15 off-the-radar Heisman Trophy candidates for 2016

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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Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) carries the ball during the annual A-day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Bo Scarbrough (9) carries the ball during the annual A-day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 – Bo Scarbrough, RB Alabama

Why in the world would a player with 18 carries for 104 yards in his college career end up this high on the list?

Well, he’s the starting running back for Alabama.

To be fair, the leading wide receiver for the Crimson Tide, Calvin Ridley, is probably a better and more high-profile Heisman candidate, but he falls outside of our guidelines for this post. In addition, Alabama is probably more likely to shape a Heisman campaign around a dominant running back given their offensive structure, and Bo Scarbrough has the talent to capitalize on the vast opportunity.

As referenced above, Scarbrough toted the rock only 18 times during his freshman season, but he was highly effective (5.8 yards per carry) in that limited sample, and there were veteran monsters in front of him. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound rising sophomore was a consensus top-25 recruit in the country in the Class of 2014, and while he hasn’t been fully anointed as “the guy” in Alabama’s backfield, most folks around the program expect a full and favorable workload for Scarbrough.

The Crimson Tide do lose a great deal of talent on the offensive side of the ball, but the offensive line should be scary good yet again, and O.J. Howard might be the best blocking tight end in America. We are taking a pretty big leap to expect yet another Heisman-level running back performance in Tuscaloosa, but it certainly isn’t crazy to imagine.

Next: Patrick Mahomes II