Oklahoma State Football: 5 reasons Mason Rudolph could win the 2017 Heisman Trophy

5. Justice Hill

It may seem like an odd pick for a running back to be the first reason on the list, but when you consider Justice Hill’s contributions to the passing game it isn’t. In 2016, Hill ran for 1,142 yards and six touchdowns on 5.5 yards per carry during his freshman campaign. He recorded the first 1,000-yard season for the Cowboys since Joseph Randle in 2012.

Although he caught just five passes last year, Hill’s contributions have non-statistical positives. In 2015, the Cowboys’ offense needed J.W. Walsh to aid a struggling running game. Walsh helped OSU in the run game, but, the offense was one-dimensional outside the red zone. Rudolph was asked to throw on defenses focusing heavily on the passing game.

Defenses kept 6 or 7 in coverage most of the time instead of stacking the box. Fast forward to 2016, Hill kept defenses honest and Rudolph’s production mirrored it. He threw for seven more touchdowns, four less interceptions and completed 63.4 percent of his passes with Hill. A quarterback’s best friend is a strong game and Oklahoma State carries that for the Heisman hopeful.