Who are the 2018 Heisman Trophy candidates?

EUGENE, OR - NOVEMBER 18: Quarterback Khalil Tate #14 of the Arizona Wildcats passes the ball during the second half of the game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks won the game 48-28. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 02: Running back Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs the ball during the Big 10 Championship Game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers on December 2, 2017 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

For my money, there should have been a fourth finalist for the 2017 Heisman Trophy, but Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor got snubbed out of being the fourth guy invited to New York. Admittedly, this race has been over for several weeks in favor of Baker Mayfield, but that still doesn’t change the fact that it feels like Taylor isn’t getting his just due for what he was able to accomplish this season.

Despite not even being the unquestioned RB1 for the Badgers in the offseason, Taylor quickly established himself as just that and left no doubt once he took the field. In Wisconsin’s 13 games this season, Taylor was only below 100 yards rushing on four occasions, a remarkable streak of consistency from a freshman running back playing against solid Big Ten defenses.

In the end, Taylor carried the ball 273 times this season and went for 1,847 yards and 13 touchdowns. He was the driving force for the Badgers this season, leading them to their 12-1 record and the Big Ten Championship Game, though they ultimately fell in that contest to Ohio State.

With a year of playing at the collegiate level now under his belt, the assumption would be that Taylor should only improve. If there’s one thing that we can always expect out of the Badgers, it’s that they’ll have big bodies ready to clear the way up front. When you combine that with the talent and newfound experience of Taylor, he should undoubtedly be in New York for the Heisman ceremonies when the 2018 season concludes.

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