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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Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Grayson McCall, QB, Coastal Carolina

The Chanticleers were one of the biggest surprises of the 2021 college football season as they ran through an undefeated regular season before suffering their only defeat of the year in their bowl game. There were plenty of factors at play for that run by Coastal Carolina but none were more important than the breakout performance of then-redshirt freshman Grayson McCall.

Running an exceptionally innovative and unique offense under Jamey Chadwell, McCall put forth one of the most versatile and efficient seasons we’ve seen from a quarterback — Power 5 or Group of 5 — in a long time.

McCall finished the season completing 68.8 percent of his passes for 2,488 yards, 26 touchdowns and only three interceptions. Also a rushing threat in the option-based offense, the quarterback also added 569 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. And again, he did all this as a first-year starter.

Now with that experience under his belt and the majority of the roster returning around him, McCall could be a serious Heisman challenger this season. The award has always been kind to dual-threat quarterbacks and McCall might be the best in the country from a statistical perspective.