5. JT Barrett, Ohio State
Barrett has had an interesting career. He's competed for the starting job multiple times while also winning a national championship and winning a number of awards, including being Offensive MVP of the 2016 Fiesta Bowl. Somewhat surprisingly, he has never been a Heisman finalist. Could that change this year?
4. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
A lot of people have this guy as their preseason pick to win the award, and it makes a lot of sense. Oklahoma is expected to contend for a national title, he was a Heisman finalist last year, and he is one of the top 5 quarterbacks in college football. Side note: my top five are Mayfield, Barrett, UCLA's Josh Rosen, USC's Sam Darnold (more on him later), and Lamar Jackson. The bottom five in my top ten are Francois, Browning, Buechele, Rudolph, and Michigan's Wilton Speight. If I was a batting man, I would certainly put money on Mayfield reaching New York City.
3. Derrius Guice, LSU
Can I just say that I was high on Guice before anyone else was? In fact, at the end of last year, I gave him the college football rising star award. In limited playing time last year (thanks to starter Leonard Fournette being injured), Guice got a chance to play and show the world what a special player he is. In my opinion, he's the second-best back in college football and will show the world that this season. By the way, I might just love LSU running backs, because Fournette was my preseason Heisman pick last year.
2. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
It might seem a little surprising to see that last year's winner is only #2 here. After all, shouldn't he be the consensus #1 pick? My issue is not with his performance, I believe he will continue to put up mind-blowing stats. My problem is that I believe the media is tired of him. The media was all over him last year (including me, I gave him two TSE awards last year) and are looking for a new story. There's a reason only one man has ever won two Heismans (that man being Archie Griffin). However, Jackson is too dynamic of a player to ignore. He will be invited back to New York City, but there's a chance he will not win.
1. Sam Darnold, USC
Remember when I said the media was tired of Jackson and needed a new story? Well they found one in Sam Darnold. I had the chance to watch him play at the Colisseum last year, and let me tell you, the hype is real. Darnold is the real deal and will definitely contend for the Heisman this year. That's why he is my preseason pick to win the 2017 Heisman trophy.
Thanks for reading everyone. Check back soon for our updated watch.
