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Top 10 college football quarterbacks most likely to win 2017 Heisman

By Andrew Miller

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton and quarterback Sam Darnold
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 02: USC Trojans head coach Clay Helton and quarterback Sam Darnold /
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Apr 22, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) scrambles out of the pocket during the first quarter of the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Trace McSorley (9) scrambles out of the pocket during the first quarter of the Blue-White game at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Trace McSorley took the opportunity to show Penn State fans what he could do after the disappointing tenure of former quarterback Christian Hackenberg, and he absolutely ran with it. The combination of McSorley and running back Saquon Barkley (also a Heisman favorite) in Penn State’s backfield proved to be lethal last season. Both players return to the Nittany Lion offense for the 2017 season.

Penn State also returns a loaded receiving corps for McSorley to work with this season. Rising seniors Saeed Blacknall and DaeSean Hamilton should combine as one of the most formidable receiving duos in the Big Ten. Blacknall has not seen a full season of action since he first started his Penn State career back in 2014. A full season with Blacknall, Hamilton, and junior DeAndre Thompkins would be huge for a potential McSorley Heisman run.

Last season, McSorley threw for more than 3,600 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also tacked on another 365 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. A junior season with more than 4,000 yards through the air and 40 total touchdowns is not out of the question for McSorley. He has all the talent around him needed to take Penn State on another Big Ten Championship run in 2017.

The biggest challenge for McSorley and the Nittany Lions lies in Columbus, Ohio. Even though Penn State defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes last season on their way to a Big Ten Title, OSU was still the only Big 10 team that made it to the College Football Playoff. Combine that with a sour loss to the USC Trojans in the Rose Bowl, and you would imagine that McSorley and the Nittany Lions will have as big of a chip on their shoulder as any group in the nation.

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