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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Nov 21, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) scores touchdown in the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Blacksburg, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels running back Elijah Hood (34) scores touchdown in the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 8 – Elijah Hood, RB North Carolina

North Carolina’s football program has experienced mixed results (to be kind) in the past, but Elijah Hood is no joke. The 6-foot, 220-pound monster from Charlotte was the centerpiece of a highly explosive offense for the Tar Heels in 2015, to the point where North Carolina was a legitimate threat to beat just about anyone by the end of the campaign.

Hood returns fully healthy for his junior campaign, and the numbers that he could produce would theoretically vault him into the Heisman Trophy discussion. As a sophomore, Hood rushed for 1,463 yards and 17 touchdowns, and he racked up that rushing total while averaging nearly 6.7 yards per carry. That was good enough to land him on at least one list as the first team All-ACC running back, and given that he shared the spotlight with quarterback Marquise Williams, Hood’s performance was increasingly impressive.

Williams has exited stage left in Chapel Hill, leaving the Tar Heels to lean even more heavily on Elijah Hood’s considerable rushing ability. With that, his yards per carry average will probably sink a bit of the absurd high of 6.7 a year ago, but Hood’s workload will increase if he can remain healthy, and North Carolina is very talented yet again.

It might seem crazy to think that a running back from North Carolina could be a Heisman contender, but if it does, you probably haven’t seen much of Elijah Hood.

Next: Jalen Hurd