Top College Football Recruits Pick Playoff Champion, Heisman Trophy Winner

These past three months have been entertaining and unpredictable, but the 2016 college football season has officially reached crunch time.

Just four teams—Alabama, Clemson, Ohio State and Washington—remain in the mix for a national title. This is the Crimson Tide's third straight College Football Playoff appearance, while the Tigers and Buckeyes each enter the tournament a second time and the Huskies debut.

Playoff action starts Dec. 31 when top-ranked Alabama faces Washington and Ohio State clashes with Clemson. A national champion will be crowned Jan. 9 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

There is also individual glory up for grabs Saturday when the Heisman Trophy ceremony takes center stage in New York City. There are five finalists vying for college football's most prestigious personal honor—Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and Oklahoma receiver Dede Westbrook.

Coaches, players and media analysts have spent plenty of time discussing the ultimate outcome of playoff competition and Heisman Trophy voting, but we went to college football's future for further insight.

Bleacher Report conducted its second annual prospect poll this week, asking premier high school players to pick a national champion and Heisman Trophy winner. The feedback comes from more than 70 juniors and seniors—many verbally committed to college programs and each carrying several scholarship offers.

While playoff polling was obviously limited to four options, we opened the door for recruits to choose Heisman Trophy winners who didn't make the committee's cut for ceremony inclusion. To remove bias as best we could, B/R did not include championship responses from prospects pledged to playoff competitors or Heisman Trophy selections from those committed to a team represented in the race.

Here's a rundown of recruits who participated in polling.

Class of 2017

• QB Tate Martell (Las Vegas)
• DB Richard LeCounte III (Hinesville, Georgia)
• RB Najee Harris (Antioch, California)
• RB Eno Benjamin (Wylie, Texas)
• DL Jaelan Phillips (Redlands, California)
• DB Devon Hunter (Chesapeake, Virginia)
• OL Andrew Thomas (Atlanta)
• QB Chase Garbers (Newport Beach, California)
• DL Dalyn Wade-Perry (Sparta, New Jersey)
• DB Jaylen Kelly-Powell (Detroit)
• DL Elijah Conliffe (Hampton, Virginia)
• OL Brett Neilon (Rancho Santa Margarita, California)
• RB A.J. Dillon (Groton, Massachusetts)
• OL Isaiah Wilson (Brooklyn, New York)
• WR OrTre Smith (Mount Pleasant, South Carolina)
• OL Johnny Jordan (Washington, D.C.)
• QB Tommy DeVito (Ramsey, New Jersey)
• DL MJ Webb (Madison, Georgia)
• QB Shawn Robinson (DeSoto, Texas)
• WR Jordan Pouncey (Winter Park, Florida)
• WR Jeremiah Holloman (Covington, Georgia)
• LB Levi Draper (Collinsville, Oklahoma)
• QB Kasim Hill (Washington, D.C.)
• DL Drew Jordan (Suwanee, Georgia)
• TE Tre' McKitty (Bradenton, Florida)
• QB Kenny Pickett (Oakhurst, New Jersey)
• RB Stephen Carr (Fontana, California)
• QB Sean Clifford (Cincinnati)
• ATH Tray Bishop (Dawson, Georgia)
• OL Carter Warren (Wayne, New Jersey)
• ATH Roshauud Paul (Bremond, Texas)
• TE Colby Parkinson (Westlake Village, California)
• DL LaBryan Ray (Madison, Alabama)
• LB Jordan Anthony (Bradenton, Texas)
• RB Chase Hayden (Collierville, Tennessee)
• QB Ryan Kelley (Chandler, Arizona)
• RB Khalan Laborn (Virginia Beach, Virginia)
• LB Levi Jones (Austin, Texas)
• DL Joshua Paschal (Olney, Maryland)

