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Who are the 2017 Heisman Trophy candidates?

By Cody Williams

Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy stands on a podium during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the 2016 Heisman Trophy awards ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy stands on a podium during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the 2016 Heisman Trophy awards ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Looking ahead at the 2017 Heisman Trophy candidates that will take college football by storm next season.

On Saturday night, the 2016 Heisman Trophy Presentation invaded the PlayStation Theater in New York with all of the pageantry and so on. In attendance were five players that were all deserving of the award. However, all eyes were on Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson. It had been his award to lose for a while and, in the end, he hadn’t done enough to lose it to anyone.

But what’s crazy about Jackson is that he’s only a sophomore in 2016. Subsequently, he’ll be returning to college football next season and making another bid for the Heisman Trophy, trying to go back-to-back. That said, he could have a bit stiffer competition next season. With things shaking out in certain situations and talent abound, the 2017 Heisman race should be wild, hectic, and crowded

Here’s a look at 10 players that are the early favorites to be in contention for the 2017 Heisman Trophy, starting with a young man from Florida State.

Oct 15, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Deondre Francois (12) during the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Deondre Francois, QB – Florida State

Though only one quarterback invited to New York is an underclassmen, the 2016 college football season truly felt like the year of the freshmen and sophomores at the position. Part of that may have been because of what Lamar Jackson was doing at Louisville. However, it was also in large part due to the success of players like Florida State Seminoles freshman Deondre Francois, among others.

After a heated debate about who would start for the Noles this season, Francois ultimately earned the job. And though this season fell a bit short of expectations for the Seminoles due to injuries and other factors, Francois was damn impressive in his first year on the field in Tallahassee. He finished the season completing a workable 60.6 percent of his passes for an impressive 60.6 percent of his throws. Francois’ touchdown production wasn’t great with just 18 through the air and four on the ground, but he held onto the ball well with only six interceptions on the year.

Looking at FSU for next season, you have to believe that Jimbo Fisher will hand the keys of the offense to his quarterback with the departure of Dalvin Cook. After garnering experience in his freshman season, Francois has shown enough skill and talent to where he should be able to step it up and make it to New York.

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