Here is an early look at the top candidates in the college football 2016 Heisman Trophy race. Leonard Fournette stole the spotlight for LSU early on this season before Derrick Henry turned it up over the second half, dominated down the stretch and won the 2015 Heisman Trophy award. Henry still has at least one more game to play for Alabama this season, but we’re already looking forward to next year with some predictions for whom could win the 2016 Heisman trophy award.
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State Buckeyes
Quarterback
Barrett struggled at Ohio State this season as neither he nor Cardale Jones was able to secure the starting quarterback job. His overall impact was severely limited as he never really seemed comfortable in the Buckeyes’ offense. Part of that was because he wasn’t originally named the starter and then the coaching staff switched back and forth before setting on Barrett. He is still immensely talented, and with Jones gone in 2016 he is expected to be the unquestioned No. 1 quarterback heading in to next year’s camp. We know what this offense is capable of – even after a down year – and we can expect big things from Barrett in 2016.
Running Back
It seemed at the midway mark of this season like Fournette had locked up this year’s Heisman Trophy award, but he stumbled down the stretch. Despite decent numbers overall, he could not keep up with Henry. Fournette still finished with the third-most rushing yards of any FBS player, with 1,741 despite playing in just 11 games and he has averaged 1,388 yards in each of his first two college seasons. If LSU can improve around him – at the quarterback position and on the defensive side of the equation – he’ll be one of the leading candidates for the Heisman in 2016.
Dalvin Cook, Florida State Seminoles
Running Back
Cook averaged 7.9 yards per carry while rushing for 1,658 yards and scoring 19 total touchdowns at Florida State. That’s despite playing in only 10 games this season. The fact that he missed two full games because of injury limited his production but we saw just how explosive of a runner he can be. He’s expected to be the centerpiece of the Seminoles’ offense in 2016 similar to how he was used this year: getting carry after carry after carry. He was overshadowed this year by a great class of running backs, but his yards-per-carry average was incredible. If he approaches that again in 2016, he’ll be one of the front-runners.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson Tigers
Quarterback
Watson’s dual-threat ability helped him to finish in the top 10 in the country in total offense this season and there is every reason to love his potential to thrive with a formidable cast of weapons around him next year. Clemson will welcome back wide receiver Mike Williams, along with Deon Cain and Artavis Scott. The ACC is short on quality defenses, so there won’t be many hurdles for Watson and Clemson’s offense. He’ll be one of the most polished quarterbacks leading one of the most explosive attacks. Expect him to have the stats to impress the Heisman Trophy voters.
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Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma Sooners
Quarterback
Troy Smith is the only senior to win the Heisman since 2004 but it wouldn’t be a surprise if Mayfield contends for the award next year when he returns for his final season at Oklahoma. Mayfield was in the mix this year with 35 touchdown passes compared to just five interceptions but he really didn’t start to shine until after the first few weeks. By that point, he was already behind in the race. As long as he stays healthy next year, he should top the 3,000-yard passing mark again and have a similar touchdown-to-interception rate. The Sooners’ offense has the potential to be one of the best in the country with running back Samaje Perine back as well and it will be very interesting to see if he can make his mark and challenge for the award in his senior season.
