5 reasons Greg Ward Jr. can win the 2016 Heisman

4. He ranks among the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation

Most of the recent Heisman Trophy quarterback winners have been threats both through the air and on the ground, including Marcus Mariota, Johnny Manziel and Robert Griffin III. Ward Jr.’s skill set gives him an opportunity to join that group, as he ranks as one of the most prolific dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation along with Watson and Mayfield.

Ward Jr. improved greatly as a mobile quarterback in 2015, running for 1,114 yards and 21 touchdowns, marks which were both up from the previous year. On four separate occasions, Ward Jr. went over 100 yards on the ground, and stingy defenses at Temple and Florida State had some trouble containing him.

As that touchdown total would show, Ward Jr.’s running ability gave the opposition plenty of fits in the red zone, even at just 5-11, 178 pounds. Houston has incorporated the read option into its offense perfectly, as Ward Jr’s 4.3 40-yard dash time allows him to create explosive plays when given just a slight amount of room.

Dual-threat quarterbacks not only put up huge numbers, they tend to offer more of the so-called signature Heisman moments that really resonate with the voters. A Manziel-like scramble or Mariota-esque breakaway run could be all Ward Jr. needs to separate himself in the Heisman race.

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