Heisman Trophy 2016: 5 Under-the-Radar Candidates after Week 7
By Zach Bigalke
2. Zach Terrell (QB/Western Michigan)
Like Jeremy McNichols at Boise State, Zach Terrell is one of the offensive stars on an undefeated Group of Five team. Terrell, a senior quarterback from Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been a key reason why Western Michigan is currently 7-0 and in the hunt for a New Year’s Six bowl invite. He is currently ranked fourth in passing efficiency, tenth in passing touchdowns, and is the only quarterback with 100 or more attempts who has yet to throw an interception in 2016.
Terrell has added five more touchdowns on the ground, and he is responsible for over 19 points per game by himself. There is some hope for the quarterback from the mid-major school, though. Last year Navy’s Keenan Reynolds finished in the top five in Heisman voting. Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch finished seventh in 2012 and in the top three in 2013. Fresno State’s Derek Carr also made the top ten in 2013, finishing ninth in the voting. Case Keenum of Houston was seventh in 2011. Ultimately precedent shows that, among smaller schools hoping to land a surprise Heisman hopful in the pool of candidates, quarterbacks have the best shot of reaching Manhattan.