Heisman Trophy 2016: Dalvin Cook and the top 10 candidates

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Honorable Mention

It’s not a bad list to be on. Many previous Heisman winners have been lightly regarded dark horses when the season began. Most of the players soon to be mentioned will have a big enough spotlight and ample opportunities on the big stage to make a splash.

Greg Ward Jr. – Houston Cougars QB

Here is the notable exception. The Houston quarterback can beat you with his arm and his legs. His dual-threat capabilities proved crucial in the Cougars’ decisive stretch drive for the American Athletic Conference Championship.

In the regular season finale, Ward torched Navy for 308 yards and three touchdowns through the air. One week later, Ward only threw for 88 yards, but dazzled the Temple Owls for 148 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in the AAC Championship Game.

Ward’s value may have been most evident in his absence. He missed the Cougars’ lone loss of the season vs Connecticut. Ward set up his 2016 candidacy with 3,631 total yards and 35 touchdowns. His opportunity to shine comes early on September 3rd vs Oklahoma.

Ward and every other college quarterback will most likely be woefully trailing the passing numbers of Luke Falk. The Washington State signal caller tossed it 591 times and amassed 4,266 yards with 36 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Falk threw for more than 478 yards on four occasions.

Luke Falk – Washington State Cougars QB

Falk made those numbers count in the clutch. He hit on 50 of 74 passes for 505 yards and five touchdowns in an upset of Oregon. Falk led Washington State down the field in the waning seconds to upset UCLA at the Rose Bowl and did likewise to take out Arizona in another upset. Falk should have pulled out the biggest upset of the Pac 12 season vs Stanford. He guided the Cougars from its own 25-yard line to field goal range, trailing 30-28, but Washington State missed the would be game-winning field goal as time expired.

Like Ward, Falk was sorely missed in a big game. He missed the Apple Cup showdown with Washington and the Cougars were trampled 45-10. He is that important to Mike Leach’s offense.

Joshua Dobbs – Tennessee Volunteers QB

Near misses were a common theme for Tennessee in 2015. The Vols lost in the closing seconds or overtime to Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama and Arkansas. Another play or two by Josh Dobbs in 2016 should make Tennessee a serious SEC contender and Dobbs a possible Heisman candidate.

Dobbs chewed up Georgia for 430 yards and five total touchdowns in the Vols most impressive win of the season. He totalled 2,768 yards and 24 touchdowns on the season. A strong supporting cast loaded with Butch Jones’ recent top five recruiting classes, may give Dobbs the help he needs to make a Heisman run.

Nick Chubb – Georgia Bulldogs RB

Following his freshman breakout in 2014, Nick Chubb was primed to make his Heisman bid. Chubb entered the Tennessee game only trailing Leonard Fournette in SEC rushing while boasting a gaudy 8.2 yards per carry.

Chubb blew out his left ACL on the game’s first play. Hopefully, we’ll see the Georgia back in full form in the fall. Even with Todd Gurley in the way for much of 2014, he amassed 1,547 yards rushing and 18 total touchdowns. He added 745 yards in just five games in 2015.

Saquon Barkley – Penn State Nittany Lions RB

Penn State’s scholarship reductions are still most evident along the offensive line. While the stress placed on Christian Hackenberg is documented heavily, don’t discount the performance of Saquon Barkley behind that same line.

After limited use in the season’s first two games, Barkley took over the full-time job and never looked back. In his coming out party, the shifty and speedy runner shook past Ohio State for 194 yards in Columbus. All told, Barkley ripped off five 100-yard performances in amassing 1,007 yards despite missing two more games for the Nittany Lions.

L.J. Scott – Michigan State Spartans RB

For years Michigan State has climbed out of dark horse status in the Big Ten and nationally. Scott is a true dark horse in the 2016 Heisman race. Scott’s signature play was a short, but important touchdown run to clinch the Big Ten Championship Game. Scott appeared stopped shy of the goal line, but outmuscled and outmaneuvered three Iowa Hawkeyes to win the game.

One of Ohio’s top rated players in the 2015 recruiting class, Scott shared the Spartan backfield, but still churned out 691 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns. A big game early vs Notre Dame may move Scott onto the Heisman watch list.

Calvin Ridley – Alabama Crimson Tide WR

Amari Cooper may be the best rookie receiver in the NFL. The guy replacing him may be the best rookie receiver in college football. Alabama relied on Calvin Ridley to make the big plays and the key conversions against the best teams and he delivered.

Ridley’s 75 receptions and five touchdowns may set the stage for a Heisman campaign in a place where it’s not too difficult to grab attention.

Myles Garrett – Texas A&M Aggies DE

Jabrill Peppers is being heralded as the next Charles Woodson at Michigan, but Myles Garrett may be the most likely player to be the next defender to win the Heisman Trophy since Woodson in 1997.

Garrett followed up his phenomenal freshman season with 18.5 tackles for loss and ten sacks. In his first year he set an SEC freshman record with 11 sacks.

Garrett’s explosion off the ball, straight line speed, athleticism, and ever developing pass rush technique may be an almost unstoppable combination for SEC left tackles in 2016.

A few game changing plays in Week One vs Josh Rosen and UCLA may have some Heisman voters thinking its time to give a special defensive player consideration and Garrett is the most likely candidate.

Next: No. 10 Seth Russell