Who are the 2021 Heisman Trophy candidates?

2021 Heisman Trophy candidate No. 6: Kedon Slovis, QB, USC

There were big expectations for Kedon Slovis at the helm of the USC Trojans offense after he put forth a phenomenal freshman season. He threw for 3,500-plus yards with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions in his first season at the helm. But with the shortened Pac-12 season that threw everything out of whack, it seemed that Slovis and the offense struggled to consistently get on the same page.

Even with that, the numbers for Slovis over six games on the schedule were quite impressive. Completing 67 percent of his passes, the sophomore threw for 1,921 yards, 17 touchdowns and seven interceptions. For those keeping score at home, that would put Slovis on pace to best his numbers as a freshman had he and the Trojans been able to play a 12-game season.

Perhaps the biggest thing that could help Slovis is USC offensive coordinator fully committing to his quarterback being the heart of the offense. The Trojans were at their best when he was asked to take over games, which isn’t a coincidence.

With that simple fact and Slovis’ talent, he has to be on the Heisman radar for the 2021 college football season. He’ll have a normal offseason for him and his teammates to repair and should enter the season healthy, something that didn’t happen this year. If all the chips fall right, he could bring the USC quarterback position back to the mountaintop of the sport.