Predicting Final Order of Finish for 2016 Heisman Trophy
Week 1 of the college football season is underway, and the nation's superstars are starting their trek toward the 2016 Heisman Trophy.
A deep group of elite running backs headline this year's class of top contenders, but a few quarterbacks are also in the conversation. Plus, since five of last season's top seven finishers return, the upcoming Heisman race is expected to be tight.
Odds Shark lists the betting favorites, and we're offering a prediction of how the voting will finish. Each of the players highlighted we project will receive at least 10 first-place votes.
Though several notable players are missing from the list, it's otherwise dominated by familiar names. Breakout players will attempt to join the conversation, but the Heisman winner will likely come from this group.
7. Royce Freeman, Oregon
1 of 7
Perhaps the most overlooked superstar in the country, Royce Freeman is a versatile, steamrolling back. Listed at 6'0" and 229 pounds, he's a nightmare to stop in the open field.
Two years ago, Freeman tallied 1,365 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground. In 2015, Freeman set an Oregon single-season record with 1,836 rushing yards. He also snagged 26 passes for 348 yards, totaling 19 scores.
However, the Ducks trudged to a 9-4 record. Fair or not, unless you're a quarterback—see 2007 Tim Tebow and 2011 Robert Griffin III—that's simply not Heisman material.
But if Dakota Prukop's transition from the Football Championship Subdivision to the Football Bowl Subdivision proceeds as Oregon hopes, the team will provide the necessary boost to propel Freeman into the national scope. He's going to have the numbers.
6. J.T. Barrett, Ohio State
2 of 7
After a year of alternating between Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett, Ohio State has a clear-cut quarterback and a 2014 Heisman contender.
Oregon's Marcus Mariota ran away with the award that season—and deservedly so. But Barrett recorded 2,834 yards and 34 touchdowns through the air, running for 938 yards and 11 scores before a fractured right ankle ended his campaign. He was fifth in the voting.
Though the Buckeyes are undergoing massive transition everywhere, that means they'll heavily rely on Barrett in 2016. More opportunities mean more stats, and Urban Meyer-led teams mean wins.
Barrett probably won't win the Heisman, but if Ohio State reloads as expected, he's certain to garner attention for first-place votes.
5. Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
3 of 7
Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield had an excellent case that merited an invite to New York in 2015. He ended the season with 4,105 total yards and 43 touchdowns, finishing fourth in Heisman voting.
However, the dual-threat quarterback likely won't be as efficient this year. The loss of wide receiver Sterling Shepard cannot be overstated, and Mayfield will lack an elite weapon on the outside.
But still, he's this good. Mayfield registering another top-five Heisman spot would be a tremendous accomplishment.
Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon are an elite backfield combination, but for Oklahoma to defend its Big 12 championship, Mayfield needs to be great. Finishing here suggests that's going to happen.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
4. Dalvin Cook, Florida State
4 of 7
To a lesser degree than Freeman, Dalvin Cook is overlooked. However, the Florida State running back tallied seven first-place votes and a No. 7 Heisman finish in 2015.
Cook scampered for 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, adding 24 receptions for 244 yards and another score.
"He's very versatile," Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson said, per Cory McCartney of Fox Sports South. "He's one of the best running backs in the country. He does a lot of great things. He runs the ball well, he catches the ball well. He does everything."
The Seminoles return their entire offensive line, so Cook should have plenty of running lanes in 2016.
3. Christian McCaffrey, Stanford
5 of 7
How can Christian McCaffrey follow up a record-breaking performance? He amassed a record 3,864 all-purpose yards in 2015.
But there's a better question. If McCaffrey didn't win the Heisman last season with those numbers, how can he this year? Michael Weinreb of The Ringer notes McCaffrey said he's not thinking about it.
"I'm not focused on the Heisman at all, that was so long ago," he said. "Like I said, man, the farthest thing on my mind is the Heisman."
But voters are certainly focused on McCaffrey. The runner-up in 2015, he'll occupy a place in the spotlight all season. McCaffrey won't quite match his numbers, but he'll still grab a top-three finish.
2. Leonard Fournette, LSU
6 of 7
Leonard Fournette wasn't going to win the 2015 Heisman regardless, but would he have received an invite to New York had LSU's season opener against McNeese State not been canceled?
Despite missing the likely 200-plus-yard outing, the bruising back still averaged a nation-leading 162.8 yards per game—though he managed just 31 against Alabama.
Fournette will both appear in a 12th regular-season game and shake the Crimson Tide more regularly in 2016. That doesn't mean the Tigers will win, but Fournette's Heisman candidacy won't suffer.
In many years, his 2016 season would deserve the trophy. The problem is Fournette and everyone else are chasing one man.
1. Deshaun Watson, Clemson
7 of 7
Last season, Watson took a picture with the Heisman before the ceremony. This year, he'll be holding the trophy.
The third-place finisher in 2015, Watson ultimately totaled an FBS-leading 5,214 yards and accounted for 47 touchdowns. Crazily enough, there's a legitimate chance he improves those massive numbers.
Clemson's offense is packed with returning skill-position talent, and Watson is the puppeteer of the explosive unit.
"That guy is the most significantly dominant player that we've played against since Cam Newton in 2010," Alabama coach Nick Saban said on ESPN this summer (h/t Chase Goodbread of NFL.com).
Watson can add the Heisman Trophy to his list of accomplishments before hearing his name called in the first round of the NFL draft.
All recruiting information via 247Sports. 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.
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