Heisman Trophy rankings 2020: Top 5 candidates and 5 darkhorse picks

3. Kyle Trask – Florida Quarterback

Kyle Trask enters the season as a starter after replacing Feleipe Franks midseason after a horrendous leg injury. Now, Florida comes into the season with a conference-only schedule that could make or break them.

Speaking of Franks, Florida added Arkansas to their schedule, the school where their former quarterback transferred after he recovered. They also added Texas A&M, a formidable foe. Even if Florida’s governor wants the Gators to add the Florida State matchup to their schedule, it doesn’t look like they will get a chance at a still-rebuilding Seminoles team.

This could mean good news or bad news for Trask, just like it did for Nix. For one, Trask has more marquee games where he can perform to the best of his abilities. However, there are more chances he can add losses to his resumé, which would ruin his Heisman chances. Trask needs to avoid the bumps in the road, and he has to step up against the likes of LSU, Texas A&M, and especially Georgia. If the Gators don’t beat the Bulldogs, it’s hard to see a Heisman in the realm of possibility.

However, if Trask is able to pull off the Georgia win, then he’ll immediately change how he’s looked at on a national scale. Luckily for him, the Georgia game is likely going to come early in the season. If he can start the hype in September or October, then he can only build on it from there. Every win and every touchdown and every big throw is heightened if it comes after a Georgia win.

Trask has that big arm where he can throw himself into a Heisman race at any point. If Lawrence falters at the beginning of the season like last season, and if Ohio State focuses on defense and the running game to win Big Ten games, then there’s an opportunity for Trask to take over like Joe Burrow did last season.