Texas Football: Ranking the 5 Best Candidates for the Longhorns' Team MVP

Picking a 2015 MVP for the Texas Longhorns is no easy task.

As evidenced by their 4-7 record, the Horns just haven't had many steady contributors this season. The ones that have been consistent have also struggled to stay on the field.

For example, Charlie Strong's team could be without Jerrod Heard, defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway and linebacker Malik Jefferson for Saturday's matchup with Baylor. The Horns will definitely be missing linebacker Peter Jinkens (torn ACL) as well as running back D'Onta Foreman (hand).

Anyone putting together a list of Texas' most valuable players would be hard-pressed to exclude any of those names.

However, there is one guy who has been excellent, and active, in every game this season. And he's helped transform one of Texas' weaknesses into one of its greatest strengths.

Honorable Mention: RB D'Onta Foreman

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Foreman proved he has MVP-level talent, but he needs a little more work to officially enter this discussion.

Had he been given a full complement of carries, there's a strong chance D'Onta Foreman finishes as Texas' MVP. It's not his fault, but coaching decisions and a late-season injury mean he'll have to wait until next season.

Despite getting less than 10 touches per game, Foreman changed Texas' 2015 season. The sophomore will finish the year with 681 yards and five touchdowns on only 95 carries. Per CFBStats.com, that 7.2 yards per carry ranks 15th in the country among running backs.

Equally impressive is how Foreman got those yards. Despite being more than 240 pounds, the sophomore ranks sixth in the nation with three runs of more than 60 yards, also per CFBStats.com. 

Those big runs alone get Foreman into the conversation as the most valuable player on the team. His 81-yard scamper sealed the victory over Oklahoma, which is easily the biggest win of the Strong era. Foreman also had a 93-yarder that keyed the blowout over Kansas as well as a 65-yarder that gave the Horns a lead against West Virginia.

Unfortunately, in spite of the flashes, Foreman's played six games in which he had less than 10 touches. And after an injury against West Virginia, he'll end up sitting out Texas' last two regular-season games.

The body of work, while impressive, isn't quite enough for serious consideration. That will change next season as he takes over a feature role.

5. QB Jerrod Heard

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Texas fans have to appreciate that the move to Heard gave the Horns a tangible offensive identity.

Taking Jerrod Heard over Tyrone Swoopes and Foreman is one of the toughest calls on this list.

Swoopes, the starter Texas benched in favor of Heard, has excelled in the specialized "18-Wheeler" package. The junior easily leads the team with 14 total touchdowns, including 11 on the ground. And Heard (concussion) is questionable for the Baylor game, according to Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman  (via ESPN.com).

But let's take a look at Heard's impact on the team.

With the redshirt freshman at the helm, Texas came within four total points of knocking off both Cal and Oklahoma State. In the Cal game, Heard set a school record with 527 yards of offense. The dual-threat's 115 rushing yards also paced the win over Oklahoma.

More than anything, Heard brought stability to the position. Texas currently sits at No. 24 in the country in turnover differential, per CFBStats.com. The Horns haven't been top-25 in that statistic since 2009.

Texas also has the nation's No. 19 rushing offense, which would be its first top-25 finish in four years, per CFBStats.com.

So while Heard's had his struggles, his running provided an identity to a mostly dysfunctional offense. You could even argue that without him taking over, Swoopes would have never found a role in which he can excel.

It will be interesting to see what Texas' young quarterback can do with a competent offensive staff.

4. LB Malik Jefferson

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Had Jefferson been able to stay healthy, he would have solidified his status as Texas' best defensive player.

Were it not for a mysterious stomach illness and an ankle injury, there'd be no debate—Malik Jefferson is Texas' best defensive player.

Let's recall the win over Oklahoma, the last time Jefferson was completely healthy. The freshman recorded six tackles (five solo) and two sacks, leading a defense that held the Sooners to season lows of 278 yards and 17 points.

Jefferson received national recognition for his showing that week, as tweeted by Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman: "Texas LB Malik Jefferson has been named the Walter Camp national defensive player of the week. Had 6 tackles, 2 sacks vs. OU."

For one reason or another, Jefferson hasn't been the same since. The star linebacker played through a severe stomach illness for the next four games, then rolled his ankle against Texas Tech. 

