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ACC Football: Each team’s top Heisman Trophy candidate for 2019

By Jake Mitchell

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after his teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers reacts after his teams 44-16 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 3: Quarterback Ryan Willis #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies throws against the Boston College Eagles in the first half at Lane Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 3: Quarterback Ryan Willis #5 of the Virginia Tech Hokies throws against the Boston College Eagles in the first half at Lane Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

Virginia Tech: Ryan Willis, QB

The Hokies suffered one of the biggest upsets in 2018, when quarterback Josh Jackson suffered a broken leg and 27.5-point favorite Virginia Tech fell to Old Dominion. This defeat opened the door for Ryan Willis, who would go on to have a surprisingly strong season.

Before landing in Blacksburg, Willis had a completion percentage of 54 and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 11-to-17 in his two years as a Kansas Jayhawk.

Willis threw for 2,716 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2018, and he should only improve on that in 2019. Three of his top four targets from last year return in wideouts Damon Hazelton and Hezekiah Grimsley, as well as tight end Dalton Keene. Additionally, freshman Tre Turner emerged as a weapon late in the year. In the last five games of the year, he caught 16 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns.

The case for Willis this year is solid. The ACC Coastal is, again, perhaps the weakest division in the Power Five. Should this offense get rolling, Willis could be poised for a big year.

Wake Forest: Cade Carney, RB

Cade Carney will look to build on a successful 2018 campaign, and finish his Wake Forest career on a high note. As a Demon Deacon, Carney has rushed for 1,826 yards, 4.5 yards per carry, and 16 touchdowns.

Next. College football: Top 30 skill players for 2019. dark

It was 2018, however, where a bulk of those numbers came from. Last season he eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark and had the best statistical season for a Wake Forest running back since 2005. With uncertainty at quarterback, Carney will be relied upon to carry this offense in 2019.

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