ACC Football: Each team’s top Heisman Trophy candidate for 2020

Sam Hartman gets the nudge over star wide receiver Sage Surratt because the entire offense goes through the quarterback. Jamie Newman led the offense in rushing yards last season and without Cade Carney in the backfield for the Demon Deacons, Hartman will likely lead the team in rushing as well.

In Dave Clawson’s tempo offense, rarely is there a straight hand-off to the running back. It’s an option read of some kind most times. Most passes have an RPO discipline for them. That means Hartman has more responsibility than anyone else on the offense.

The touches will be there for the junior quarterback to make plays. The biggest question for Hartman is in the running game. Do the Deacons have a running back that defenses will respect enough on the read? If one does not emerge, defenses will key on Hartman.

Also, Jaquarii Green and Donovan Roberson have to be ready to step up in the passing game to complement Surratt. If this happens and Hartman leads the Deacons to the title game — which would include a victory over Clemson, he would definitely make a watch list.