Fansided

15 off-the-radar Heisman Trophy candidates for 2016

By Brad Rowland

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: A general view of the Heisman Trophy during a press conference prior to the 2015 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on December 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: A general view of the Heisman Trophy during a press conference prior to the 2015 Heisman Trophy Presentation at the Marriott Marquis on December 12, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 53-28. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 53-28. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 7 – Jalen Hurd, RB Tennessee

When it comes to Tennessee, most of the Heisman buzz currently surrounds quarterback Joshua Dobbs. After all, signal-callers usually get the most love for up-and-coming teams, and Dobbs is a very talented player. That manifests itself in the form of pundits picking Dobbs as a sleeper Heisman candidate and, as a result, he is disqualified from this list because his odds are too great.

Did I mention that Jalen Hurd is better anyway?

The statement above is not a slight to Dobbs, but rather immense praise for Hurd. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound behemoth burst on to the scene with 899 rushing yards as a true freshman in 2014, and the former top-100 recruit improved on that production as a sophomore. In 2015, Hurd compiled 1,288 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging nearly 100 yards per game, and those numbers could make another jump in 2016 if things fall into place.

To be honest, the potential Heisman push for either Dobbs or Hurd will depend greatly on what Tennessee’s offensive game plan looks like. Still, Hurd is definitely talented enough to carry the full workload, and it really is a sight to behold when a running back with this type of length and power gets moving downhill.

Dobbs gets the preseason love, but Hurd’s upside just might be higher.

Next: Brad Kaaya

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