2016 Recruits Most Likely to Contend for Heisman Trophy Someday
The Heisman Trophy ranks among America's most revered athletic awards. Its list of winners transcends the sport, with recipients including iconic college football figures such as Bo Jackson, Tim Tebow and Herschel Walker.
It typically takes several seasons on a collegiate campus to command legitimate notoriety for the honor, making it difficult to anticipate which newcomers will someday vie for glory. Still, we worked our way through though the 2016 class in an effort to project which prospects possess the skills and potential opportunities to make a run at the heralded achievement.
Though these athletes are still looking ahead to another high school season, here's our, admittedly, early look at prospects who could vie for a Heisman in college.
QB Shea Patterson (Bradenton, Florida)
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Shea Patterson is the catalyst of a formidable Ole Miss recruiting class, paired up with premier wide receiver and Rebels legacy DeKaylin Metcalf. The 6'2", 195-pound IMG Academy standout initially pledged to Arizona as an underclassman before proclaiming his allegiances to Ole Miss.
He could complement a ferocious "Land Sharks" defensive attack and help the program reach new offensive heights. The 5-star recruit threw just seven interceptions on 422 pass attempts during the past two seasons, tallying 5,083 yards and 72 scores in the process.
Patterson also plans to add to his collection of potential targets in Oxford.
"[Committing] is just the start of my recruiting process," he told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles. "I'm going to do the best I can to help bring the best class there."
Elite 11 MVP honors and an ensuing transfer to national powerhouse IMG Academy further enhanced Patterson's national profile. Expect it to grow further when his opportunity arrives in college.
"My ultimate goal for this senior season is to do as much as I can to prepare myself for college in the spring," Patterson said. "That means working hard every day in an effort to get better. I need to get faster, I need to get stronger, and hopefully everything will pay off at Ole Miss."
RB Tavien Feaster (Spartanburg, South Carolina)
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Dabo Swinney was the first coach to extend a formal scholarship to Tavien Feaster, and it paid off in February when he pledged to Clemson. The 6'0", 204-pound running back should further bolster an explosive Tigers offense, potentially taking the torch from quarterback Deshaun Watson as the primary weapon when the highly touted passer departs.
His versatility sets Feaster apart from so many other talented rushers in this cycle, evidenced by 27 receptions for 623 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior, per
QB Malik Henry (Long Beach, California)
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We've seen multiple Heisman Trophy winners arise behind center in Tallahassee during recent decades, including the man who was supposed to serve as Malik Henry's head coach at IMG Academy. Chris Weinke has since accepted an assistant role with the St. Louis Rams, helping set the stage for Henry's impending transfer from the Sunshine State powerhouse to Long Beach Poly High School in California.
Though he may return to California, Henry remains a strong Seminoles commitment. After tossing 4,416 yards and 36 touchdowns during the past two seasons, the 6'3", 180-pound prospect looks poised to challenge for an early starting role at Florida State.
Considering the firepower and offensive pedigree in place with the Seminoles, it's easy to envision Henry rising to stardom in garnet and gold.
“I felt comfortable in Tallahassee. Plus they have an explosive offense,” Henry said on Thursday. “They have a bright future. Look at Ermon Lane, Travis Rudolph and everybody else, I think they have a great receiver core.”
That group could have an opportunity to work with Henry early if he comes to campus on a mission.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
RB Demario McCall (North Ridgeville, Ohio)
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Ohio State currently claims commitments from three of the country's top 10 running back recruits in the class, so there's a likelihood at least one could readdress their choice in months to come.
"It's definitely something I think about," Demario McCall told Bleacher Report. "That's a lot of talent coming in at one position. But Ohio State is where I feel like I'm meant to be."
The 5'11", 180-pound playmaker is our choice to emerge as Urban Meyer's top option from this group, eventually taking on a pivotal role in this star-studded Buckeyes backfield.
He is dangerous in several facets of the game, displaying excellent receiving skills and an ability to do damage in special teams return situations. McCall erupted for 2,842 all-purpose yards and 38 scores last season, per Bill Kurelic of 247Sports.
The Ohio State offensive attack currently features multiple Heisman Trophy candidates, including two players—running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback J.T. Barrett—listed as top-three possibilities, per OddsShark.com. Given Meyer's track record with talented athletes, expect more young players to enter the Heisman discussion as long as he remains in Columbus.
CB Levonta Taylor (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
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Defensive players rarely contend for Heisman Trophy consideration, but if anyone in this class can, it's Levonta Taylor. The electrifying Ocean Lakes High School star scored five total return touchdowns on defense and special teams last season, displaying the dynamic level of athleticism that commands a national spotlight.
Taylor, a 5'11", 182-pound talent, showcased sub-4.4 speed this summer during a high-profile camp circuit. He committed to Florida State in April and will join a star-studded defensive secondary in Tallahassee, where he'll have the chance to flourish as a true freshman.
It will take more than just tackles and interceptions to earn Heisman attention, so Taylor's effectiveness on special teams is ultimately the wild card here. Expect him to shine in several spots as a Seminole.
“They like the speed I bring to the table as well as my tackling ability. They also said I can play some on offense and return kicks and punts," he told B/R recruiting analyst Sanjay Kirpalani.
RB Miles Sanders (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
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Miles Sanders is front and center in an impressive Penn State recruiting class. He may be the most promising running back headed to Happy Valley in a long time, offering immediate help for an offensive attack that's sputtered too often during head coach James Franklin's brief tenure.
The 5'11", 200-pound prospect is a true dual-threat passer out of the backfield, presenting a reliable passing outlet for his quarterback. Sanders is also a dangerous weapon in the kick return game.
He caught a 57-yard touchdown in Woodland Hills High School's most recent matchup, per Greg Pickel of PennLive.com. Sanders added 67-yard scoring run and 81-yard kick return touchdown, though it was called back due to a penalty.
That effort perfectly illustrates why Sanders lands on this list. His versatility will allow him to impact games in multiple ways, and a strong physical frame sets the stage for consistent high-volume carry totals in college.
QB Jacob Eason (Lake Stevens, Washington)
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Georgia fans have been waiting to see Jacob Eason in a Bulldogs uniform since last July, when he pledged to the program before his junior season. The wait for him to arrive from Lake Stevens High School in Washington will be well worth it if he lives up to immense expectations.
His 6'5", 205-pound frame and consistent quality mechanics make him a prototypical pocket passer who can direct a high-powered aerial assault. Eason, who threw for 6,228 passing yards and 59 touchdowns during the past two years, is a prime candidate to compete for snaps behind center as a true freshman.
Some have made comparisons to former Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, who developed into a No. 1 overall NFL draft pick. Eason is far from a polished product, but the 5-star prospect is undoubtedly ahead of the curve in comparison to most 2016 contemporaries.
"I'm all in. I'm excited to see what Coach [Brian] Schottenheimer [Georgia's offensive coordinator] is going to do with me," he told Bleacher Report's Damon Sayles. "I'm ready to be a Bulldog and to get down there and do good things."
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
