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First look at the top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates for 2019

By Cody Williams

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Alabama Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa poses with the Heisman Trophy at the New York Stock Exchange on December 7, 2018 at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 07: Alabama Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa poses with the Heisman Trophy at the New York Stock Exchange on December 7, 2018 at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 3: Running back AJ Dillon #2 of the Boston College Eagles carries the ball against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Lane Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

9. AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College

Coming into the season, many college football fans would’ve called AJ Dillon from the Boston College Eagles the best running back in the country that a lot of people weren’t talking about. When he was on the field this season and when he was also fully healthy, the sophomore running back from Connecticut most certainly seemed like he fit the bill.

For the season, Dillon carried the ball 227 times and put up 1,108 yards rushing on the year, good for 4.9 yards per carry. What’s more, he also found the end zone 10 times in the run game while catching eight balls for 41 yards and another touchdown on the year. What’s most impressive, though, is that Dillon did this while both missing two games and while also playing banged up for part of the year as well.

Now, it’s worth noting that the Boston College offensive line could lose some key pieces to the NFL that led the way for Dillon this season. While that may be true, it’s highly unlikely that Dillon is going to have as bad of injury luck as he did throughout the 2019 season. With that, his level of talent and the way that Boston College plays on offense, that puts him in a great position.

Dillon is going to be the focal point of the Eagles offense when he’s healthy and on the field and has the talent to be a consistent force moving the ball on the ground. Frankly, his still-impressive total for the 2018 season was lesser than what he appears capable of, and we should see him get closer to his potential.

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