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Who are the 2017 Heisman Trophy candidates?

By Cody Williams

Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy stands on a podium during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the 2016 Heisman Trophy awards ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 10, 2016; New York, NY, USA; The Heisman Trophy stands on a podium during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis before the 2016 Heisman Trophy awards ceremony. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Arden Key (49) and LSU Tigers defensive end Lewis Neal (92) celebrate sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M Aggies 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers defensive end Arden Key (49) and LSU Tigers defensive end Lewis Neal (92) celebrate sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) during the second half at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Texas A&M Aggies 19-7. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Arden Key, DE – LSU

You’ve always got to at least give a little love to the defensive side of the ball when talking about the Heisman Trophy candidates for a given season. After all, even Jabrill Peppers of Michigan made it into the 2016 group of finalists invited to New York. For my money, if there’s a defensive player in college football next season that’s going to do enough to earn a Heisman nod, it’s defensive end Arden Key out of LSU.

The Tigers end was an absolute monster throughout his sophomore season. He finished the season with double-digit tackles for loss in addition to earning an impressive 11 sacks. For a sophomore to be able to dominate the defensive side of the ball in that manner, all while also being one of the leading tacklers up front for the Tigers is impressive. Oh yeah; he also put up these wild defensive numbers while not playing in the team’s regular season finale against Texas A&M.

Moreover, you can’t discredit the value of a defensive end who contributes in the running game and earns tackles at the level that Key does. He’s already being circled as one of the top-10 picks in the 2018 NFL Draft and it’s not hard to see why. If he can come out and improve upon his already ridiculous production for LSU on defense, he should earn himself the right to be considered for the Heisman Trophy.

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