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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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December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) during the third quarter in the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi
December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) during the third quarter in the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi /

5. Jake Browning, QB – Washington

Had Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning finished the 2016 season a bit stronger, you could make the case that he would’ve been in New York this Saturday either with or in the place of one of the five finalists. Instead, the sophomore gunslinger faltered a bit following his team’s lone loss to USC, saver for the Huskies absolutely routing their rivals in Washington State. The good news for Browning, though, is that he’ll get another shot as he returns next season.

Completing 63.2 percent of his passes, it wasn’t necessarily the yardage total that makes what Browning did in 2016 all that impressive. In comparison to many of the other Heisman candidates, his 3,280 yards passing on the year really don’t stand out too much at all. However, the youngster in Seattle stood out in the fact that he threw for 42 touchdown on the year while also leading the Huskies to a one-loss season and a Pac-12 title. That’s absolutely huge levels of production and success that can’t be ignored.

Other than John Ross, what really helps Browning is that many of his weapons and protection from this season with Washington will be returning next season to help him in a Heisman campaign. If he can continue to grow and put up those ridiculous scoring numbers, Browning will be in New York next year.

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