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
4 of 10
Next
Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Saquon Barkley, RB – Penn State

Expectations were certainly tempered for the Penn State Nittany Lions entering the 2016 season. Yes, they were always going to be a solid team that might pull off an upset. However, no one was picking them to be a part of the Big Ten Championship Game with a victory over Ohio State under their belts—much less going on to win the conference title. However, the emergence of sophomore star running back Saquon Barkley helped make that happen.

As he returns for his junior campaign next season, there are going to be high expectations for Barkley. What he did as a sophomore for this team was wholly impressive. On just 247 carries on the season, Barkley ran for 1,302 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also added 347 receiving yards and three more touchdowns to his credit. He was simply a dominant force for this team that moved the chains or found the end zone any time that they needed it on offense.

One thing that you also can’t discount in this is that Barkley had Heisman-type moments whenever they were in big games this season, save for being blown out by Michigan. The young running back rose to the occasion in games against Ohio State and in the Big Ten title game to produce when needed. People always talk about “Heisman Moments” and Barkley seems the type of player to deliver them in his 2017 bid.

Home/College Football