NFL Mocks 2015 Heisman Trophy Preseason Watch List
Each year we are presented with the glorious pageantry of college football. The sights and sounds that fill some of the greatest atmospheres on the planet bring us back to our childhood, even if for just a few hours each Saturday. The sounds of trumpets and drums filling the campus air, The 70,000+ screaming millennials cheering on their respectful classmates; it’s truly a thing of beauty.
But what might be even more inclusive are the individuals who make college football such an art form. Every single season there are all but five players who stand out above the rest, and earn the honor of calling themselves the best in all of the land. These young men are all vying for a chance to earn an invitation to the annual Heisman Trophy presentation in New York City to be crowned college football’s best player. Many men have come before them, and many will follow; their names sure to be never forgotten, but certainly faded with time and the performance of new young blood taking the nation by storm.
The Heisman Trophy is the most outstanding award any individual athlete can earn in all of sports, and here’s who we think have a real shot at being crowned the next college football legend.
Two years ago, trying to convince someone that Trevone Boykin was going to succeed at a high level under center at TCU would’ve gotten you laughed out of the room. In 2014, Boykin showed that he belonged, and improved tremendously, leading TCU to what should’ve been a Playoff berth. Boykin there for 3,714 yards and a total of 39 touchdowns. He’s only going to improve in 2015 with key playmakers returning, and a defensive unit that will set him up nicely to continue his scoring streak.
Elliot was the driving force during Ohio State’s National Championship run, running for 220, 230, and 246 yards during the playoffs while scoring eight touchdowns in the process. Elliot’s breakaway ability, and sheer dominance through the middle is what’s going to not only carry him to New York City, but also likely carry the Buckeyes back to the Playoff.
Todd Gurley’s mid-season injury allowed for Chubb to burst onto the scene last season, with seven consecutive games of 110+ yards or more on the ground. Chubb finished the season with 1,281 yards and 12 scores. He’s a monster to try and bring down, and has shown the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Unless Georgia wears him down early, Chubb should have a 1,700 plus yard season, and expect him to be around the 18-20 TD mark.
Having taken the nation by storm during the College Football Playoff earlier this year, Cardale Jones put himself on the map as the country’s next top quarterback. Throwing for 742 yards and five touchdowns in his three games, ultimately capped off with a National Championship in a victory against Oregon, Jones comes back in 2015 as one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, who might not even start… imagine that.
Boy, it’s been a while since we’ve seen a Trojan in any Heisman discussion, hasn’t it? Kessler is a true dark horse this season, and he looks to bring USC back to national prominence after throwing for 39 touchdowns and just five interceptions last season. He completed nearly 71% of his passes, capping a remarkable improvement from 2013 to 2014. Kessler has a great chance to wind up in New York, and with a few monster games against key opponents, could ultimately be the victor when it’s all said and done.
The Best of the Rest
Dak Prescott | QB | Mississippi State
Royce Freeman | RB | Oregon
JT Barrett | QB | Ohio State
Deshaun Watson | QB | Clemson
Samaje Perine | RB | Oklahoma
Scooby Wright, III | LB | Arizona
Connor Cook | QB | Michigan State
James Conner | RB | Pittsburgh
Love it? Hate it? Let us know in the comments below who would be on your Heisman list!
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