The most recent loss to Texas Tech serves as a prime example of Jefferson's on-field impact. Prior to his injury midway through the second quarter, the Red Raiders' only score was Jakeem Grant's fluky touchdown off of a deflected interception. With Jefferson out of the way, the Red Raiders would pour on 41 points en route to a 48-45 victory.

When Jefferson's out there, his rare blend of size, speed and instincts allows him to move all over the front seven. His ability to rush the passer, drop into coverage or simply fill a gap from anywhere in the formation gives Texas a real weapon on defense. Without him, it becomes much easier for opposing offenses to pick the Horns apart.

The good news is that 2015's prized recruit is absolutely the real deal. He's going to be a candidate for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year for however long he stays.

3. DT Hassan Ridgeway

His production isn't quite what it was during his breakout 2014 season, but Hassan Ridgeway has been invaluable to the Texas front.

When healthy, Ridgeway's as good as any defensive tackle in the country. He's explosive enough to blow up plays in the backfield but has the strength to hold double-teams at the point of attack. At 6'3", 314 pounds, he's just an impressive physical specimen. "Ridgeway is unblockable. Eats double teams as a snack. #HookEm," tweeted Justin Wells of Inside Texas.

That said, health has been an issue for the junior. He was hampered early in the year by a back injury, hurt his shoulder against Oklahoma and left the Texas Tech game with an ankle issue. With so many nagging injuries, it's been difficult for him to stuff the stats like he did as a sophomore.

"Jinkens on crutches. Ridgeway on sideline trying to put weight on leg, and struggling. Red Raiders running roughshod where they once were," tweeted Mike Finger of the SA Express-News/Houston Chronicle.

But even with those maladies, Ridgeway has been Texas' best defensive lineman by a wide margin. Should he declare for the draft, he's probably going to be the only Longhorn selected in 2016.

2. LB Peter Jinkens

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Prior to his injury, Jinkens (19) had been Texas' most consistent defender in 2015.

Ending his Longhorn career with a bang, Peter Jinkens' senior resume speaks for itself.

Texas' outside linebacker has been one of the best stories of the season. The senior leads the team in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. And barring some enormous performances in the finale against Baylor, he'll finish as the leader even though he'll sit out.

From a leadership and production standpoint, Jinkens has been Texas' most consistent player all year. Nobody could have seen that coming during the offseason.

After the season he's had, it's heartbreaking to see Jinkens go down with a torn ACL that probably ends his football career. He's been tremendous and deserves All-Big 12 consideration.

1. OT Connor Williams

Texas' offensive line was supposed to be a weakness in 2015. Instead, its emergence shaped the identity of the team with freshman Connor Williams leading the way.

In 2014, the Longhorns averaged only 137 yards per game on 3.77 yards per carry. Those figures ranked 101st and 93rd in the nation, respectively, per CFBStats.com.  This season, the Horns are a top-20 offense in both categories, almost exclusively riding their rushing attack to move the ball.

The biggest difference? The insertion of Williams, a 3-star recruit, according to 247Sports.com, at the left-tackle spot over senior Marcus Hutchins.

A mauler with quick feet, Williams has been Texas' best offensive lineman all season. Pro Football Focus named him to its midseason All-Freshmen Team and offered the following assessment in late October:

"

With Marcus Hutchins struggling mightily at left tackle last year, the door was wide open for Williams to steal away the starting job, and that’s exactly what he did. Williams has started every game this year for the Longhorns and has yet to grade out negatively, earning an impressive +9.1 overall grade through seven weeks of play. Williams has shown particular effectiveness when pass-blocking (+6.0), ranking in the top 10 nationally among offensive tackles and surrendering only seven pressures versus the 14 Hutchins had allowed midway through last season.

"

Williams gets the most credit for his pass-blocking, but he's been the key factor in stabilizing the line. Per offensive coordinator Jay Norvell (h/t 247Sports' Jeff Howe), the Horns know they don't need to worry about him, freeing the rest of the line to do its job. 

Ryan Bridges of Longhorns Radio tweeted, "In Texas' first two series I've seen Connor Williams pancake Sheldon Day and lock on and drive Jaylon Smith, both projected first-rounders."

In Williams, Texas has a burgeoning franchise left tackle. Already a steady, every-week presence up front, he's currently the most irreplaceable player on the roster.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats and information courtesy of TexasSports.com.