Top Recruits Make Predictions for College Football Playoff, Heisman Trophy

Tyler DonohueAug 30, 2016

The 2016 college football season carries several compelling storylines as action kicks off across America this weekend.

Years of preparation on the practice field and recruiting trail have put programs and players in position to make 2016 their finest campaign to this point. Still, despite all that attention to detail, fans and analysts alike are left to wonder how things will ultimately develop deep into autumn and beyond.

Which team is primed to claim a national title following the third installment of a College Football Playoff?

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Who will step up and surge toward arguably the game's greatest individual achievement, hoisting a Heisman Trophy in New York City?

These are the questions we posed to college football's upcoming wave of playmakers. Premier high school prospects representing the 2017, 2018 and 2019 recruiting classes responded in large numbers.

Bleacher Report spoke with 121 total recruits, including 73 who are considered top-10 overall prospects at their respective position. These talented teens carry more than 1,000 combined collegiate scholarship offers, and plenty will impact the College Football Playoff chase and Heisman Trophy ballot during years to come.

A rundown of recruits who weighed in on these subjects can be found at the bottom of this piece. Not all provided both predictions, but each chose at least a national champion or Heisman Trophy winner.

Heisman Trophy Predictions

The 2016 Heisman winner is guaranteed to be a first-time recipient following an early college exit from last year's choice. Alabama running back Derrick Henry, who rushed for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns while serving as offensive catalyst during the Crimson Tide's latest title run, entered the NFL draft after his junior season and joined 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota on the Tennessee Titans.

Fellow 2015 finalists Deshaun Watson and Christian McCaffrey figure to make strong cases for a return trip to Manhattan.

Watson, a junior quarterback at Clemson, completed nearly 68 percent of passes for 4,109 yards and 35 touchdowns last season. He added 1,105 yards and 12 scores on the ground, warranting recent praise from Alabama head coach Nick Saban as "the best player in college football since Cam Newton."

McCaffrey is coming off a historically dominant sophomore season. The do-it-all Stanford running back broke legend Barry Sanders' single-season all-purpose yardage record (which is now set at 3,864), and his ability to make an impact as a rusher, receiver and special teams returner keeps opponents on their toes throughout a matchup.

He helps headline a group of 2014 running back recruits who've quickly become superstars in college. Classmates Leonard Fournette (LSU), Dalvin Cook (Florida State), Nick Chubb (Georgia) and Royce Freeman (Oregon) are also considered top-10 contenders to claim the Heisman Trophy, according to Odds Shark.

Meanwhile, J.T. Barrett (Ohio State), Chad Kelly (Ole Miss), Josh Rosen (UCLA) and Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma) are among passers who could challenge Watson as Heisman candidates at quarterback.

Here's how our polled prospects envision the Heisman Trophy hierarchy, listing each player who received multiple votes:

Name	School	Heisman Predictions
QB Deshaun Watson	Clemson	42
RB Christian McCaffrey	Stanford	26
RB Leonard Fournette	LSU	16
RB Dalvin Cook	Florida State	11
QB Baker Mayfield	Oklahoma	3
RB Nick Chubb	Georgia	2
ATH Adoree' Jackson	USC	2
ATH Jabrill Peppers	Michigan	2

The Case for Watson

"After seeing him work out at the Elite 11 and the QB retreat, I see why he is the top QB in college football. As long as he stays healthy and puts Clemson in the playoff he will win it over McCaffery." — Elite 11 finalist Chase Garbers

"He's the best QB since Cam Newton." — 4-star TE Keldrick Carper

"There is not a more dynamic playmaker in college football. The supporting cast he has around him, from the offensive line to the receivers, will give him the best advantage to get the job done." — 4-star OL Matt Bockhorst

"He's a straight baller." — 4-star QB Ryan Kelley

"He will explode for his final year." — Elite 11 finalist Mac Jones

"The dude was unreal last year and I think he'll do the same this year." — No. 1 2019 QB JT Daniels

The Case for McCaffrey

"Most dangerous man on the field at all times." — 4-star S Jaylen Kelly-Powell

"He's just a freak." — 4-star OL Brett Neilon

"McCaffrey should've won it last year so I know he's got a bitter taste in his mouth to come back and win it this year." — 3-star OL Dayln Wade-Perry

"I think he got snubbed last year and I don't think it'll happen again. The guy can do it all." — 3-star DT Aeneas Hawkins

