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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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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 31: JT Daniels #18 of the USC Trojans prepares to pass during the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 31, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 31: JT Daniels #18 of the USC Trojans prepares to pass during the game against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on August 31, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

3. JT Daniels, USC QB

  • 2019 Stats: 25-34, 215 yards, one TD

2019 was supposed to be the breakout season for the former five-star recruit, but a knee injury early in the year robbed him of that opportunity. Perhaps 2020 will be the year Daniels becomes a household name and helps bring the Trojans out of their recent struggles.

Backup Kedon Slovis filled in nicely for Daniels this season, and it will no doubt be a competition for the starting job next spring and summer. However, if healthy, Daniels is the more talented player and should be able to regain the job.

USC is a sleeping giant in college football, and whoever can bring them back to prominence will become a national star. We saw what Sam Darnold did for that program when he was named the starter three-games into the 2016 season. If they had started Darnold from the beginning, he could have had a serious chance to make it to New York.

The scenario will almost be the same for Daniels as USC will open 2020 against Alabama just like they did in 2016. Daniels, of course, will need a better showing then the 56-10 beatdown the Trojans took in that meeting, but an impressive performance will be a strong start to a Heisman campaign.

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