Utah State QB Chuckie Keeton: The ultimate Heisman dark horse

By Doug Carey | Sep 3, 2015

Utah State senior quarterback Chuckie Keeton isn’t listed on any Heisman Trophy watch lists, but the pieces are in place for him to make a serious run at college football’s top individual honor. Here’s how it’ll happen.

The biggest knock on Keeton is that he can’t stay on the field, and it’s a fair criticism. The 6-2, 200-pound Texas native is set to start his fifth straight season opener for the Aggies on Thursday against Southern Utah. It sounds great until you learn that he’s played in just nine games over the past two years due to knee injuries.

More from Mountain West

When he’s been healthy, though, Keeton has been phenomenal. He ranks first all-time in school history in career completion percentage (65.4 percent) and second all-time in career touchdown passes (58), and he says he’s as healthy as he’s been in two years. He may need a few games to adjust to new offensive coordinator Josh Heupel’s system, but it shouldn’t take long.

Keeton threw for 18 TDs against two interceptions in six games in 2013, leading to a short-lived Heisman campaign that ended after three games last season. Keeton re-injured his left knee in the first half against Wake Forest but received a medical redshirt and had an encouraging offseason. Utah State didn’t even mention the Heisman Trophy this summer, but that could change with a fast start.

Experience Counts

Bottom line: If Utah State can keep Keeton healthy, the Aggies could run the table. They’re that good.

Dec 7, 2013; Fresno, CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah Burse (1) scores a touchdown past Utah State Aggies linebacker Kyler Fackrell (9) in the second quarter at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

Keeton has four starters returning on the offensive line as well as a solid option at running back in LaJuan Hunt, who ran for 540 yards as a freshman last season. Keeton can also get it done on the ground; he rushed for 619 yards and eight scores in 2012. The Aggies also boast a talented group at wide receiver, although senior starter Hunter Sharp will miss the first two games due to suspension.

The Aggies return seven starters on defense, including senior linebacker Kyler Fackrell, who joined Keeton on the injured list last season but was picked as the Mountain West preseason defensive player of the year and has all the intangibles that NFL scouts love.

The road to the Mountain West title still goes through Boise State, but at least the Aggies get the Broncos at home this year. Before facing Boise on Oct. 16, however, there are road games against two Pac-12 foes (Utah and Washington) this month. If they can win both — and it’s entirely possible, if not likely — all bets are off. The rest of the schedule is extremely favorable, especially since the Aggies host both Colorado State and BYU.

Road to a Title?

09/03/15 vs. Southern Utah
09/11/15 at Utah
09/19/15 at Washington
10/03/15 vs. Colorado State
10/10/15 at Fresno State
10/16/15 vs. Boise State
10/23/15 at San Diego State
10/30/15 vs. Wyoming
11/07/15 at New Mexico
11/14/15 at Air Force
11/21/15 vs. Nevada
11/28/15 vs. BYU
12/05/15 Mountain West Championship

So how does Keeton win the Heisman? He probably doesn’t, if we’re being real. But it says here that he’ll deserve an invite to New York if he builds on his strong play in 2013 and the Aggies are unbeaten heading into the conference title game. It’s not a huge leap to believe both could happen. Keeton’s injury history is the only thing that has us hedging our bet.

Next: Top 30 College Mascots of All-Time

More from Saturday Blitz

Home/Mountain West