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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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Dec 5, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster (9) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Stanford Cardinal in the third quarter in the Pac-12 Conference football championship game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster (9) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Stanford Cardinal in the third quarter in the Pac-12 Conference football championship game at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 – JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR USC

On Sept, 3, 2016, JuJu Smith-Schuster will have a golden opportunity when it comes to inserting his name into the Heisman Trophy race. On that day, the USC Trojans will take on the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide in Arlington, Texas and, as you may expect, that game will take place in front of a giant television audience.

If Smith-Schuster can explode in the way that he is capable against Alabama, a head start on the competition could work wonders for his candidacy.

The 6-foot-2, 215-pound wide receiver from Long Beach, Ca. caught 89 passes for 1,454 yards and ten touchdowns as a sophomore, and Smith-Schuster just might be the best returning wide receiver in the country. Because his quarterback, Cody Kessler, received many accolades, the general public did not always latch on to Smith-Schuster as a high-level wideout, but that will change in short order as he evolves into being the focal point for the Men of Troy.

Wide receivers have a (very) tough path to the Heisman Trophy, as shown by just how few have been able to claim the nation’s top honor. Still, USC has real upside as a team, and if Smith-Schuster can build on his full-fledged breakout in 2015 with more impressive numbers, the stars could align perfectly for a run at the hardware.

Next: Saquon Barkley

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