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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 24, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Derrius Guice, RB – LSU

One of the favorites for the 2016 Heisman entering the season was LSU running back Leonard Fournette. Obviously, his season didn’t turn out as planned and he will forego his senior year for the 2017 NFL Draft. But as he dealt with ankle injuries all season to try and protect his draft stock, another star running back emerged in sophomore Derrius Guice.

Despite only carrying the ball 157 times on the season, the sophomore in Baton Rouge absolutely dominated for the Tigers out of the backfield. He finished the season with 1,249 yards on the ground and 14 touchdowns. Considering the workload, that is absolutely absurd levels of production. Of course, when you see that Guice notched four outings of over 150 yards rushing on the season, it makes a lot more sense. And among those outings was the season finale against Texas A&M when he rushed for an LSU-record-breaking 285 yards and four touchdowns.

With another year of experience under his belt, certainty in regards to his head coach, and with the backfield being his and his alone, Guice is due to absolutely wreak havoc on the SEC next season. He has the speed, vision, and power to be the next star running back in the country and I believe he does that and more to submit his bid for the 2017 Heisman.

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