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

2. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

When Trevor Lawrence led the Clemson Tigers to the top of the college football world last season by capturing the National Championship (in dominant fashion, no less) as a true freshman, it was only natural to assume that he would be a Heisman Trophy favorite in 2019. However, things didn’t go according to plan for the potential future No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, particularly at the start of the regular season.

Lawrence and, by proxy, Clemson seemed to stumble out of the gates this season. The quarterback did not look engaged and was making careless mistakes multiple times per game, resulting in an interception epidemic in the Tigers offense. But after those troubles almost cost the Tigers a loss at North Carolina, it was as if a switch flipped for Lawrence.

The long-haired signal-caller helped to spearhead the offense as the Tigers won their final eight games by 35 points or more. Moreover, the sophomore quarterback finished exceptionally well himself, throwing for 20 touchdowns and no interceptions over the final six games of the season while completing at least 70 percent of his passes in each contest as well.

For the year, Lawrence finished with 3,172 yards, 34 touchdowns and eight interceptions. As Justyn Ross will return next year and Clemson reloads around their star quarterback, the smart money would be on the then-junior putting together a full season of pristine work on the field and making his case to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy.