Heisman Trophy Watch 2016: Top 5 candidates after Week 3

Who are the leading Heisman Trophy candidates after Week 3 of college football action?

This early in the year, it’s so tough to tell which players can string together 12 or 13 consecutive impressive contests and take home the Heisman Trophy. Conference play has barely even begun, and hasn’t for some teams, and playing cupcake opponents isn’t exactly the best test for Heisman candidates.

In years past, true Heisman contenders stood out instantly. Last year, Alabama’s Derrick Henry, LSU’s Leonard Fournette, Florida State’s Dalvin Cook and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey were obvious choices early on. Deshaun Watson of Clemson and Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma also rose to the top.

This year, it’s much different. There are no true Heisman leaders, outside of maybe Lamar Jackson, and the usual suspects of Mayfield, Watson, Cook and Fournette have struggled a bit through three weeks.

There are some under-the-radar candidates from schools not necessarily known as powers making this week’s list. Guys who were on the list last week, such as Royce Freeman and Nick Chubb, are no more. Freeman injured himself in the first quarter against Nebraska and didn’t return, so that’s not necessarily his fault. Chubb, however, struggled against Missouri.

Let’s take a look at the top five Heisman candidates after Week 3’s action.