SEC Heisman Hopefuls

SEC Players That Could Be On The Heisman Watch List:

The Favorites:

1. Nick Chubb – Georgia

• He is a big running back with great speed, instincts, and vision, and he runs behind one of the best offensive lines in the country.
• He is playing on a Georgia team that could possibly rotate three other backs (Marshal, Michel, and Douglas) throughout the season. He may not get the touches needed to make a strong push for the Heisman.
• My guess, however, is he gets plenty of touches and yards to be in the conversation.

2. Jeremy Johnson – Auburn

• He plays in one of the best offensive systems in the country, he has dynamic playmakers all around him, and he is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks in the country.
• He will live up to the hype talent-wise. The only question is how much of the offense is going to be run through him.
• Will voters look at players like Duke Williams, Roc Thomas, and Jovon Robinson as just as responsible for the Tigers’ offensive successes?

3. Leonard Fournette – LSU

• He is the most talented player on this list, hands down, no questions asked.
• He also will be the featured player in LSU’s offense, which is either a good thing or a bad thing.
• He plays in an offense where quarterback play could be suspect, meaning opposing defenses will key in on Fournette and stuff the box with as many defenders as possible. He may have to be creative this year if he expects to put up big numbers.

The Next Tier:

4. Dak Prescott – Mississippi State

• He came back to Mississippi State to show NFL scouts he is the complete package at quarterback. This offense is so dependent on him that he may lead the team in rushing and rushing touchdowns in addition to all of the passing statistics.
• If he leads the Bulldogs to eight or nine wins, he has a decent chance at being a Heisman finalist.
• It is hard to be a Heisman candidate when your team only wins seven or fewer games. If his team is too inexperienced, not only do his Heisman chances diminish, but his team’s chances at another double digit win season, as well.

5. Pharoh Cooper – South Carolina

• He does it all. He can catch, run, and throw for yardage. He scored two touchdowns throwing, two touchdowns running, and nine touchdowns receiving.
• He is going to be needed in a big way this year, as well, so he should get plenty of touches.
• He has a new quarterback and opposing teams know of his ability in the Wildcat. If South Carolina never develops a number two receiver to compliment him in the passing game, he is going to have to be even more creative in how he makes big time plays.

6. Josh Dobbs – Tennessee

• He is a year older, with an even more talented offense surrounding him. If he has a huge game against Alabama (a team that struggles containing dual threat quarterbacks) then the rest could be history.
• Of the past ten Heisman winners, SEVEN have been dual threat quarterbacks.
• His offensive line will struggle again. Whether that creates more opportunities or problems in the rush and pass game will determine Dobbs’ season and the Volunteers’ season.

The Dark Horses:

7. Kyle Allen – Texas A&M

• He is a big time quarterback in a big time passing system. If he puts up HUGE numbers in the opening game against Arizona State, it could bode well for the rest of the season.
• He has three amazing wide receivers at his disposal.
• Allen’s biggest hurdle this season may not be his statistics; it could be A&M’s defense. If the offense can’t keep pace with Alabama and Auburn at home, it could sour his chances for a Heisman.

8. Patrick Towles – Kentucky

• IF (and that is a big if) Kentucky has a balanced offensive attack with Boom Williams at running back, and Towles is able to keep defenses guessing, he could lead the SEC in passing.
• The game that could catapult him into the Heisman conversation is the home Florida game in September. BUT, that can only happen if he can deliver a victory AND put up good numbers against one of the best defensive backfields in the country.
• There is no guarantee conference win for Kentucky this season, besides maybe Vanderbilt. If Kentucky wins four games and doesn’t beat Louisville, then Towles will have no shot at the Heisman.

9. Laquon Treadwell – Ole Miss

• If he comes back completely healthy and Chad Kelly develops into a solid starting quarterback, then Treadwell could be poised to have a monster, Amari Cooper- type year.
• Unlike Cooper, however, Treadwell should benefit from having a dynamic tight end. If Engram can perform better this season than O.J. Howard did last season, then Treadwell should have favorable matchups with smaller cornerbacks as the safeties try and manage Engram.
• He has a chance to show America he is back when the Rebels visit Alabama in an early-season SEC West-showdown.

Crazier Things Have Happened:

10. Boom Williams – Kentucky

• He will be Mr. Everything for Kentucky. Best case scenario is he will rush for 800 yards, will have at least 700 yards receiving, and return a couple of kick/punt returns for touchdowns.
• If he can pull a Charles Woodson and take a punt back for a touchdown in a winning effort against (insert SEC juggernaut here), then he could make just enough noise for Heisman writers to listen.
• The biggest issue facing Williams is Kentucky may not get the national coverage needed for a Heisman campaign, and if Kentucky doesn’t win enough games it may be irrelevant how dynamic a playmaker he is.

11. Kenyon Drake – Alabama

• If Drake played for any other team than Alabama, he would be a favorite. He reminds us of Reggie Bush and he has just as much playmaking ability as the former Heisman winner.
• He is an effective weapon not only in the running game but also in the passing game. Before the injury last year, one of his biggest plays came in a huge, 87-yard touchdown reception against Florida. If Kiffin allows his imagination to call the plays this fall then Drake could be a favorite weapon for whoever the quarterback is.
• The only problem for Drake is he is not the starting running back, so it will be imperative of him to make the most of his carries.

12. Brandon Wilds – South Carolina

• He could be the darkest of dark horses, but the man can run the football, and there is no denying that.
• He has had the misfortune of playing behind both Marcus Lattimore and Mike Davis, but now he has the job and if the Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida games of years past are any indicators, he will have plenty of opportunities to show off his speed and strength running the football.
• He rotates with David Williams so it could be tough for him to put up huge rushing statistics, but if he has monster plays in the biggest conference games the Gamecocks have, he could have a shot.