One part of the Heisman Trophy-winning recipe is producing eye-popping numbers. For Brandon Doughty – who led the nation in 2014 with 4,830 yards and 49 touchdowns – that part should be easy. Of course, as we discussed with Keenan Reynolds, the much more difficult task is creating a national buzz at a Group of Five school.
Doughty does have a few things working in his favor. He’s obviously good enough to lead the nation in both passing yards and touchdowns, and works in an offensive system that allowed him to do it. After being granted a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA in December, the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Floridian enters his third season as a starter and his first with a returning head coach. Jeff Brohm is back for his season season as the head man in Bowling Green following Bobby Petrino’s one-year tenure and the Willie Taggert era before it.
Also, Western Kentucky is likely to be one of the favorites in Conference USA in 2015, and has a realistic chance to beat everyone on their schedule not named LSU – though the Hilltoppers visiting Death Valley October 24 will give Doughty a chance to impress for a national audience. If Doughty can lead WKU to an 12-1 record and a C-USA title, they’ll probably be the highest rated Group of Five team and earn a spot in the New Year’s Six.
With a familiar and explosive offensive system to highlight his talents and the experience of five seasons on campus under his belt, Doughty is in store for another monster year. He’s a definite long shot because of the league he plays in, but don’t be shocked if Brandon Doughty becomes the next Jordan Lynch – a small school signal caller that makes it all the way to New York.
Other than Reynolds and Doughty, non-Power Five players that could make a run at the Heisman include BYU quarterback Taysom Hill, Western Michigan running back Jarvion Franklin and Toledo running back Kareem Hunt.
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