8 Juniors with the Best Shot at the Heisman Trophy in 2016

A junior has taken home the Heisman Trophy in four of the last six years, and there's an excellent chance that trend continues during the 2016 season.

While we recently highlighted a select group of seniors, the current crop of juniors is practically a who's who of college football.

Four of the top seven Heisman finishers from 2015 are back this year, and three former third-team All-Americans join them. Rounding out the group is a running back who, barring injury last season, likely would've earned a similar accolade.

Additionally, as much as we'd love to include Myles Garrett or Derek Barnett, a defender hasn't lifted the Heisman since 1997. They're outstanding players, but that's simply not happening.

Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

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Two key factors stand in the way of Nick Chubb competing for the Heisman: recovery and Sony Michel. Chubb has one primary positive, though: He's really good at football.

How's that for analysis?

Chubb racked up 1,547 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns as a freshman, adding 18 catches for 213 yards and two scores. Before a significant knee injury ended his sophomore campaign, Chubb had 747 yards and seven scores in just five-plus games.

Jason Butt of the Macon Telegraph noted Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Chubb is on schedule in his recovery. The junior is even a limited participant this spring.

There's a legitimate chance Chubb doesn't log enough carries to merit a Heisman invitation, especially since he'll share the backfield with Michel. Still, Chubb has a career per-carry average of 7.4 yards. That level of production is impossible to ignore.

Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

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Oklahoma also has a timeshare in the backfield, but Samaje Perine is a special talent.

After shredding opponents for 1,713 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2014, he split carries with Baker Mayfield and Joe Mixon last season. Still, Perine managed 1,349 yards and 16 scores despite a curiously slow opening stretch.

During the first six contests, he totaled a mere 420 yards and scored only three times over 93 carries. Throughout the final seven games, Perine tallied 929 yards and 13 touchdowns on 123 attempts.

Sustaining output like that for an entire season certainly is difficult, but a fast start in the Sooners' uptempo offense should keep Perine in the Heisman conversation.

Royce Freeman, RB, Oregon

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How much attention would Royce Freeman have received if Vernon Adams had stayed healthy and kept Oregon in its winning ways?

Although we can't answer that hypothetical question with any shred of certainty, the numbers suggest Freeman at least deserved a mention.

He was fourth in the country with 1,836 rushing yards and tallied 17 touchdowns, grabbing 26 passes for 348 yards and two more scores. The 5'11", 230-pound bulldozer topped the 100-yard barrier 11 times and never recorded fewer than 77 yet wasn't a top-10 Heisman finisher.

Fair or not, Freeman's national notoriety may depend on Dakota Prukop's—and subsequently, the Ducks'—performance. But assuming health, it's safe to project another outstanding year from Freeman.

J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State

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In 2014, J.T. Barrett accumulated massive numbers en route to a fifth-place Heisman finish while surrounded with a new crop of talent. This year, the story could be the same.

Ezekiel Elliott, Michael Thomas, Jalin Marshall and Braxton Miller are headed to the NFL, leaving potential-filled but completely unproven players such as Mike Weber, Parris Campbell, Noah Brown, K.J. Hill, Torrance Gibson and Austin Mack.

If Ohio State excels anyway, the signal-caller will receive most of the on-field credit.

Barrett is the undisputed starter for 2016. When that was the case two seasons ago, he compiled 2,834 yards and 34 touchdowns through the air, as well as 938 and 11 on the ground, respectively.

Anything close to those numbers after an offseason full of departures will likely land Barrett an invitation to New York.

Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State

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Hamstring and ankle injuries slowed Dalvin Cook during the 2015 campaign. "Slowed" is a relative term, of course.

The Florida State standout amassed 1,691 yards—with a 7.4 per-carry clip that ranked second nationally among backs with at least 100 carries—and 19 touchdowns. Cook snared 24 passes for 244 yards and a score, too.

Looking ahead to 2016, the entire offensive line returns. Although the unit struggled at times last season, a year of development up front figures to benefit all parties involved.

That might translate to a 2,000-yard output and some legendary hardware for Cook.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

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Derrick Henry deserved the Heisman. Christian McCaffrey did, too. Henry declared for the NFL draft. McCaffrey wasn't eligible.

Hopefully, the voters don't go to sleep before Stanford takes the field in 2016. Otherwise, they'll be missing a weekly show.

McCaffrey raced to 2,019 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, tallied 45 receptions for 645 yards and five scores, averaged 28.9 yards per kick return and added a pair of special teams touchdowns. He set the NCAA all-purpose yardage record.

The Cardinal must replace a couple of starters on the offensive line, but McCaffrey's versatility should help him avoid being completely silenced in any game.

Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

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The expectation for LSU in 2016 is a national title. Returning starters and a home-heavy schedule will aid that pursuit.

But Leonard Fournette is the No. 1 reason for the hype.

A 6'1", 230-pound wrecking ball, Fournette bashed defenders and gashed opponents for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. He also had 19 receptions, 253 yards and one trip to the end zone.

Fournette, who needs 1,570 yards and 15 scores to set program career records, will rumble his way to New York with another dominant year—especially if the Tigers match their predicted success.

Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

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In 2015, Deshaun Watson recorded the first season in NCAA history with more than 4,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards. The quarterback finished No. 3 in Heisman voting.

What's next?

Leading receiver Artavis Scott returns, and Mike Williams will be healthy after essentially missing the entire year. Wayne Gallman, Jordan Leggett, Hunter Renfrow, Ray-Ray McCloud and (hopefully) Deon Cain are back, too.

Watson is bound for huge numbers, and Clemson is in no danger of leaving the nation's radar. He has a terrific opportunity to become the first player in school history to lift the Heisman.

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Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.