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5 Reasons Royce Freeman can win the 2016 Heisman Trophy

By Richard Cuthbertson

Nov 27, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) runs the ball into the red zone in the first quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) runs the ball into the red zone in the first quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) is hoisted by teammates after scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Royce Freeman (21) is hoisted by teammates after scoring on a 4-yard touchdown run against the TCU Horned Frogs during the 2016 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

4. He is one of the most consistent RB’s in the country

Since taking over as the starting running job early in his freshman year, Freeman has played in 24 games. He has topped 100 rushing yards in 17 of the 24 and two of those games he recorded 98 and 99 yards respectively. Freeman also recorded 20+ carries in nine of his teams 13 games in 2015 as they leaned on him heavily to carry the offensive burden.

In the regular season, Freeman has never had a game where he recorded under 77 rushing yards. Just looking at last season’s game logs you can see the consistency and dominance that Freeman possesses. He totaled both 100 yards as well as a 20-yard run in each of his teams final nine games.

Freeman has often been compared to former Oregon running back and current Carolina Panthers star Jonathan Stewart. Stewart saw a huge increase in carries in his third season at Oregon and parlayed into being a first-round pick by the Panthers in 2008. If Freeman sees such an increase in his workload and is receiving attention in NFL Mock drafts, it will only bolster his Heisman hype.

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