"He's a versatile back who can run, block and posses a threat as a receiver. Everything you want in a back in today's game." — 4-star ATH Josh McKenzie

"He excels at everything he does." — No. 1 2019 S Brian Williams

The Case for Others

Fournette: "He was a man among boys as a [freshman and sophomore]. It's only going to get worse." — 4-star CB Lamont Wade

Cook: "He has one of the best combinations of speed and power. His vision is ridiculous, which makes him stand out even more." — No. 1 2018 LB Teradja Mitchell

Mayfield: "Boy is a baller [who] can turn nothing into something on the field. Shows great determination." — 3-star LB Kenneth Murray

Jackson: "He is an incredible football player. He can play almost any position and he tried out for the Olympics [for long jump] in college." — No. 1 overall 2019 recruit Kayvon Thibodeaux

National Championship Predictions

Alabama and Clemson battled back and forth throughout an entertaining national title showdown last January. Few would be shocked if a rematch occurs in the aftermath of another college football season, though key departures from both rosters force respective staffs to evolve moving forward.

The Crimson Tide are the only squad to appear in each of the first two College Football Playoff tournaments, while programs such as Ohio State and Oklahoma aim to join Clemson in the pursuit of a second postseason selection.

Our prospect poll provides further evidence that Alabama and Clemson are considered favorites entering the fall. Nick Saban is searching for his sixth national championship (fifth with the Crimson Tide), while Dabo Swinney can solidify his status as a coaching superstar by leading the Tigers to a title.

Here's a look at who recruits expect to see on the winner's podium when the dust settles Jan. 9 in Tampa, Florida, identifying each program that received multiple championship predictions:

School	Championship Predictions
Clemson	29
Alabama	26
LSU	11
Ohio State	9
Oklahoma	6
Tennessee	6
Florida State	4
Michigan	3
Florida	2
Notre Dame	2
Stanford	2

The Case for Clemson

"Dabo Sweeney is one of the best coaches in college football and he's going to prepare his team to take it all this year. They took a tough loss to Alabama last year but I think the outcome will be different." — 4-star ATH Josh McKenzie

"They have something to prove this year." — 4-star RB Cordarrian Richardson

"They are extremely tough in the trenches and have a great leader in Deshaun Watson." — 4-star LB Charles Thomas

"They have the most key returners to make a run at a title, and seeing what they did last year gives me a lot of confidence in them as this year they are more experienced and possibly even more talented." — 4-star OL Matt Bockhorst

"Several returning starters, strong and athletic offensive linemen, great leadership at the QB position." — 4-star OL EJ Ndoma-Ogar

"[They] have a stud QB returning. … Watson is a game changer." — Elite 11 finalist Tommy DeVito

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is searching for his sixth national title.

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

The Case for Alabama

"They have the best players and coaches in the country. They don't lose talent, they rebuild." — 4-star QB Artur Sitkowski

"They're too deep." — 4-star OL Brett Neilon

"I can't root against Coach Saban." — 4-star OL Tommy Brown

"Nick Saban is a great coach and their defense is unreal. They don't have a QB yet but it doesn't matter because the offense is filled with playmakers." — Elite 11 finalist Chase Garbers

"They've done it before, and they know what it takes. They have their act together." — 4-star LB J.D. Bertrand

"Nick Saban is undefeated in championships and if he gets there he's not losing." — 5-star OL Jackson Carman

The Case for Others

Ohio State: "They play a tough schedule in the Big Ten, but if they can get out of it then I don't see anyone beating them. They've got a great QB and leader back in J.T." — 3-star Aeneas Hawkins

Stanford: "Last year they were a couple games short of the playoffs, losing the opener to Northwestern—fluke—and then the overtime thriller to Oregon—another fluke—but they showed that they can dominate the big boys when they blew out Iowa in the Rose Bowl. This year I think they can finally put it all together." — 3-star OL Dayln Wade-Perry

Tennessee: "The Vols now have veterans on offense and defense with a great coaching staff and schemes." — 3-star QB Re-al Mitchell

LSU: "You can never really count out LSU, and after they leveled out all the bumps and bruises in the program it's like they are the ones that have that fire burning to go snap the 'Bama reign." — 4-star WR Jeremiah Holloman

Poll Participants

Class of 2017 (45 prospects)

