Ranking the College Football Players Most Likely to Score 20 Touchdowns
The college football landscape in 2015 will feature an array of dynamic athletes.
Many of these talents have the ability to produce at high levels. Of course, a top determiner when it comes to production is the number of touchdowns one can accrue.
This piece will analyze the players most likely to score 20 touchdowns this upcoming year.
A few factors contribute to ranking—and appearance—on this list. For example, the returning situation at quarterback and wide receiver will likely determine the number of touches one may receive. Of course, the success enjoyed in past years by the player will also be taken into account.
Aside from one player on this list (who is more of a mobile option), quarterbacks will not be included.
Honorable mentions: Shock Linwood, Derrick Henry, Paul Perkins
Rashard Higgins
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Rashard Higgins had a monster 2014 season in which he led the nation in receiving yards (1,750) and touchdown receptions (17).
Higgins' ability to separate from coverage down the field is superlative. He's also gifted in terms of leaping up and catching the ball at the apex.
It's somewhat rare for a receiver to have 20 touchdown receptions in a single season. The record is 27—held by Troy Edwards during his time at Louisiana Tech in 1998.
Higgins also won't be catching passes from Garrett Grayson. The talented signal-caller was recently drafted by the New Orleans Saints.
Redshirt freshman Coleman Key and redshirt sophomore Nick Stevens will battle for the starting gig. Needless to say, there's likely to be a bit of a learning curve with either inexperienced player under center.
For those reasons, Higgins checks in at No. 11.
William Fuller
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While Higgins is a superior talent, Notre Dame pass-catcher William Fuller has a better chance at getting to 20 touchdowns.
Heading into 2015, the junior is the unquestioned top receiver on Notre Dame's roster. Fuller led the team a season ago in receptions (76), touchdown receptions (15) and receiving yards (1,094).
The statistical output of the squad from 2014 truly shows the mass reliance upon Fuller in the passing game.
Fuller should also help Malik Zaire's transition from a reserve to the starting quarterback. Dually, Zaire's prior experience will help the wide receiver's productivity continue to increase.
Nick Wilson
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Nick Wilson was a major beneficiary in Rich Rodriguez's run-happy offense.
Continuing in the line of impressive freshman running backs, Wilson had 17 total touchdowns (16 of the rushing variety). The Fresno native also notched 1,375 yards on the ground in his initial campaign.
With Arizona's up-tempo offense, the Wildcats run a ton of plays. This will equal more opportunities for Wilson to get the rock. There's no doubt (barring injury) he should be able to improve upon his totals from a year ago as a sophomore.
Leonard Fournette
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At the conclusion of this season, there's a real chance Leonard Fournette will end up much higher on this list.
An elite talent, the New Orleans native will assume the role as the featured back for LSU in 2015. Fournette accumulated 10 rushing touchdowns and 1,034 yards rushing as a true freshman.
Although he wasn't used much in the passing game, expect those numbers to improve as a sophomore. The 20 touchdown mark might be a bit ambitious considering LSU's proclivity for rotating its running backs.
The quarterback play could also limit Fournette's effectiveness. LSU has good talent at receiver in Malachi Dupre, Travin Dural, John Diarse and Trey Quinn. However, the consistency at the QB position needs to be loads better—whether it's Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings starting.
If the quarterback play continues to be shaky, the opposition will likely disregard the passing game and stack the box versus Fournette—making it difficult to exploit running lanes.
Royce Freeman
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Another Pac-12 freshman with a stellar 2014 season was Oregon running back Royce Freeman.
The San Diego native ran for 18 touchdowns in the Ducks' high-paced, explosive offensive scheme. He was an absolute terror on zone-read looks—using good vision and impressive quickness to burst through the hole for big gains.
In terms of reaching the 20 touchdown mark, Freeman will have to share carries with Thomas Tyner.
However, Marcus Mariota is gone. There isn't a quarterback on Oregon's roster possessing Mariota's ability to run the football. This will likely signal a tweaking to the scheme—incorporating more throws down the field and more touches for Freeman.
Being a big back, Freeman is also the top choice on any running play near the goal line.
Samaje Perine
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With new offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley in tow, Samaje Perine could be utilized in a myriad of ways.
Riley's offenses at East Carolina routinely pushed the tempo and put up points in bunches. During his five years with the school, his scheme set 50 team or individual offensive records.
Perine took the college football nation by storm a season ago, when he rushed for an eye-popping 427 yards and five touchdowns on 34 carries versus Kansas. This total is the most for one single game in Division I history.
The Texas native finished with 21 touchdowns a season ago. This year in Riley's high-octane offense, he'll also be sharing carries with Joe Mixon and Alex Ross. This could curtail his total touchdown output a bit.
Ezekiel Elliott
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Arguably the player with the most momentum heading into 2015, Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott is poised for a monster season.
The immensely talented back out of St. Louis had 18 touchdowns in 2014. Interestingly enough, his touchdown totals towards the end of the season correlated with Ohio State's title run.
Through the first eight games, Elliott had only five touchdowns. In the last seven games, the running back compiled 13 scores.
One would expect this trend to continue in what will likely be his final season on the collegiate level. However, with Ohio State potentially involved in a number of blowouts this upcoming year, Elliott's overall statistical output could be limited.
Jarvion Franklin
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One might be surprised to see the inclusion of Jarvion Franklin on this list.
Hailing from Western Michigan University, the Illinois native had a star-studded season as a true freshman. Franklin had 25 overall touchdowns—including 24 on the ground.
He rushed for 1,551 yards and was the first MAC player in history to win both the MAC Rookie of the Year and the MAC Offensive Player of the Year awards.
Replicating these awesome numbers might be a bit of a stretch, but there's no reason to think Franklin can't achieve the goal of producing at least 20 touchdowns.
Nick Chubb
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Along with Elliott, Nick Chubb will be considered one of the top Heisman Trophy candidates heading into the 2015 season.
Playing behind Todd Gurley at the start of last year, Chubb was limited to minimal production. Through the first five games, he registered 224 yards on the ground.
The sixth game of the season came versus Missouri. When thrust into a starting role, Chubb ripped off eight-straight games of at least 100 yards. He finished the year with 1,547 yards rushing and 16 total touchdowns.
Now clearly the centerpiece of Georgia's offense, there's no question he should break the 20 touchdown total (assuming he stays healthy). It will be fascinating to see how he performs with not only a new quarterback, but also a relatively inexperienced wide receiver corps.
Chubb will also be dealing with the fact opposing teams will tailor their defensive game plans around his ability to run the football.
James Conner
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James Conner was a bruising battering-ram for the Pitt Panthers in 2014.
The 6'2", 250-pound back from Pennsylvania was third in the country with 26 rushing touchdowns. Conner also managed to rack up 1,765 yards on the ground.
Conner is unquestionably one of the best big backs in the entire country. The mere threat of stud receiver Tyler Boyd on the perimeter should open up things in the run game for Conner. Expect him to carry much of the load again in 2015.
Keenan Reynolds
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Yes, a player from the Naval Academy tops this list.
Keenan Reynolds is the only quarterback mentioned within the piece. This is in large part due to the unconventional triple-option offense run in Annapolis. Reynolds acts as a de facto running back in this scheme.
Reynolds owns the FBS record for most career touchdown runs by a quarterback. In 2014, he led the team with 250 carries for 1,191 yards and an impressive 23 touchdowns.
The quarterback out of Tennessee is the safest bet to reach the 20 touchdown mark of any player mentioned. Not only is he a prolific runner of the football, but Navy's unorthodox offensive scheme poses many problems to its opposition.
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