Players Who Will Start 2016 Heisman Campaigns This Bowl Season
You know what they say: It's never too early to start next year's Heisman campaign. (Who "they" are is unknown, but they're sayin' it.)
Bowl season can be good for launching way-too-early Heisman campaigns, however. A good performance in the postseason can generate buzz for the next eight months. Of course, players have to follow up on that for 2016, but it at least gets the conversation going.
In the following slides are 12 players who can kick-start their '16 Heisman campaign based on 2015 performances, as well as projections for bowls and next season. Some players were already in the Heisman discussion this year, including two finalists. Others have the potential to go from Heisman unknowns to preseason contenders.
Who else can throw themselves into the Heisman conversation for next year? Make your voice heard in the comment section below.
Oklahoma Quarterback Baker Mayfield
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The general consensus among media members is that Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield was snubbed as a Heisman finalist this year. Furthermore, Sooners cornerback Zack Sanchez believes said snub will only add motivation for Mayfield in the playoff semifinal against Clemson.
Mayfield will certainly have the stage to prove he deserved a trip to New York. The Clemson defense isn't as stout as it was in 2014—statistically, it was arguably the best unit in college football that year—but it isn't lacking playmakers. Edge-rusher Shaq Lawson could keep Mayfield on the run. Cornerback Mackensie Alexander will try to take away Mayfield's best receiving targets.
However, Mayfield's scrambling ability and creativity make him one of the toughest guys to stop in college football. He's a human highlight reel, and that goes a long way with voters.
The #Baker4Heisman2016 campaign is already underway, but a strong performance against the No. 1 team in the country (and perhaps in the national championship) would go a long way to making Mayfield an early favorite.
Clemson Quarterback Deshaun Watson
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From one sideline in the Orange Bowl to the other, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson will be a star to watch this postseason. Unlike Mayfield, Watson was actually invited to New York for the Heisman finalist ceremony.
Somehow, though, it felt like what Watson did in 2015 was underappreciated. He led the ACC in total offense (4,399 yards) and had 41 touchdowns, but because this was the so-called "year of the running back," quarterbacks in general took a back seat on the hype train.
However, Watson was exceptional. He grew as a passer, as Pro Football Focus graded, but still showed on a weekly basis why his legs can be dangerous. Dual-threat quarterbacks have a built-in advantage with Heisman voters because they can score in a variety of ways and touch the ball on every snap. Now that Watson is healthy and a household name, he can really emerge as a Heisman favorite.
The Orange Bowl is a classic quarterback duel, and whoever emerges as the victor likely comes away with more Heisman buzz for 2016.
North Carolina Wide Receiver Ryan Switzer
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For a non-quarterback (or running back) to win the Heisman, a player usually has to show versatility. North Carolina wide receiver Ryan Switzer definitely has that going for him.
The Tar Heels' leading pass-catcher is also a dangerous special teams contributor. He has two punt returns for touchdowns this year and seven for his career. North Carolina will even use him as a running back or quarterback from time to time. Getting him the ball is a top priority.
There will be opportunities against Baylor in the Russell Athletic Bowl. The Bears' pass defense is shaky and has given up 27 scores through the air. Only Iowa State allowed more in the Big 12.
Last week, Switzer announced he was returning for another season, saying (via Andrew Carter of the News and Observer), “I feel like I’m a part of that unfinished business, and ultimately I’m coming back because I believe that we can compete for another championship.”
If the Tar Heels have a season that's anything close to the one they had this year, they'll command a lot of attention. If Switzer helps them get there, his Heisman buzz will grow.
LSU Running Back Leonard Fournette
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Ah, yes. Remember when the Heisman belonged to LSU running back Leonard Fournette and the real question was who would finish second? Good times.
Fournette is still a beast, of course. He still leads college football with 158.27 yards per game. However, he had a bad day against the Alabama defense in November (31 yards), which also happened to be the game in which Derrick Henry took over the Heisman race. Fournette's Heisman hopes only went down from there.
But he can rebound in a huge way against Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. This has mismatch written all over it. The Red Raiders rank 126th in both rushing yards per game allowed (271.83) and yards per rush allowed (5.92).
It's not unthinkable at all to picture Fournette matching his yards-per-game total against Texas Tech—in the first half.
Stanford Running Back Christian McCaffrey
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College football's most dynamic playmaker, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, has at least one more season to wow Heisman voters enough to actually win the award.
McCaffrey came in second to Alabama running back Derrick Henry and had an argument to win it with 3,496 all-purpose yards. That was the best in college football. His 461 yards in the Pac-12 championship against USC gave him a bump, but it wasn't enough to overtake Henry's reliability.
McCaffrey can pick up where he left off, though, in the Rose Bowl against Iowa. The Hawkeyes have one of the top defenses in college football and should be an excellent matchup for the Cardinal's more creative offense. If McCaffrey has another huge performance, it will only validate his impact on the game. And with quarterback Kevin Hogan moving on after the bowl game, McCaffrey will be the unquestioned leader for Stanford in 2016.
Texas Tech Quarterback Patrick Mahomes II
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As stated before, the story of the Texas Bowl will be Fournette against Texas Tech's run defense. The matchup that won't get nearly as much traction but could sneak and surprise some is Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahomes II versus LSU's pass defense.
Why? The Tigers aren't quite as good against the pass as you'd typically think. There's room for Mahomes to have a big game. And if Texas Tech is playing from behind, that's only going to add to Mahomes' passing numbers.
