Top 10 college football quarterbacks most likely to win 2017 Heisman

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 11
Next
Sep 24, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) passes the ball against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Baylor won 35-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Waco, TX, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Mason Rudolph (2) passes the ball against the Baylor Bears during the second half at McLane Stadium. Baylor won 35-24. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports /

Very similar to the 2016 offseason, Mason Rudolph enters 2017 as a dark horse to bring the Heisman Trophy back to Stillwater, Okla., for the first time since Barry Sanders won it in the late 1980s. Rudolph put together a tremendous stat line in 2016 with more than 4,000 yards passing and more than 30 total touchdowns. Moreover, he showed a dramatic improvement in his running ability when flushed out of the pocket.

More from College Football News

Rudolph also has the best returning receiving corps in college football. Receivers like James Washington, Jalen McCleskey, Marcell Ateman, Chris Lacy, and LSU transfer Tyron Johnson, give Rudolph all the weapons he needs to eclipse the 4,000 yard passing mark once again.

He also has the support in the running game to open up the secondary. Sophomore running back Justice Hill was a named a Freshman All-American last season behind more than a 1,000 yard rushing effort. Hill was the first Oklahoma State running back to accomplish that since Joseph Randle in 2012.

Between Rudolph’s own talent along with the supporting cast available to him in the OK State offense, there’s no reason he cannot make a good run at the Heisman this season. Much of Rudolph’s Heisman campaign banks on the overall success of the Cowboys. They have the potential to take home a Big 12 Title and make an appearance in the College Football Playoff this season but it’s still a tall task to get there.