The SEC is loaded with some of the best players in the country, and the conference usually has one or two guys competing for the most coveted individual prize in collegiate sport, the Heisman Trophy. This upcoming season is no different in talent, and there are many players who could hoist the iconic award come December. So here is my list for the SEC candidates most likely to receive the Heisman Trophy:
1. Dak Prescott
What QB Dak Prescott has done for the Mississippi State Bulldogs is legendary. The senior signal caller put the bulldogs on the map last year and even got them to a number-one ranking before the season started to unravel. He was considered a dark horse for the award last year, but expect him to be one of the favorites this year as he hopes to lead Mississippi State to the college football playoff.
2. Nick Chubb
After losing Todd Gurley to injury and eventually the NFL, The Georgia Bulldogs thought they had a big problem when they had to start freshman running back Nick Chubb, what they got instead was more than they could have ever imagined. Nick Chubb is a monster, plain and simple. He is better than Todd Gurley, and he is the best running back in the SEC, and arguably the entire country. Georgia, who is replacing their 2nd QB in three years, should just give him the ball every chance they get, because he is something special. Barring injury and a complete breakdown in vision by voters, expect Chubb to be in New York for the award ceremony.
3. Derrick Henry
This is finally going to be the year that Derrick Henry sets the country on fire. After sitting behind Tj Yeldon for the first two years of his career, the junior running back is finally the main guy in the coveted Alabama backfield. Lane Kiffin is going to have to unleash this monster onto the world now that Amari Cooper is playing on Sundays. Once again there are questions at QB, but fear not, Alabama fans, Henry is up for the challenge. If Henry plays like we as Alabama fans know he can, then the country should be shaking in their boots.
4. Leonard Fournette
When LSU running back Leonard Fournette entered his freshman year, many predicted him winning the Heisman trophy without him having played a single snap. We have not seen this type of hype surrounding a running back since Adrian Petersen. It took a while for Fournette to really hit his stride, but once he did, everyone started to understand the hype. He is going to have to play a big role for the Tigers this season with question still at quarterback, but believe me, Fournette is going to be a nightmare to face week in and week out.
5. Dark Horse: Joshua Dobbs
There is a bunch of hype surrounding the Tennessee Volunteers this upcoming season, and a huge reason for that is second-year starter Joshua Dobbs. A big and strong dual-threat QB, Dobbs posses everything that a QB would need to sneak into the Heisman conversation. If he can break long standing losing streaks to both Alabama and Florida, and lead the Vols to at least compete for the East title, then don’t be surprised to see this young signal caller in New York City.
To win the most coveted individual award in sports is no easy task, and sometimes the person who wins it is someone no one saw coming. That being said, these guys are the ones who aren’t going to be sneaking up on anyone. And to hear one of their names announced In New York City would come as a shock to no one. But this is college football we are talking about, where anything can happen.
