College Football Recruits Who Could Contend for the Heisman Trophy
It wasn't long ago—three seasons, actually—when Derrick Henry was the power back of power backs at Yulee High School in Florida, a 5-star athlete with the body of a budding defensive end and the speed of a scatback.
Fast forward to Monday, and he's in his second day of being Derrick Henry, Heisman Trophy Winner.
Henry made his mark as a 6'3", 242-pound running back for Alabama, and his efforts were rewarded on Saturday with college football's most prestigious individual honor. He received 1,832 points from the voters, nearly 300 points more than all-purpose back Christian McCaffrey from Stanford.
It's almost every kid's dream to win the Heisman, but only a handful get to actually be included in the finalist discussion, let alone get invited to New York for the presentation. It's still early, but with the talent in the 2016 class, there are a few players who have what it takes physically and mentally to one day shake Henry's hand as a fellow Heisman winner.
Here are 10 players from the 2016 class to keep an eye on for the next three or four years. The athletes are listed in alphabetical order.
4-Star QB K.J. Costello
1 of 10
Hometown (school): Rancho Santa Margarita, California (Santa Margarita Catholic)
Size: 6'4", 213 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 44 overall (No. 4 PRO)
Committed to Stanford
Stanford has been a bridesmaid in the Heisman race since 2009. The Cardinal has watched Toby Gerhart, Andrew Luck (twice) and now Christian McCaffrey finish as a runner-up. This could be a great opportunity for K.J. Costello to rise up—assuming McCaffrey doesn't win it next year.
Costello has all the intangibles to be great at the next level, from size to footwork to his cannon of an arm. He'll have a chance to see playing time early, and if he's able to win over the starting spot, look for him to put up numbers in a conference that likes to score points in bunches.
5-Star QB Jacob Eason
2 of 10
Hometown (school): Lake Stevens, Washington (Lake Stevens HS)
Size: 6'5", 217 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 4 overall (No. 1 PRO)
Committed to Georgia
The expectations are there for Jacob Eason. He has all of the measurables, and many believe that the minute he gets on a college campus, he'll challenge for a starting position.
The question is, where? Eason has been a longtime Georgia commit, but Florida has worked its way into Eason's recruiting. Whether it's done in a Bulldogs uniform or a Gators uniform, look for Eason to be a big-time talent in the SEC and someone who could be in the running for college football's biggest individual prize.
4-Star RB B.J. Emmons
3 of 10
Hometown (school): Morganton, North Carolina (Freedom HS)
Size: 5'10", 232 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 91 overall (No. 3 RB)
Committed to Alabama
Don't think that B.J. Emmons isn't doing the math in his head. A heavy dose of the run gain plus quality offensive linemen to run behind equals opportunity for huge numbers as an Alabama running back. It worked for Mark Ingram in 2009, and it worked for Derrick Henry on Saturday.
Emmons has the talent to be just as good as the Heisman winners representing the Crimson Tide. He's a burly back, which makes him difficult for one defender to tackle. He's also as quick as he is strong. Emmons is a definite target to keep an eye on in the next couple of years.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
5-Star APB Tavien Feaster
4 of 10
Hometown (school): Spartanburg, South Carolina (Spartanburg HS)
Size: 6'0", 204 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 13 overall (No. 1 APB)
Committed to Clemson
Like Christian McCaffrey, Tavien Feaster is a do-it-all athlete. He will get you tons of yards rushing, and he can be a reliable receiver out of the backfield, as well as lined up in the slot.
Most importantly, Feaster scores touchdowns. Lots of them. Versatile running backs who know how to get into the end zone at the college level are prime candidates for getting invitations to New York. Feaster hopes to one day be one of those athletes.
4-Star QB Feleipe Franks
5 of 10
Hometown (school): Crawfordville, Florida (Wakulla HS)
Size: 6'5", 220 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 43 overall (No. 3 PRO)
Committed to Florida
Watching Feleipe Franks play often times is like watching him see and play the game in slow motion—and that's a good thing. Everything seems to flow smoothly with Franks at quarterback. And if he's able to control the tempo on a college level the same way he's done in high school, it could mean very good things for Florida.
Franks' ability to extend plays may be his calling card at the next level. Colleges like his accuracy, size and pocket presence, but keeping a play alive in an effort to move the chains will be a beneficial trait that could lead him to a Heisman-watch opportunity one day.
4-Star QB Jarrett Guarantano
6 of 10
Hometown (school): Oradell, New Jersey (Bergen Catholic)
Size: 6'4", 194 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 69 (No. 1 DUAL)
Committed to Tennessee
Want to know why Jarrett Guarantano could be somebody to watch in the future? Because everybody would be expecting someone else. That's exactly the way he likes it: Be the underdog, and then strike when nobody's paying full attention.
Guarantano is a dangerous athlete with his arm and with his legs. He'll have a chance to put the Volunteers on his back upon the departure of Josh Dobbs, and many expect Guarantano to run with the opportunity.
5-Star QB Shea Patterson
7 of 10
Hometown (school): Bradenton, Florida (IMG Academy)
Size: 6'2", 195 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 5 overall (No. 2 PRO)
Committed to Ole Miss
A good Heisman candidate must be a leader, and Shea Patterson is one of the best leaders of the 2016 class. It only enhances his argument that he's one outstanding quarterback prospect.
Patterson was the signal-caller for a loaded IMG team, and he is expected to be Ole Miss' starter early in his career. It's his arm strength, accuracy, poise and ability to get out of trouble in the pocket that makes him one to watch.
4-Star RB Miles Sanders
8 of 10
Hometown (school): Pittsburgh (Woodland Hills)
Size: 5'11", 199 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 40 (No. 2 RB)
Committed to Penn State
You have to like the guys who commit early and stay committed to a program. They have plenty of time to get acquainted with the schemes and prepare themselves for the next level. Miles Sanders has been committed to Penn State since July 19, 2014, and he's been studying James Franklin's offense for quite some time.
Sanders has the shiftiness of a smaller back and the power of a jumbo back. It's his ability to use all of his assets—including great field vision and acceleration—that makes him one to watch for the future.
5-Star CB Levonta Taylor
9 of 10
Hometown (school): Virginia Beach, Virginia (Ocean Lakes HS)
Size: 5'11", 182 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 7 overall (No. 1 CB)
Committed to Florida State
Let's say a defensive player ultimately wins the Heisman. When Charles Woodson won the award in 1997, many considered him a two-way player, even though he did most of his work as a defensive back.
It's a stretch to say Levonta Taylor could be that defensive back to win the coveted honor—or is it? Taylor is every bit as dynamic as a quarterback, running back or wide receiver capable of winning the Heisman. It'll take a special playmaker to win it on the defensive side of the ball, but Taylor could be that special athlete.
4-Star RB Kareem Walker
10 of 10
Hometown (school): Wayne, New Jersey (DePaul Catholic)
Size: 6'1", 210 lbs
247Sports.com composite ranking: No. 39 overall (No. 1 RB)
Uncommitted
Every good college football team has a reliable running back, and Kareem Walker is one of the hottest targets in all of recruiting because of what he can contribute to the ground game. A one-time Ohio State commit, Walker has more than 20 reported offers and could be nearing a decision soon.
Michigan and Florida State are believed to be the front-runners for Walker. The Wolverines are a favorite overall, and if Jim Harbaugh can land Walker, it would be a big recruiting win, particularly against Michigan's archrival.
Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
