Heisman rankings Week 13: Jonathan Taylor punches ticket to NYC

MADISON, WI - NOVEMBER 23: Wisconsin Badgers running back Jonathan Taylor (23) stiff arms Purdue Boilermakers safety Cory Trice (23) for extra yards durning a college football game between the Purdue Boilermakers and the Wisconsin Badgers on November 23rd, 2019 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI. (Photo by Dan Sanger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 23: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts after a tackle during game action between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions on November 23, 2019, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

It’s been said many times that it’s near impossible for a defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy. And with Chase Young missing two games due to suspension, it seemed impossible for him to even be considered. Yet, as the star defensive end returned on Saturday against Penn State, he refused to not be given that consideration with another monster performance.

Young was second on the Buckeyes with nine total tackles while notching three sacks and four tackles for loss, including inducing crucial false start penalties. The likely No. 1-rated prospect in the 2020 NFL Draft now has an unreal 16.5 sacks despite missing two games against teams he’d dominate. Despite history saying Young has little chance of winning the Heisman, he should be a lock to be a finalist. If he tops 20 sacks en route to leading Ohio State to a Big Ten Championship and potential No. 1 ranking, he will have a lot of momentum to finish as the runner-up.

3. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin

If Jonathan Taylor was going to play his way into being a Heisman Trophy finalist and earning a bid to New York City, he was going to have to put together a strong finish to the 2019 season. A pedestrian outing against Michigan State and a downright bad showing against Ohio State put him in that position but Wisconsin’s junior star has stepped up down the stretch in a tremendous manner.

In the Badgers’ 45-24 win over Purdue on Saturday, Taylor was again unstoppable as he notched 222 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. That now gives the standout running back three consecutive 200-yard rushing games, 1,685 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns this season along with 20 receptions for 162 yards and four more scores. If he doesn’t get the nod to New York, the voters will have gotten it wrong.

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