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College football’s top 15 Heisman Trophy candidates heading into spring

By Jerran Anderson

Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) drops back to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; USC Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold (14) drops back to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws during the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback Baker Mayfield is entering his senior season with a lot of accolades. However, his final goal of winning a National Championship has him returning with a lot of expectations.

Mayfield has finished fourth and third in Heisman voting in 2015 and 2016 respectively. His leadership has already led the Sooners to two-straight Big 12 Championships, but they missed the College Football Playoffs last season.

Two early losses to the Houston Cougars and Ohio State Buckeyes hurt the Sooners playoff chances early but they still finished the season winning 10-straight games. Mayfield still threw for 3,965 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns with a 70.9 passing completion percentage to go with it.

The senior will need to shake off an off-the-field incident in which he was tackled into a wall in February. But this spring, he’ll have to replace weapons Dede Westbrook and Joe Mixon. He’ll also have to replace running back Samaje Perine out of the backfield. If he can show he’s focused on football this spring, he can return back to Heisman form for a third time this upcoming season.

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