Each fall one college football star distinguishes himself as the king of his sport, culminating in joining one of the elite fraternities in the sports world. Sometimes that name is a known commodity entering the season, taking that next leap to stardom. Just as often it is a name nowhere close to the Heisman Trophy discussion who walks away with the hardware. As we enter 2017 let’s take a look at five candidates who would seem to have a great shot at the honor.
Lamar Jackson, Louisville Cardinals
Odds To Win Heisman Trophy: +800
The logical choice to start this discussion, Jackson broke out onto the scene early last year with a prolific September. His Cardinal team lit up the scoreboards and rose up the polls after a 63-20 destruction of Florida State. The duel-threat quarterback is perhaps even more dangerous with his legs than his arm despite throwing for 30 TDs. History says it will be difficult for him to repeat. With a loaded collection of competing talent in 2017, the smart money says to stay away from Jackson.
Saquon Barkley, Penn State Nittany Lions
Odds To Win Heisman Trophy: +1200
In a year that is already being billed as the “Year of the Quarterback,” Barkley is primed to remind people that there’s more talent on display in 2017 than just signal callers. Barkley has been flying up mock draft boards since his 2016 season finished with a dominant Rose Bowl performance. With the Nittany Lions primed to be major players in the Big Ten title chase as well as the playoff derby, expect Barkley to get his due much earlier this season than a year ago when he was still good enough to win Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
Sam Darnold, USC Trojans
Odds To Win Heisman Trophy: +300
The other star of the 2017 Rose Bowl, Darnold is a name many feel could be the top pick in the NFL Draft when he comes out. Darnold didn’t always look like a Heisman contender in 2016, but his finish to the season, most notably leading USC from 14 down to win the Rose Bowl over Penn State, certainly vaulted him into contention. Huge expectations are being given to Southern California for the first time in a few years. Darnold will likely be the reason they do or don’t live up to them. It would be a surprise to not see him in New York.
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma Sooners
Odds To Win Heisman Trophy: +1000
The sudden retirement of Bob Stoops this offseason makes Mayfield’s Heisman Trophy candidacy a little more tenuous. It will be interesting to see what changes, if any, happen absent OU’s Hall of Fame-bound head coach. Mayfield has a little Brett Favre flavor to him which can be equally thrilling and agonizing. With another early-season tilt against the Buckeyes, this time in Columbus, we’ll know early on where the Sooners fit in the playoff race and whether Mayfield’s chances go up in smoke before they even gain steam.
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State Cowboys
Odds To Win Heisman Trophy: +3000
The other Bedlam quarterback, Rudolph might not move the needle game in and game out like the four above him, but his passing prowess cannot be denied. Rudolph returns for his senior season to lead the Cowboys to what they hope is a Big 12 championship and the playoff trip they wish existed in 2011. Mike Gundy is one of the best offensive minds in all of college football. Rudolph will certainly be among the nation’s passing leaders at year’s end in Gundy’s offense. He’s going to pile up all sorts of stats that make him look good. The question is how good will the Cowboys be? If they’re a College Football Playoff contender, he’s going to be in the mix. If they are a three-loss team and are in the second-tier of squads in the Big 12, he’s not going to get much attention for winning the Heisman Trophy.
Where the Cowboys finish in the Big 12 could ultimately decide where he fits in the Heisman Trophy race this coming season.
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