5 reasons Samaje Perine can win 2016 Heisman Trophy

3 of 6

Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley watches a replay during the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Boone Pickens Stadium. Oklahoma won 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Rob Ferguson-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Lincoln Riley

How does playing in offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley’s Air Raid offense help a traditional running back like Perine in 2016? While Riley will certainly want to move the football aerially in his pass-heavy spread offense, that doesn’t mean he won’t look for more creative ways to future his star running back this fall.

Not being able to run the football out of the spread is a myth, as Perine was able to rush for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns in the first year of Riley’s Air Raid offense in 2016. Being that this will be Perine’s second season in the Air Raid, he might actually factor more in the receiving game out of the backfield in 2016.

The spread offense is at its best when it gets the ball in the hands of playmakers in space. With senior wide receiver Sterling Shepard now in the NFL with the New York Giants, Perine remains as the Sooners’ best offensive weapon for Riley to work with.

If Perine and Riley get on the same page from the start of the 2016 NCAA season, the Sooners could see their star tailback have a special season in Norman as a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender coming out of the Big 12.

Next: 3. Baker Mayfield.

Home/College Football