2020 Heisman Trophy rankings: Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence lead top 10 candidates

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Justin Fields #01 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after a touchdown in the Big Ten Championship game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 07: Justin Fields #01 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in action in the Big Ten Championship game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

With Joe Burrow heading to the NFL after his Heisman-winning campaign, who will be the top candidates to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy?

In many years, the Heisman Trophy race is one that’s rife with drama. We start with an idea at the start of the college football season as to who the candidates to win the award could be, then see a good bit of that fall by the wayside as unforeseen players step up and create a bit of drama in the race. For the 2019 season, however, Joe Burrow came out of nowhere and essentially eliminated any drama.

After tearing up everyone in his path early in the season, including elite defenses like Florida and Auburn, it almost feels safe to say that Burrow locked up the Heisman Trophy on Nov. 9 with a masterful performance in a win over Alabama. But since then, there’s been little mystery when looking ahead — that is unless you start to look ahead to the 2020 Heisman Trophy race.

With Burrow heading to likely be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and with fellow finalists Jalen Hurts and (likely) Chase Young joining him in jumping to the pro ranks, the 2020 Heisman Trophy race is already wide open. But in the wake of the 2019 award being handed out, it feels appropriate to take an early look to next season to see who could be in contention.

The big wild card for the 2020 Heisman, however, is Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Considering that he was a 2018 finalist and would’ve likely been a 2019 finalist as well if he had not been injured, a return to school rather than jumping to the NFL — assuming he could make a full recovery and get back on the field — would make him perhaps the top candidate in 2020. But given the uncertainty with that situation, we’re leaving him out of this conversation.

Instead, we’re focusing on players that are almost certainly coming back to school, meaning that assumed underclassmen NFL Draft declarations are left out as well. And taking all of that into account, we’re ready to take an early look at the top 10 candidates to win the Heisman Trophy.

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