No. 6 athlete Markquese Bell (Bridgeton, New Jersey)
No. 4 athlete Tray Bishop (Dawson, Georgia)
No. 17 receiver Tarik Black (Cheshire, Connecticut)
No. 14 offensive guard Matt Bockhorst (Cincinnati)
No. 10 safety Bubba Bolden (Las Vegas)
No. 43 offensive guard Owen Bowles (Egg Harbor City, New Jersey)
No. 20 athlete Keldrick Carper (Plain Dealing, Louisiana)
No. 3 running back Stephen Carr (Fontana, California)
No. 15 pro-style quarterback Tommy DeVito (Ramsey, New Jersey)
No. 4 inside linebacker Levi Draper (Collinsville, Oklahoma)
No. 7 weak-side defensive tackle Hunter Echols (Los Angeles)
No. 16 pro-style quarterback Chase Garbers (Newport Beach, California)
No. 28 strong-side defensive end Jonathan Garvin (Lake Worth, Florida)
No. 6 cornerback Thomas Graham (Rancho Cucamonga, California)
No. 25 receiver Daquon Green (Tampa, Florida)
No. 23 receiver Jeremiah Holloman (Covington, Georgia)
No. 4 all-purpose back Chase Hayden (Collierville, Tennessee)
No. 11 pro-style quarterback Kasim Hill (Baltimore)
No. 18 receiver Hezekiah Jones (Stafford, Texas)
No. 13 outside linebacker Levi Jones (Austin, Texas)
No. 14 pro-style quarterback Mac Jones (Jacksonville, Florida)
No. 9 pro-style quarterback Ryan Kelley (Chandler, Arizona)
No. 25 pro-style quarterback Tyler Lytle (Anaheim, California)
No. 20 safety Jaylen Kelly-Powell (Detroit)
No. 19 tight end Alexander Marshall (Bridgton, Maine)
No. 44 outside linebacker Kenneth Murray (Missouri City, Texas)
No. 2 offensive center Brett Neilon (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
No. 10 strong-side defensive end Joshua Paschal (Olney, Maryland)
No. 7 dual-threat quarterback N'Kosi Perry (Ocala, Florida)
No. 45 pro-style quarterback Kenny Pickett (Oakhurst, New Jersey)
No. 18 cornerback William Poole III (Atlanta)
No. 5 running back Cordarrian Richardson (Memphis, Tennessee)
No. 5 inside linebacker Avery Roberts (Wilmington, Delaware)
No. 9 receiver James Robinson (Lakeland, Florida)
No. 5 dual-threat quarterback Shawn Robinson (DeSoto, Texas)
No. 26 receiver Tyrell Shavers (Lewisville, Texas)
No. 20 outside linebacker Antjuan Simmons (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
No. 18 defensive tackle Cam Spence (Washington, D.C.)
No. 2 safety JaCoby Stevens (Murfreesboro, Tennessee)
No. 50 running back Kurt Taylor (Convington, Georgia)
No. 5 cornerback Lamont Wade (Clairton, Pennsylvania)
No. 29 defensive tackle Dayln Wade-Perry (Sparta, New Jersey)
No. 8 strong-side defensive end MJ Webb (Madison, Georgia)
No. 9 offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson (Brooklyn, New York)
No. 26 weak-side defensive end Jordan Wright (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

Class of 2018 (41 prospects)

