Top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates and 5 dark horse picks for 2021

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 19: Spencer Rattler #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks for an open receiver against the Iowa State Cyclones in the second quarter of the 2020 Dr Pepper Big 12 Championship football game at AT&T Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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Emory Jones, Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /

Heisman Trophy dark horse No. 4: Emory Jones, QB, Florida

For a much different reason than Milton, another quarterback in the Sunshine State enters the 2021 season as the starter with massive question marks. Emory Jones, who spent last season with the Gators largely backing up Kyle Trask amid his torrid passing tear, now takes the helm of the Florida offense with big shoes to fill.

Now a redshirt junior, Jones doesn’t have much of a body of work to speak of, especially as a passer. He’s thrown just 86 passes over three seasons and 24 games, completing 55 (64 percent) for 613 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception. He has shown a bit more with his legs, however, rushing 92 times for 514 yards and six touchdowns in his career with the Gators.

Jones has a ton to prove if he’s going to keep the Florida offense at the level it was at with Trask. But this is also clearly a terrific athlete with some raw athletic talent that could make waves. Furthermore, head coach Dan Mullen has proven himself when it comes to maximizing the ability of this type of quarterback in the past.

If the new starter in Gainesville is able to hit the ground running as the focal point of Mullen’s offense, the traits are there for him to make some serious noise. And if that leads to Florida once again taking the SEC East from Georgia, that only further strengthens Jones’ dark horse Heisman case.