Class of 2018

• DB Tyreke Johnson (Jacksonville, Florida)
• QB Artur Sitkowski (Old Bridge, New Jersey)
• DL Malik Vann (Fairfield, Ohio)
• WR Xavier Williams (Hollywood, Florida)
• OL Tommy Brown (Santa Ana, California)
• TE Zack Kuntz (Camp Hill, Pennsylvania)
• RB Markese Stepp (Indianapolis)
• LB Alston Orji (Rockwall, Texas)
• DL Xavier Thomas (Florence, South Carolina)
• RB Shaun Shivers (Hollywood, Florida)
• TE Mustapha Muhammad (Missouri City, Texas)
• DL Jayson Ademilola (Jersey City, New Jersey)
• ATH Amari Burney (Clearwater, Florida)
• QB Justin Rogers (Bossier City, Louisiana)
• RB Asa Martin (Decatur, Alabama)
• QB Spencer Sanders (Denton, Texas)
• DB Patrick Surtain Jr. (Plantation, Florida)
• DB Bookie Radley-Hiles (Calabasas, California)
• QB Kevin Doyle (Malvern, Pennsylvania)
• TE Jeremy Ruckert (Lindenhurst, New York)
• DB Houston Griffith (Bradenton, Florida)
• DB Kalon Gervin (Detroit)
• QB Tanner McKee (Corona, California)
• DB Tyson Campbell (Plantation, Florida)
• DB Dashaun Jerkins (Woodbridge, Virginia)
• WR Jalen Preston (Manvel, Texas)
• DB Derrik Allen (Marietta, Georgia)
• QB Connor Noland (Greenwood, Arkansas)
• TE Zach Sheffer (St. Augustine, Florida)
• QB Adrian Martinez (Fresno, California)
• ATH Alontae Taylor (Manchester, Tennessee)
• WR Darryle Simmons (Philadelphia)
• LB Eriq Gilyard (Jacksonville, Florida)
• OL Jalil Irvin (Stone Mountain, Georgia)
• QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Las Vegas)
• OL Emil Ekiyor Jr. (Indianapolis)
• DB Jaiden Woodbey (Bellflower, California)

Heisman Trophy Picks

The 82nd annual Heisman Trophy award will be handed out Saturday. Here's a quick peek at the five finalists who will be in attendance for the ceremony.

Louisville QB Lamar Jackson, sophomore—He tallied 4,928 yards of total offense and 51 touchdowns, leading the Cardinals into playoff contention until a pair of November losses derailed those chances. He is the first FBS player ever to compile 3,300 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards in a single season.

Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield, redshirt junior—The former Texas Tech walk-on orchestrated one of college football's most potent passing attacks, tossing 38 touchdowns en route to a Big 12 title. Mayfield, who finished fourth in 2015 Heisman Trophy voting, threw for at least 300 passing yards in six of 12 contests and added six scores on the ground.

Michigan LB Jabrill Peppers, redshirt sophomore—The highest-rated high school recruit among 2016 Heisman Trophy finalists, Peppers has developed into a versatile weapon with the Wolverines and is the first defender to attend this event since 2012. His regular season featured 71 tackles—15 for loss—3.5 sacks, an interception, three rushing touchdowns and success as a special teams returner.

Clemson QB Deshaun Watson, junior—Like Mayfield, he contended for this award last year, finishing third on the ballot before spearheading the Tigers' run to a national title game appearance. Watson threw for 3,914 yards and 37 touchdowns this season, adding 529 yards and another six scores on the ground. He is the only Heisman Trophy finalist set to compete in the College Football Playoff.

Oklahoma WR Dede Westbrook, senior—He served as Mayfield's main target, averaging 19.8 yards per catch. Westbrook recorded 74 receptions for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns, exceeding 100 receiving yards in eight of the last night games.

Here are the results of prospect polling for the Heisman Trophy.

Name	Position	School	Votes
Lamar Jackson	QB	Louisville	49
Jabrill Peppers	LB	Michigan	15
Deshaun Watson	QB	Clemson	7
Adoree' Jackson	CB	USC	2

The Case for Jackson

"It's got to go to Lamar. He's had a ridiculous year. I know he hasn't won all his games but he's the reason that team has even been in the hunt this year."— Ohio State QB commit Tate Martell

"He is hands-down the best player in college football. The fact that they went 9-3 didn't really help his case, but nobody in college football right now is capable of dominating a game like Lamar Jackson can."—UCLA DL commit Jaelan Phillips

"He's scored more touchdowns than some teams have!"—Michigan RB commit A.J. Dillon