Quietly, Mahomes had a super productive year. No player in the Big 12 threw for more yards per game (356.9), and Mahomes can beat defenses with his legs as well. If Mahomes has a big game against LSU, he could become a fun Heisman hopeful for next year along with Mayfield and Baylor quarterback Seth Russell. Once again, the Big 12 will be deep at the quarterback spot.
Florida State Running Back Dalvin Cook
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If Watson was underappreciated from a Heisman standpoint, Florida State running back Dalvin Cook was practically ignored. Granted, the running back group in college football was deep. For example: Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott, who is the top running back for the 2016 draft according to B/R's Matt Miller, barely cracked the final Heisman voting.
Cook was nearly every bit the workhorse as Derrick Henry or Christian McCaffrey, but injuries lowered his overall touches. Yet, despite those injuries, Cook was one of the most explosive running backs in the country. His 7.86 yards per rush were best among running backs with at least 200 carries.
With many big-name running backs likely headed to the NFL draft, Cook could be an early front-runner for the Heisman in 2016 with a big game against Houston. Don't underestimate the Cougars—they have a top-10 rushing defense nationally in yards per attempt allowed (and rank 11th in yards per game allowed). If Cook has a big performance—he is the cornerstone of the offense, after all—that would say a lot about him as a player.
Next year, the Florida State offense should theoretically be more cohesive and balanced than it was in 2015. That should take some of the pressure off Cook to carry the team, but he'll be a prominent piece regardless.
Tennessee Quarterback Joshua Dobbs
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Tennessee was oh-so-close to breaking through in 2015. Seriously, the Vols weren't that far away from being great again. Blown leads were the story of the year, and their four losses came by a combined 17 points. "Next year" has become a typical phrase around Knoxville, but '16 actually could be that year.
Maybe.
Anyway, quarterback Joshua Dobbs will undoubtedly return as one of the SEC's top quarterbacks. If the Vols do finally take that next step, Dobbs' Heisman odds may go up as well.
That chatter can begin in the Outback Bowl against Northwestern. The Wildcats don't have the offensive ammo to keep up with Tennessee, but they have a solid defense, especially against the pass. Northwestern has allowed just five touchdowns through the air while intercepting 12. Only Michigan allowed fewer yards per pass attempt.
This is a nice challenge for Dobbs and the entire Tennessee offense. If Dobbs puts up a bunch of yards and points, he should see his Heisman buzz take off in the offseason.
Notre Dame Wide Receiver Will Fuller
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Last month, Notre Dame star wideout Will Fuller announced he was coming back for another season. Whether he actually does is another story. Fuller recently said he would "keep [his] avenues open" and "make the best educated decision" (h/t Paul Skrbina of the Chicago Tribune).
So, take that for what it's worth. If Fuller does return, though, he enters 2016 as arguably the top wide receiver in college football. He was definitely the best deep threat this year (20.45 yards, 13 touchdowns). We're operating under the assumption he will return until it's confirmed otherwise.
As for Fuller's Heisman chances, receivers don't get a ton of consideration. That's why they typically need to excel in something else (special teams) to make it to New York. Few wideouts are so dominant that they don't need to double-dip.
Fuller can be that type of dominant player, and he can show as much against Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. He'll be matched up against guys such as Eli Apple and have to make plays against Vonn Bell and/or Tyvis Powell. If Fuller can beat the Buckeyes deep with his speed or pick up chunk yards after the catch, he'll enter the offseason with a ton of hype.
Houston Quarterback Greg Ward Jr.
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What's a way-too-early Heisman conversation without a dark horse from outside the power conferences, right? Every Heisman race needs its Colt Brennan.
Of anyone on this list, Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. can make the biggest leap into the conversation. Ward's an exciting player who can throw but is almost unstoppable when he scrambles. This play against Navy is just unfair.
Florida State, Houston's opponent in the Peach Bowl, has an excellent defense with a lot of speedy players. The Seminoles ranked at or near the top of the ACC in just about every major defensive statistical category. This is a huge challenge for Ward, but if he makes some big plays, it'll catch the eye of a lot of Heisman voters.
Houston needs another big year in 2016 for Ward to have a shot at the Heisman, so gaining momentum in the bowl game against Florida State is important for those hopes. That's how Ward gets name recognition that carries through an entire offseason.
Ohio State Quarterback J.T. Barrett
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Ohio State's quarterback situation definitely disappointed after what happened in 2014. Moving forward, however, there should be more continuity with J.T. Barrett being the full-time guy. In that sense, 2016 can be the resurgence of the Buckeyes quarterback.
Barrett played well in a complementary role to Cardale Jones but really thrived down the stretch and had a big game against Michigan. If he continues that trend against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, Buckeyes fans should feel good about their quarterback situation going into next season.
It might also fuel more questions as to why Jones was starting to begin with. Barrett doesn't have the arm Jones does, but he's been more efficient and is a far better fit for the offense Ohio State runs.
USC Wide Receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster
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We're stretching it with Heisman-caliber wide receivers, but oh well. It's the holidays, and we're feeling generous.
JuJu Smith-Schuster is one of the most dominating receivers who is returning next year. His rapport with Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler is unmatched by anyone else on the team. Kessler will be gone next year, but Max Browne looks like he's next in line, and he has a powerful arm that can push the ball downfield. That means big plays for Smith-Schuster.
In the meantime, Smith-Schuster can introduce himself to the Heisman conversation with a standout performance against Wisconsin in the Holiday Bowl. The Badgers have fielded one of the top defenses in college football over the last few years. This season, Wisconsin was one of the best teams in the country against the pass and allowed only six touchdowns through the air.
A big-time wideout from USC? If there's a way for a non-quarterback/running back to sneak into the Heisman short list, that's about as good a formula as you'll find.
Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand. All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.
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