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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D.J. Uiagalelei, Clemson Tigers. (USA Today) /

7. D.J. Uiagalelei, QB, Clemson

There were two players who I felt needed to be included among the top 10 preseason Heisman candidates but were nearly impossible to rank, both for the same reason. One of them is D.J. Uiagalelei, who steps under center at Clemson (or a few steps behind center in shotgun) to fill the void left by Trevor Lawrence.

Due to Lawrence actually missing two games last season following a positive COVID-19 test, we actually got a glimpse of Uiagalelei as a freshman and it was hard not to be impressed with the tool chest that the young signal-caller is working with.

In nine appearances overall last season, the then-freshman put up some good numbers as he completed 66.7 percent of his throws for 914 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also scored four rushing touchdowns as the 6-foot-4, 250-pounder is a load to try and bring down in the red zone, even if he’s not particularly mobile in the way that Lawrence was at times for the Tigers.

The fact of the matter is, though, that Uiagalelei has never been “the guy” for a program like Clemson and that means there could be a learning curve. Throw in an offensive line that might be the biggest weak point of the Tigers roster and there is some trepidation. Still, with his talent, the talent around him and Clemson’s track record of success, it’s impossible not to include the sophomore gunslinger.