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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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January 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) throws against the Southern California Trojans during the first half of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 2, 2017; Pasadena, CA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) throws against the Southern California Trojans during the first half of the 2017 Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback Trace McSorley is another Penn State Nittany Lions player to watch this spring for the Heisman. McSorley led the Nittany Lions on a nine-game winning streak where he threw for 2,411 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions.

The rising junior threw for 3,614 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2016, both first in the Big Ten. He was first in passing efficiency as well at 156.9, completing 56.9 percent of his passes. He returns this spring as a Heisman candidate to watch.

McSorley will be without his favorite target, receiver Chris Godwin, but the return of running back Saquon Barkley gives McSorley a reasonable go-to out of the backfield. He’ll need to find another target in returning players tight end Mike Gesicki or Saeed Blacknall.

Gesicki caught 48 passes for 679 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Blacknall caught 15 passes for 347 receiving yards and three touchdowns. McSorley’s Heisman chance will be based on his playmaking ability. This spring, he’ll show what adjustments he’s made.

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