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5 dark horse picks to challenge for 2020 Heisman Trophy

By Jordan Alexis

AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 30: Bo Nix #10 of the Auburn Tigers looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 30: Bo Nix #10 of the Auburn Tigers looks to pass against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 07: Justyn Ross (8) wide receiver of Clemson runs for a touchdown after catching a pass during the ACC football championship game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Clemson Tigers on December 7, 2019, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 07: Justyn Ross (8) wide receiver of Clemson runs for a touchdown after catching a pass during the ACC football championship game between the Virginia Cavaliers and the Clemson Tigers on December 7, 2019, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Justyn Ross, Clemson WR

  • 2019 Stats: 55 catches, 724 yards, 8 TDs

A wide receiver hasn’t won the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991, but Justyn Ross is an exceptional talent.  Ross has been producing from the moment he stepped on the field for Clemson, and he burst onto the national scene during the team’s playoff run last season. He leads the team in catches this year with 55, but Tee Higgins has had more production in terms of yards and touchdowns. Higgins is on track to leave early for the draft, which will make Ross the main guy in 2020, and with Trevor Lawrence still throwing him the ball, he could have a monster junior campaign.

Much like Tagovialoa and Jerry Jeudy, who were both Heisman hopefuls to start the year, Ross and Lawrence could create the best duo in college football.

Clemson players, in general, were slighted in the national awards this season, so there could be a correction in 2020. They will still be one of the top teams in the country and an expected playoff team, so if that is to happen, Ross will be a significant factor. He will also be in contention for the top receiver taken in the 2021 draft, so the hype around him will be more significant going into next season, which will have him more in the national discussion if he performs well.

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