Texas A&M Football: Could Devon Achane contend for Heisman in 2022?

Isaiah Spiller was RB1 for Texas A&M football in 2021, but many could argue that Devon Achane was the more explosive back. Could he win the Heisman?

Texas A&M football has had some really good running backs over the years like Trayveon Williams and, more recently, Isaiah Spiller and while the latter is headed to the NFL, the Aggies are left looking for his replacement.

That replacement will be junior Devon Achane who just so happens to be fresh off his best season yet, rushing for 910 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns on 7.0 yards per carry.

Achane will be pushed by talented freshman LJ Johnson Jr. who I believe will have a heck of a career in College Station, but after having a breakout season in 2021, he looks poised to take over as RB1 and act as the Aggies’ workhorse back.

Spiller was a dark-horse Heisman contender before the 2021 season but Achane kind of stole the show and now it’s his backfield. Will he be that Heisman contender in 2022?

I think Achane has all the potential to be in that conversation and while you won’t see him on many preseason Heisman watch lists, he will be a Doak Walker Award candidate and he will be in that select group late in the year, barring any health issues. He rushed for nearly 1,000 yards while splitting carries with an NFL-caliber back and he was a threat in the passing game as well. He has speed, explosiveness, vision, and solid hands. He has all the tools.

College football fans are going to be surprised by Achane’s breakout this upcoming season but those who have watched him already should know he’s capable of big things.

I could see a 1,500-yard rushing season and 300-400 receiving yards to go along with it and a potential top-10 finish in Heisman voting.