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Texas A&M Football: Trayveon Williams is serious 2018 Heisman dark horse

By Connor Muldowney

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Trayveon Williams #5 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs the ball in the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 23: Trayveon Williams #5 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs the ball in the first half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at AT&T Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Trayveon Williams took a step back in 2017, but he could take over the SEC and become Texas A&M football’s latest Heisman contender.

Heading into the 2017 season, Trayveon Williams was looked at as one of the top Heisman contenders out of the SEC, but he struggled to stay healthy.

Williams was coming off a 1,000-yard season as a true freshman in 2016 and possessed the potential to reach 1,500 and even flirt with 2,000 yards. His 5-9, 200-pound frame was bruising for opponents but he still had that explosiveness in the open field. He became one of the more electric rushers in college football, but 2017 wasn’t so kind to him.

Now that he’s healthy entering his junior season with a new coach at the helm, all eyes will be on how much of a factor he can be in the 2018 Heisman Trophy race.

Can he seriously contend for the coveted award? Absolutely.

Looking at his explosiveness out the backfield and run-you-over ability, Williams can be one of the best running backs not just in the SEC but in the country.

Everyone knows Bryce Love of Stanford, but Williams will become a household name around the country in 2018.

Plus, we know Jimbo Fisher likes to use his running backs as he’s sent Dalvin Cook to the NFL and Cam Akers, who he recruited at Florida State, won’t be too far behind.

Williams is going to benefit from the coaching change as the Texas A&M offense will be much more balanced and as long as he stays healthy, he’ll approach that 1,500-yard mark with 10-15 touchdowns.

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If he can prove to be a dual-threat back, catching the ball out of the backfield more like he did in 2017, he can rival Love for that Heisman Trophy. Don’t sleep on Williams in 2018.