We are basically through the first half of the 2014 NCAA football season and have watched a fair share of upsets and surprises thus far. Who has stepped up and put their name on the list to be the next Heisman Trophy candidate?
I will list my top two candidates who I believe deserve the trophy based on the first half of this year, which could change by seasons’ end.
No. 1: Quarterback Dak Prescott from Mississippi State University. Yes, MSST. Prescott is on my Heisman hopeful list because of the way he not only leads his team, but how he plays on the field. He has taken a program that has seen better days over the last decade, to being the No. 1 team in the NCAA coaches’ poll. Prescott is a perfect example of what a dual QB looks like. He has passed for nearly 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns, along with more than 500 yards rushing through six games. He gets the nod from me over other quarterbacks because of the SEC schedule Prescott competes in. Prescott will have the opportunity to solidify his Heisman chances within Mississippi State’s remaining schedule; they play Arkansas and Alabama University over the next few weeks and end with Ole Miss University, who is also no joke in the SEC.
No. 2: Running back Melvin Gordon from the University of Wisconsin. Gordon is a quick and speedy back that brings a dangerous run threat to the Wisconsin football team. He is on top of my list because of his importance to his team. I could say that for all the top 10 Heisman hopefuls, but the University of Wisconsin really leans on Gordon to keep the offense afloat. His 132 carries this season are among one of the highest totals for a running back in the NCAA. Gordon has rushed for 1,046 yards and 13 touchdowns through the first six games and averages a whopping 7.9 yards a carry. Gordon’s break out game was against Bowling Green University; he rushed for 253 yards on only 13 carries, an average of almost 20 yards an attempt. One component that could hurt Gordon is his team’s strength of competition and the Big 10 schedule.
I think these two players have really shined under the spot light this year and deserve to be recognized right now as two of the top players in the NCAA. Of course, players like Oregon University quarterback Marcus Mariota and Georgia University running back Todd Gurley belong at the top of this list as well, but I wanted to bring Gordon and Prescott to the front of the discussion because of how much they mean to their team and their success.
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