No. 2 cornerback Derrik Allen (Marietta, Georgia)
No. 15 cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (Mobile, Alabama)
No. 7 offensive tackle Tommy Brown (Santa Ana, California)
No. 12 cornerback Tyson Campbell (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
No. 3 offensive tackle Jackson Carman (Fairfield, Ohio)
No. 12 pro-style quarterback Zadock Dinkelmann (Somerset, Texas)
No. 4 offensive guard Emil Ekiyor (Indianapolis)
No. 23 outside linebacker Eriq Gilyard (Jacksonville, Florida)
No. 35 defensive tackle Aeneas Hawkins (Cincinnati)
No. 2 inside linebacker Dax Hollifield (Shelby, North Carolina)
No. 1 safety Tyreke Johnson (Jacksonville, Florida)
No. 2 running back Lorenzo Lingard (Orange City, Florida)
No. 12 running back Asa Martin (Bradenton, Florida)
No. 27 safety Cam Jones (Euless, Texas)
No. 10 outside linebacker Mike Jones (Bradenton, Florida)
No. 18 pro-style quarterback Devin Leary (Sicklerville, New Jersey)
No. 9 pro-style quarterback Tanner McKee (Corona, California)
No. 26 cornerback Verone McKinley III (Carrollton, Texas)
No. 23 dual-threat quarterback Re-al Mitchell (Bellflower, California)
No. 1 inside linebacker Teradja Mitchell (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
No. 31 cornerback Ken Montgomery (Tampa, Florida)
No. 5 tight end Mustapha Muhammad (Missouri City, Texas)
No. 10 pro-style quarterback Connor Noland (Greenwood, Arkansas)
No. 3 receiver Jalen Preston (Manvel, Texas)
No. 5 pro-style quarterback Cameron Rising (Newbury Park, California)
No. 9 offensive tackle Penei Sewell (Saint George, Utah)
No. 15 tight end Zach Sheffer (Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida)
No. 6 all-purpose back Shaun Shivers (Hollywood, Florida)
No. 5 offensive tackle Darrell Simpson (Justin, Texas)
No. 3 pro-style quarterback Jacob Sirmon (Bothell, Washington)
No. 4 pro-style quarterback Artur Sitkowski (Old Bridge, New Jersey)
No. 9 running back Markese Stepp (Indianapolis)
No. 1 cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
No. 21 athlete Alontae Taylor (Manchester, Tennessee)
No. 6 cornerback Isaac Taylor-Stuart (San Diego)
No. 4 dual-threat quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Las Vegas)
No. 10 defensive tackle Trevor Trout (St. Louis)
No. 6 outside linebacker Solomon Tuliaupupu (Claremont, California)
No. 13 running back Ronnie Walker (Hopewell, Virginia)
No. 2 athlete Xavier Williams (Hollywood, Florida)
No. 1 defensive tackle Taron Vincent (Bradenton, Florida)

Class of 2019 (35 prospects)

No. 11 athlete Marquez Beason (Dallas)
No. 4 outside linebacker J.D. Bertrand (Roswell, Georgia)
No. 1 running back Noah Cain (Denton, Texas)
No. 10 offensive tackle Andrew Coker (Katy, Texas)
No. 1 pro-style quarterback JT Daniels (Santa Ana, California)
No. 1 offensive tackle Devontae Dobbs (Belleville, Michigan)
No. 1 tight end Isaiah Foskey (Concord, California)
No. 6 outside linebacker Mase Funa (Spanish Fork, Utah)
No. 5 safety Brendan Gant (Lakeland, Florida)
No. 8 athlete Andre Gordon (Sidney, Ohio)
No. 8 offensive tackle Kenyon Green (Humble, Texas)
No. 3 pro-style quarterback Grant Gunnell (Houston)
No. 2 cornerback Maurice Hampton (Memphis, Tennessee)
No. 2 receiver Jadon Haselwood (Ellenwood, Georgia)
No. 2 weak-side defensive end Stephen Herron Jr. (Louisville, Kentucky)
No. 1 dual-threat quarterback Michael Johnson Jr. (Sunnyvale, California)
No. 1 offensive guard Keiondre Jones (Hogansville, Georgia)
No. 3 outside linebacker Mikel Jones (Hialeah, Florida)
No. 4 offensive guard Dontae Lucas (Miami)
No. 3 offensive tackle Warren McClendon (Brunswick, Georgia)
No. 7 athlete Josh McKenzie (Oradell, New Jersey)
No. 2 safety Jaleel McRae (New Smyrna Beach, Florida)
No. 3 offensive guard EJ Ndoma-Ogar (Bradenton, Florida)
No. 10 receiver Trey Palmer (Kentwood, Louisiana)
No. 1 outside linebacker Owen Pappoe (Loganville, Georgia)
No. 13 receiver Jacoby Pinckney (Roebuck, South Carolina)
No. 11 receiver Kendrell Scurry (Thompson's Station, Tennessee)
No. 1 receiver Jashawn Sheffield (Saint Simons Island, Georgia)
No. 4 weak-side defensive end Nolan Smith (Savannah, Georgia)
No. 7 cornerback Derek Stingley (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
No. 1 weak-side defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux (Los Angeles)
No. 4 inside linebacker Charles Thomas (Fairburn, Georgia)
No. 14 receiver Theo Wease (Allen, Texas)
No. 1 safety Brian Williams (Dallas)
No. 6 running back Deyvon Wright (Huntington Station, New York)

Quotes and predictions obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings.

Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.