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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) runs out of the pocket during a college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus USC Trojans on November 24, 2018, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 24: Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) runs out of the pocket during a college football game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish versus USC Trojans on November 24, 2018, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

6. Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will be playing in the College Football Playoff come the end of December with a chance to play for a National Championship after submitting an undefeated 2018 regular season. However, the argument could pretty easily be made that, had Brian Kelly not made the switch to Ian Book at quarterback after benching Brandon Wimbush early in the season, they would never have reached those heights.

Book came into the fold and completely transformed the offense of the Fighting Irish, giving them firepower that could compete with anyone on both sides of the ball. In fact, had Book been the starting quarterback for Notre Dame’s offense from Day 1 and not missed a game near the end of the season against Florida State, he may have been one of the leading 2018 candidates.

In only eight starts and limited action in one other game, Book still managed to throw for 2,468 yards while completing a highly impressive 70.4 percent of his passes. What’s more, the El Dorado Hills, CA native threw 19 touchdowns on the year and just six interceptions, also rushing for 250 yards and four scores along the way as well.

Next year, Book is going to be the unquestioned leader of the Fighting Irish offense and the results should ultimately speak for themselves. He proved in the 2018 season once given the opportunity that he has the goods to be a star in college football, and he should put them on display in the 2019 season.

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