Five Early Heisman Trophy Candidates for 2017

5. QB Trace McSorley, Penn State

Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley had a coming out party this season for the Nittany Lions. It certainly has folks talking Heisman when McSorley returns for his junior season next year. He led the way in their comeback victory with them trailing 28-7. McSorley went 21-for-31 with 384 passing yards (a Big Ten Championship record) and four passing touchdowns. Penn State won 38-31.

He leads the Big Ten in passing yards with 3,360 yards and passing touchdowns with 25 this season. He is first in the conference in yards per play (7.5) as well as passer efficiency rating (156.6).

Since their 49-10 loss to Michigan, things haven’t been the same for Penn State. They have won nine straight games and their sophomore quarterback has a lot to do with that. McSorley has 20 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions during the win streak. He has four passing touchdowns in each of Penn State’s last two games.

He has elevated his play and certainly his stock as a player to watch for the Heisman Trophy. After all, who picked the Nittany Lions to win the Big Ten Conference this season, let alone beating Ohio State?

McSorley will be the starter for Penn State when they face the USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl. We’ll see if he can keep his hot streak going when they face off on January 2.