Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 10
Next
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Christian Kirk (3) and Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Evan Berry (29) in action during the game at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Christian Kirk (3) and Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Evan Berry (29) in action during the game at Kyle Field. The Aggies defeat the Volunteers 45-38 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Christian Kirk, WR – Texas A&M

If you look at what Christian Kirk did for the Texas A&M Aggies in his sophomore season, you might be a bit disappointed. After electrifying College Station as a freshman, his production actually slipped this season, which seems a bit odd. However, there’s no one that should be fooled into thinking that the explosive young man shouldn’t be able to bounce back and deliver a Heisman-worthy campaign as he returns for his junior season.

In terms of receptions and receiving yards, Kirk’s numbers dropped this season as he caught just 77 balls for 842 yards on the season. He found the end zone two more times this season than his freshman year, crossing the goal line nine times in 2016. However, it’s obviously going to take a great deal more than that for him to find his way to New York in 2017. But the talent is 100 percent there for him to do so.

One thing that certainly didn’t help Kirk this season was the struggles and inconsistency at quarterback for Texas A&M. They lost four of their final six games and the offense struggling throughout that was a big factor in that. As Kevin Sumlin will surely have a plan to shore that up moving forward, that should include having Kirk being a more consistent piece in the attack. And with his ability to break plays open in an instant, expect that to put him in the Heisman conversation next season.

Home/College Football