Fansided

Top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates for 2016

By Patrick Morgan

Dec 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy sits on a pedestal during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis prior to the 81st annual Heisman Trophy presentation. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy sits on a pedestal during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis prior to the 81st annual Heisman Trophy presentation. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 11
Next
Oct 24, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Seth Russell (17) in the pocket during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback Seth Russell (17) in the pocket during the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

10. Seth Russell/Jarrett Stidham

This isn’t meant to be a trick sneaking in two players for the 10th and final spot. Consider it more like what would have happened this time last year with Ohio State’s quarterback position when evaluating Heisman contenders – J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones both can’t win the Heisman, and one inevitably would have canceled out the other, but no one outside of Urban Meyer knew which one would get the start (and, as time would tell, even he wasn’t too sure until well into the season).

Seth Russell looked like a legitimate contender for the 2014 award before going down with a neck injury that required season-ending surgery. He was replaced by true freshman Jarrett Stidham, who also played remarkably well given the circumstances during the second half of Baylor‘s season. While both will compete for the starting gig in 2016, it seems at least for now that Russell has the inside edge at reclaiming his old job in time for the season opener.

In less than seven full games as starter, Russell threw for over 2,000 yards, ran for 402 yards, and scored an eye-popping 29 touchdowns through the air and six on the ground – all against just six interceptions. And he did all this in a little over half a regular season. That’s about as promising of a body of work as you can get in that short of a time, and it’s more than enough justification for giving Russell another go-around as the Bears’ starting quarterback and as a potential Heisman contender.

Next: 9. Royce Freeman

Home/College Football