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Heisman Trophy: Top candidate from every Power 5 team in 2019

By Cody Williams

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball in the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 01: D'Andre Swift #7 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball in the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2018 SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 1, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, IL – SEPTEMBER 08: Duke Blue Devils quarterback Quentin Harris (18) looks to pass in the 4th quarter during a college football game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Northwestern Wildcats on September 08, 2018, at Ryan Field in Evanston, IL. Duke won 21-7. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

ACC Coastal

Duke Blue Devils: Quentin Harris, QB

Quentin Harris figures to be a stark contrast to what Duke had in Daniel Jones. Harris is far more running-minded than his predecessor and Dave Cutcliffe will surely look to utilize that. There’s a reason to question the overall talent of the Blue Devils but if Harris takes off as an elite dual-threat player, he could be a Heisman dark horse.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Tobias Oliver, QB

Things could be hard to watch in Atlanta as Geoff Collins transitions away from the triple-option at Georgia Tech. While that may be so, Tobias Oliver is the starting quarterback. He’ll be asked to do a lot and, if the Yellow Jackets are going to have any modicum of success, Oliver will have to put up a heroic effort to make it happen.

Miami Hurricanes: Shaq Quarterman, LB

Given the seemingly tumultuous quarterback situation with the Miami Hurricanes right now, it’s hard to pick anyone on the offense for this. Shaq Quarterman then becomes the easy pick. The veteran linebacker is a game-changer defensively and, with the tackle and turnover numbers he’s capable of putting up, he could be the rare defensive Heisman candidate.

North Carolina Tar Heels: Sam Howell, QB

Mack Brown’s new tenure with the Tar Heels begins with a true freshman at quarterback. In truth, it’s going to take some time to make North Carolina nationally relevant again. However, Howell has immense talent and, if we’re looking at out-of-nowhere dark-horse Heisman candidates, the freshman in Chapel Hill will have his chances.

Pittsburgh Panthers: Kenny Pickett, QB

Kenny Pickett didn’t exactly light the world on fire with Pittsburgh last season. He failed to reach 2,000 yards passing with just 12 touchdowns and six interceptions. With a year under his belt, though, perhaps he comes out and surprises everyone. Mostly, though, Pickett helms a Power 5 offense, which is all he needs to get mentioned in this regard.

Virginia Cavaliers: Bryce Perkins, QB

Considering most of the talk about UVA is about their defense, it feels like more people should be talking about Bryce Perkins. The quarterback threw for 2,680 yards, 24 touchdowns and nine interceptions while rushing for 923 yards and nine touchdowns as well. An experienced signal-caller on what should be a good team, the dual-threat star deserves more buzz than he’s getting.

Virginia Tech Hokies: Ryan Willis, QB

Ryan Willis threw for over 2,700 yards and 24 touchdowns last season while also only tossing nine interceptions. Furthermore, he rushed for 354 yards and four touchdowns. If he betters those numbers in 2019 while also keeping Virginia Tech competitive in the weak ACC, Willis could come out of nowhere and earn an invite to New York.