HEISMAN WATCH

In less than six days, the most prestigious award in college football will be handed to one deserving young man. This race has in a way been unlike any other. Here are a look at some of the candidates.

Lamar Jackson-Quarterback, Louisville
2016 Stats-3390 Passing Yards, 30 Touchdowns, 9 INTS 1,538 Rushing Yards, 21 Touchdowns.

Jackson was the runaway winner until about a month ago, but lackluster performances against Houston on national television and an average Kentucky team has hurt his stock favorably. But will it be enough? Jackson's start to the season captured the hearts of America capped by a total domination of Florida State and a brilliant performance in a loss to Clemson.

DeShaun Watson-Quarterback, Clemson
2016 Stats-3,914 Passing Yards, 37 Touchdowns, 15 INTS, 529 Rushing Yards, 6 Touchdowns.

Clemson is the number two seed in the playoff, despite underacheiving all season, Watson who was a finalist for the Heisman last year was my pick to win it in the preseason. While Watson had a brilliant performance in the ACC Championship accounting for all five of Clemson's touchdowns. You can't help but wonder if Clemson's mid-season mediocracy along coupled with their loss to Pitt might not hurt his status.

Dede Westbrook-Wide Receiver, Oklahoma
2016 Stats-74 Receptions, 1465 Yards, 16 Touchdowns

Westbrook averaged nearly 20 yards per reception this season, but his stock was hurt when he departed from Saturday's win over Oklahoma State with an injury. It is difficult for a Wide Receiver to even get consistent Heisman trophy recognition, If Westbrook were to finish in the top three in voting, it would be the highest for a receiver since Larry Fitzgerald finished second in 2003/

Baker Mayfield-Quarterback, Oklahoma
2016 Stats-3669 Passing Yards, 38 Touchdowns, 8 Interceptions. 6 Rushing Touchdowns

If Westbrook is deserving of recognition, then isn't it only fitting that his signal caller does too? What many people don't realize is that Baker Mayfield had just as good, if not a better season in 2016 than he did in 2015 when he finished fourth in voting. I truly believe that Oklahoma not had two losses and would have been in the talk for the playoff, Mayfield would get more credit.

D'Onta Foreman-Running Back, Texas
2016 Stats-2,028 Rushing Yards, 15 Touchdowns.

Foreman averaged over six yards a carry and has had 13 consecutive games of 100 yards or more, however he played for a 5-7 team and his excellent performances were not enough to keep Charlie Strong from getting fired. Had he been at Alabama, he would be the favorite.

Jake Browning, Quarterback, Washington
2016 Stats-3,280 Yards, 42 Touchdowns, 7 Interceptions, 4 Rushing Touchdowns.

Browing was a Heisman darling in the mid-season, but the Huskies loss to USC and his performance in that game really hurt him. Browning also looked pretty lackluster in the Pac 12 Championship going just 9 of 24 for 118 Yards.

Donnell Pumphrey, Running Back, San Diego State

2016 Stats-2018 Rushing Yards, 16 Touchdowns.

The last time San Diego State had a Heisman caliber Running Back, Marshall Faulk finished second in the voting. Despite Pumphrey's great numbers the fact that he plays in a smaller conference and plays the majority of his games late at night really hurt his stock.

Jabril Peppers, Athlete, Michigan
2016 Stats-3 Sacks, 1 INT, 3 Rushing Touchdowns and 1 Punt Return Touchdown.

Peppers stock has fallen off heavily, once considered as maybe the runner up behind Jackson, Peppers was mediocre to finish out the season and wasn't really a factor in losses to Iowa or Ohio State.

Jalen Hurts, Quarterback, Alabama
2016 Stats-2,592 Passing Yards, 22 Touchdowns, 9 INTS, 841 Rushing Yards, 12 Touchdowns.

I am by no means an Alabama fan, but I just don't understand how Hurts has not gotten more recognition. His athleticism gives Alabama an element at the Quarterback game that Nick Saban has never had. He had four games of over 100 yards rushing and his 21 yard scamper against LSU to put Bama on top was Heismanesque.

Jonathan Allen, Defensive Lineman, Alabama
2016 Stats-11.5 TFL, 7 Sacks, 1 Defensive Touchdown, 2 Fumble Recoveries

Mark my words, Jonathan Allen will be the first non-quarterback taken in the 2017 NFL Draft and he should be. Allen's stellar defensive play will certainly earn him some Heisman trophy consideration.

With all of that being said, here is how I would vote (too bad I don't have a vote)

  1) Lamar Jackson
  2) DeShaun Watson
  3) Baker Mayfield
  4) Jake Browning
  5) Jalen Hurts

I know, I know I went with all Quarterbacks, but I think those were the five best players in college football. I wanted to vote against Jackson due to his recent lackluster performances but nobody else had done quite enough to convince me otherwise.