FAU Football: 5-step roadmap for how Devin Singletary wins the 2018 Heisman Trophy

2. Singletary must lead the nation in rushing yards and yards per game

Last year, Singletary finished fourth overall in the regular season in both total rushing yards and yards per game. On the 13-game path to the Conference USA title, Singletary posted 138.2 yards per game and 1796 total yards. Both marks fell behind only Rashaad Penny, Bryce Love, and Jonathan Taylor.

Penny is off to the NFL. Love and Taylor are both back, and they both play on conference title contenders in Power Five leagues. So to have any chance at a Heisman as a running back, Singletary will have to have an even more extraordinary season. He will have to finish ahead of Love, Taylor, and all other backs in the FBS.

To do so, Singletary needs to at least top 155 rushing yards per game. That would put him over the 2000-yard mark for the regular season. Coupled with a run at Sanders’ touchdown record, that would put Florida Atlantic’s star in the running of Heisman favorites. As long as Kiffin gives him enough carries, that should be no issue.

In a year where the quarterback field is less hyped than usual, a running back has a better-than-usual shot at winning the Heisman Trophy in 2018. To be that running back, Singletary will have to separate himself from the pack in every statistical mark. He already showcased his ability to score last year, and now he will have to produce more consistently on the ground game after game.