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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 /
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Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) looks to throw during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) looks to throw during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

6. J.T. Barrett

Ohio State had one of the more fascinating offseasons to watch last year when Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer was tasked with choosing his starting quarterback among J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones, and Braxton Miller. Miller had been the team’s starting quarterback from 2011 to 2013, but lost 2014 to injury and then decided to switch to wide receiver in 2015 after it became clear that the QB competition was a two-man race between Barrett and Jones.

Barrett had been the starter for the Buckeyes’ impressive 2014 campaign before a November injury thrust Jones into the starting position for the final three games of the season – the Big 10 Championship against Wisconsin, the CFP semifinal against top-ranked Alabama, and the CFP National Championship against Oregon. After Jones won all three starts and brought Ohio State a title, it looked like Barrett’s career as starter might have been over, but poor play from Jones early on in 2015 helped Barrett reclaim his job permanently.

Barrett finished 2015 with 22 total touchdowns (11 through the air and 11 on the ground), and enters 2016 as the unquestioned starter on a Buckeyes team that will be eyeing a return to the College Football Playoff after a “down” year that saw them get edged out by Oklahoma among the four teams invited to the CFP series. Barrett’s dual-threat capabilities should have him near the forefront of the Heisman race all season long, especially if the Buckeyes remain in championship contention wire to wire.

Next: 5. Dalvin Cook

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