Lawrence, Fields early Heisman faves
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow won’t be back to defend his Heisman Trophy. Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts is entering the final games of his college career. Ohio State defensive end Chase Young has been noncommittal about his NFL future, though the junior is expected to forgo his final season and be a top three pick.
That leaves Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields as the only Heisman finalist set to return to the Bowl Subdivision in 2020. The sophomore will be at or near the top of every preseason list projecting next year’s winner.
But he won’t be alone. With Burrow still basking in his lopsided win, here are 10 players to watch in next season’s Heisman race.
(The list does not include players such as Young, Wisconsin running back Jonathan Taylor and others who have eligibility remaining but are likely to be playing in the NFL in 2020).
Trevor Lawrence, Clemson: Lawrence has been as good as any quarterback in the country since midway through October, the Heisman winner included. A year somewhat off the Heisman radar might end up to Lawrence’s benefit, in a reversal of the overwhelming spotlight that came out of his superb freshman season.
Justin Fields, Ohio State: Fields came in third in Saturday night’s voting after throwing for 40 touchdowns against just one interception in leading Ohio State to the Big Ten championship and Fiesta Bowl berth. The hype will be astronomical heading into his junior year – Fields might be hard-pressed to put up an encore performance to match preseason expectations. Still, another season in Ryan Day’s scheme will hone his already impressive game.
Derek Stingley Jr., LSU: Stingley’s impact for No. 1 LSU equals or exceeds that of any true freshman defender in recent college football history. As a defender alone, the rookie has the name recognition to be a Heisman contender. Add in the possibility that Stingley plays a role on offense as a sophomore – call it the Charles Woodson factor – it could have him in the thick of the mix.
Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma: Assuming Rattler ascends to the starting job as Hurts’ successor, which seems likely barring Lincoln Riley again dipping into the transfer pool. If he’s the pick, Rattler is a strong contender based on recent history: Oklahoma’s last three starters have been Heisman finalists, with Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray taking the trophy home.
Jake Fromm, Georgia: First and foremost, Georgia needs to retool an offensive scheme that ran off the rails in
November. (Fromm completed less than half of his attempts in the Bulldogs’ last five games.) With some imagination and the development of this year’s young receiver corps, Fromm could parlay his unmatched experience and Georgia’s place in the College Football Playoff into a Heisman run.
Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis: Gainwell ran for more than 1,400 yards and had nearly 2,000 yards of total offense as a freshman for the best team from the Group of Five. With a dearth of proven running backs set to return in 2020 – stars such as Taylor, Travis Etienne, Chuba Hubbard and J.K. Dobbins are expected to leave for the NFL – Gainwell could begin the season as the nation’s top player at the position. An issue: Memphis will promote from within to replace former coach Mike Norvell, now at Florida State, but it’s hard to peg whether the Tigers can keep rolling with a new voice leading the offense.
Sam Ehlinger, Texas: It was a lost 2019 season for Texas and, to a slightly lesser degree, the Longhorns’ junior quarterback. While Ehlinger has been steady as a passer, he’s been less productive on the ground for a team that fell way short of preseason projections. Ehlinger’s Heisman stock is tied in with the Longhorns’ success in the Big 12.
Kedon Slovis, Southern California: Slovis was one of the great success stories of the regular season after grabbing the starting job in September and throwing for 3,242 yards and 28 touchdowns in the Trojans’ quarterbackfriendly scheme. The biggest factor behind his candidacy as a sophomore is whether USC can retain offensive coordinator Graham Harrell, who is due to be courted by several power programs looking for an offensive rebuild.
Sam Howell, North Carolina: Howell set Atlantic Coast Conference records for passing yards and touchdowns by a freshman in leading UNC to a bowl berth in Mack Brown’s first season back with the program. The potential is off the charts: Howell looks the part of an All-American contender as he winds through his college career, though his best shot at the Heisman will come after the Tar Heels leap from six wins into the New Year’s Six bowl hunt.
Javian Hawkins, Louisville: Hawkins ran for 1,420 yards and eight scores as Louisville quickly rose into the top half of the ACC under first-year coach Scott Satterfield. As with Gainwell – only with the benefit of playing in a Power Five league – Hawkins could fill the void left at the running back position. A number of other standouts could fill this spot: LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy and the to-be-named replacements at quarterback for LSU and Alabama, to name a few.