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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Anthony Brown, Oregon Ducks. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Heisman Trophy dark horse No. 2: Anthony Brown, QB, Oregon

As it was for just about every college football program in the country, the 2020 season was quite strange for the Oregon Ducks. Despite an extremely talented roster under Mario Cristobal, they often struggled to find their footing, even if they backdoored into the Pac-12 Championship Game and won. But in that game, they may have found a big answer for the 2021 season in quarterback Anthony Brown.

After spending three seasons with Boston College, Brown transferred to Eugene last season but failed to win the starting job at the beginning of the year in a battle with Tyler Shough. Frankly, we also only caught glimpses of Brown at Oregon as he appeared in only two games. But what he did show was enough to raise some eyebrows as he figures to be the starter this year.

Brown completed 15-of-23 passes in two games for 164 yards and two touchdowns but also added seven rushes for 40 yards and two scores, highlighting his dual-threat ability. Now he’s the starter for a team that boasts NFL-caliber talent on the offensive line, at wide receiver and in the backfield.

It would be a massive leap for Brown to go from spot work with the Ducks at the end of last year to be a Heisman contender. However, if he can build off how he performed there and get comfortable with a talent-laden offense on a team that is a College Football Playoff sleeper, who’s to say that the Oregon quarterback couldn’t sneak into the Heisman race?