Heisman Trophy Watch: Top 10 Candidates after Week 5
By Gabe Encinas
Dec 30, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of the 1968 Heisman Trophy of Southern California Trojans tailback O.J. Simpson (not pictured) at Heritage Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
After five weeks of the 2015 college football season the field is still chasing LSU running back Leonard Fournette in this week’s Heisman Trophy rankings.
We’re five weeks through the season, and Leonard Fournette is running away with the Heisman lead. We’re not even halfway through the season, but this award seems to be Fournette’s to lose. But it’s still far from over, and a couple of SEC running backs could take stab.
More from Alabama Crimson Tide
- #10 Alabama football: 3 takeaways from close road win against USF
- College Football Playoff: Projected top 4 after Week 2
- Biggest winners and losers from College Football Week 2
- Alabama football: Is the Nick Saban Dynasty officially over?
- Alabama football: 3 bold predictions vs. No. 11 Texas in Week 2
We’ve also seen quite a few quarterbacks emerge as Heisman hopefuls, including three from the Big 12 and two from the Pac-12, two conferences known for great quarterback play. And recently, not much in the way of great defenses to slow down those prolific passers.
It’s hard to imagine a defensive player winning the Heisman in this era of college football, so you won’t see Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett or Ole Miss defensive lineman/goal line fullback Robert Nkemdiche even if they’re in the conversation for the best players in the nation.
We’re really just one week into conference play for most teams, so this is where guys will start to slip out of contention, meanwhile others will start shining through the midst of their season. As of now, there are really only four or five guys who have been stellar through all five (or four) games, so these next few weeks will be pivotal for any Heisman hopeful.
Here’s a look at who is on our Heisman watch after Week 5.
Next: Begin Slideshow