"Ability to put the team on his back. It is very impressive because he does not have as much talent around him as a Deshaun Watson, Baker Mayfield or even [Alabama QB] Jalen Hurts. So the fact that he can do so much on his own is something really special."—uncommitted QB Kevin Doyle

"No other player like him since [former star Virginia Tech quarterback] Mike Vick."—uncommitted DB Tyreke Johnson

"Anyone else wouldn't even make sense. Anyone else would soil the credibility of the Heisman committee."—uncommitted DL Dalyn Wade-Perry 

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The Case for Peppers

"It's rare to find a player who plays both sides of the ball, and to dominate on both sides is impressive. All the other players are top-notch, but for someone to play an entire game and at such a high level of intensity, I think he deserves to win it."—Penn State TE commit Zack Kuntz

"He's an all-around dog on the field. He's a beast."—Notre Dame WR commit Jordan Pouncey

"He's an all-around guy who finds many ways to maximize his skills. He's done that on offense, punt return, kick return and defense. He brings a ton to the table."—uncommitted RB Eno Benjamin

The Case for Watson

"He's shown determination throughout this season even though it has not been his best statistically. He is a leader of a team that is in contention for the national championship."—Cal QB commit Adrian Martinez

"He is really consistent in how he plays, came up big in big games and is a leader."—Maryland OL commit Johnny Jordan

"He is dynamic and finished the season strong. Great leader."—uncommitted QB Tanner McKee

"He's done everything for that program; he's a freak athlete and a great leader at his position."—uncommitted QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson

National Champion Picks

Alabama head coach Nick Saban is searching for his sixth national title and fifth since arriving in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide are the only unbeaten squad to qualify for this third installment of the College Football Playoff and carry immense expectations for a repeat championship.

Saban may have secured another trophy two years ago if Ohio State hadn't knocked off Alabama in semifinal action. Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer then led his team to a victory over Oregon in the inaugural College Football Playoff, adding a third national championship to his resume.

Ohio State must contend with Clemson in the semifinals this time around. The Tigers, led by Watson, fell just shy five points shy of Alabama in the title game last year.

Meanwhile, Washington crashes the party as a first-time CFP participant. The Huskies blew out Colorado in the Pac-12 title game to finish 12-1. They overcame a November loss to USC and edged out Big Ten champ Penn State for the final spot in this year's tournament.

Here's how recruits expect the College Football Playoff to turn out. 

Team	Votes
Alabama	50
Ohio State	10
Clemson	2
Washington	0

The Case for Alabama

"They're just a machine that rolls."—Georgia WR commit Jeremiah Holloman

"They have too many athletes on each side of the ball for anybody to beat them for four quarters."—Oklahoma LB commit Levi Draper

"They are just so much more dominant on defense than any other offense, and their offense is good enough to score enough. I can't see them losing to anyone."—Syracuse quarterback commit Tommy DeVito

"They will outcoach everyone they play."—uncommitted OL Tommy Brown

"Defense wears teams down, and Ohio State and Clemson will beat each other up."—uncommitted DB Derrik Allen

"They are a stacked team with backups just as good as the starters."—uncommitted DL Elijah Conliffe

"They have a great freshman QB surrounded by some of the best offensive players, from the offensive line to the wideouts."—Tennessee ATH commit Alontae Taylor

"Just a team full of savages."—Auburn ATH commit Tray Bishop

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Case for Ohio State

"It's going to be a really good game against Clemson, but they'll handle that one. Then I think Ohio State is going to catch Alabama slipping like they did a couple years ago."—UCLA DL commit Jaelan Phillips

"Clemson has a hard time pulling away against good teams, and I think a great team like OSU will jump on them early. It'll be close with Bama, but I see Coach Meyer finding a way to make it happen."—uncommitted DL Dalyn Wade-Perry

"They are the only team I see giving Alabama problems. I think J.T. Barrett is really experienced and ready to lead that team to a national championship."—Maryland OL commit Johnny Jordan

"I know how Coach Meyer does things up there, and Coach Mick [strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti] will have those guys ready. I really think they can run the table."—Georgia DB commit Richard LeCounte III

Tyler Donohue is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Quotes and observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Prospect information courtesy of Scout.

Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.