In one sense, Laquon Treadwell isn’t under the radar among 2015 Heisman Trophy candidates. After all, at 66-to-1, the rising junior has the best odds of any wide receiver to win the college football’s highest honor. However, because a wideout hasn’t won the award since Desmond Howard in 1991, every receiver is a long shot.
That said, Amari Cooper finished third in the voting last year and Larry Fitzgerald was the runner-up in 2003. Also, Marqise Lee, Justin Blackmon and Michael Crabtree each finished in the top five in the past seven years, so it’s not unheard of for wideouts to get love from voters.
Always a threat to put up big numbers, Treadwell surpassed the century mark in receiving yards three times in 2014. In the season opener against Boise State in the Georgia Dome, the 6-foot-2, 229-pound wideout had 105 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. He recorded a season-high 123 yards and two TDs against Memphis and had 103 yards with a score while setting a career high with ten receptions against Auburn.
Unfortunately, Treadwell’s tenth catch against the Tigers was his last of the season. The Illinois native broke his leg just before he could score a pivotal fourth quarter touchdown in the 35-31 loss, and the Rebels were never the same. Without their top offensive playmaker, Ole Miss lost 30-0 to Arkansas and 42-3 to TCU in the Peach Bowl.
Now healthy and participating in spring practice, Treadwell is ready to ready to put up huge numbers in what is likely his final collegiate season – if the Rebels can find a suitable replacement for Bo Wallace at quarterback, that is.
Next: D'haquille Williams