BONUS BLOG!: Heisman Predictions

As the season is set to kick off in less than 24 hours, I wanted to take a quick look at the top players in the country who will be in the race for the Heisman trophy and select who I think will be the finalists. Now I know in my last blog, I mentioned I wasn’t a huge fan of preseason picks. That’s mainly because with all the turnover and new starters you see, it’s tough to know what a team will give you. The Heisman is a different story! For the most part, you know what you’re going to get. So here’s my 5..

5. Cody Kessler (USC)  – Kessler has weapons everywhere around him at USC this year and his job is too not screw it up. After throwing 40 touchdowns last year, he is getting a lot of preseason Heisman buzz. He is definitely a candidate as USC tries to make a run for the playoff. My main concern with him, is the schedule. He struggled last year against ranked teams and they have a tough schedule this year as well. If he can make better decisions and spread the ball to the playmakers around him, I can see him making the trip to New York.

4. Whoever starts at quarterback for Ohio State- Now the old saying is “When you have 2 quarterbacks, you have none”. That is not the case at the Ohio State University. They have 2 bigtime options at QB, both proven and capable of leading this team to the playoff. Whether its JT Barrett who can run Urban Meyer’s system exactly how he wants it or whether its Cardale Jones, a big armed QB made to play on Sundays, Ohio State is in good hands!

3.  Jeremy Johnson (Auburn) - I feel like you have to have a SEC guy in the top 5 and this is definitely my choice. Finally a starter after backing up Nick Marshall, a lot of talk is being made about Johnson as he gets set to run the high powered Gus Malzahn offense. A much better thrower than Marshall, Johnson is projected to put up big numbers and help Auburn win the SEC. A pocket passer with mobility, he should give SEC defenses problems all season long.

2. Trevone Boykin (TCU) – From playing receiver his first year, to gaining over 4500 yards as the QB at TCU in his first year as a starter, no one took over the stage in the BIG 12 like Boykin. Surrounded by athletic speedy receivers and backs, Boykin will again have an arsenal of weapons to get the ball too. Coming off the playoff snub of last year, you can expect him and TCU to come back ready to prove to the committee why they screwed up last year. I look for a huge year from Boykin.

1. Deshaun Watson (Clemson) – Since this is “My Take”, it goes without saying everything I say is strictly my opinion based on the facts as I see it. No player in the country is more talented than Watson. He is mobile but his passing separates him from a lot of other quarterbacks. He can literally make every throw on the field. Obviously his injury history may cause concern but I am making this pick as if he will be healthy the entire year. He threw 14 TD’s compared to just 2 picks last year as well as completed 68% of his passes. I really hope he stays healthy this year, and is able to show the nation that he is the best player in college football.

 This has been “My Take”