Fansided

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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IOWA CITY, IA – SEPTEMBER 22: Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor (23) runs the ball during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 22, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. Wisconsin won, 28-17. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IA – SEPTEMBER 22: Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor (23) runs the ball during a Big Ten Conference college football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 22, 2018, at Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA. Wisconsin won, 28-17. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

There were plenty of college football fans that expected Jonathan Taylor and the Wisconsin Badgers to run through their schedule with ease and have a shot at winning the Big Ten in the 2018 season. However, that wasn’t entirely the case. The Badgers struggled much more often than expected, which caused the college football world to ultimately sour on the team.

While that may be the case, the sophomore running back most certainly did his part. He entered 2018 as one of the Heisman front-runners and he produced at a level just like that. Taylor carried the ball 280 times on the season and averaged 7.1 carries as he amassed 1,989 yards on the year and scored 15 touchdowns as well. His numbers were better across the board from the freshman season that impressed everyone.

If you’re looking at the 2019 prospects for Taylor, one negative that many are going to point out is that their uber-talented offensive line is likely going to send some key pieces to the NFL. While that may be the case and could be concerned, it’s worth noting that Wisconsin is an offensive line factory, which should ultimately help out the Badgers running back with the blocking in front of him.

Taylor is an absolute force with the football in his hands, which he has two seasons worth of production to stand as evidence of. As he’ll return for another campaign in Madison in the 2019 season, expect him to again inject himself into the Heisman Trophy conversation.

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