Getting to Know Your 2018 Heisman Candidates

-Kyle Langston

@kylelangston49

       It’s never too early to sit around and wonder about who will be shaking hands and giving speeches come November. Here is a good guide to get to know your candidates ahead of the big race. 

The Favorite: Bryce Love (RB/Stanford)

 

          

          Love opens the offseason with the best odds of taking home the trophy at 7/1 (Bovada). This after finishing runner-up (though by a significant margin) to Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Love made the curious decision of returning after a season that would have undoubtedly resulted in a first round nod in this year’s draft (2,118 yards on 8.1 ypc). Nevertheless, Love chose to return for his senior season with no reason not to be the favorite ahead of kickoff.

The Quarterback: Jake Fromm (QB/Georgia)

 

            

            Every Heisman winner has Heisman “moments” throughout the season. Jake Fromm will have plenty of chances for those this season. Whether it be the Bulldogs trip into Death Valley, or a potential playoff deciding game against opponent Heisman hopeful Jarrett Stidham in Athens, Fromm will have plenty of chances to prove himself on the big stage. And his track record shows he won't have any problems with that. Fromm earned a QBR of 84.1 his freshman year, that combined with playing for a playoff contender could mean this is Fromm’s award to lose.

The Popular Guy: Kyler Murray (QB/Oklahoma)

 

            

           The Heisman is a popularity contest more than those on the committee would like to admit.  Murray was drafted in the first round and signed by the Oakland Athletics, but still allowed one season under center for the Sooners. That, paired with the fact he is playing for the alma mater of 2017 winner Baker Mayfield, means he definitely checks off the popularity box.

Murray also has the advantage of being what should be the most effective dual-threat quarterback on this list, which is something the committee has historically favored. Murray still has a lot to prove since he has yet to be “the guy” for a college program, but a solid season and a couple slip ups from the others on this list and don’t be surprised if he is the one on stage come November.

 The…Defender?: Ed Oliver (DT/Houston)

 

            

           It is very rare that a defender wins the Heisman. It is nearly impossible for defensive linemen to win the Heisman, so why would I consider Oliver a candidate? He was the sixth best player in the nation coming out of high school and was condemned by many scouts for choosing to forego all his major offers and commit to the University of Houston, becoming the first 5-star athlete to commit outside the power five.

Once at Houston, Oliver became the first true freshman ever to win the Bill Willis trophy for top collegiate defensive lineman. Oliver has already chosen to declare early for the draft and is a consensus number one overall pick in 2019. Last season Oliver put up similar per game averages as Ndamukong Suh in a senior season that earned him fourth in Heisman voting. If there ever was a defensive lineman poised to win the Heisman, Ed Oliver is it.

The Dark Horse: Charlie Brewer (QB/Baylor)

 

            

              This is a surprisingly popular opinion for the leader of a team coming off of a one-win season, but that should tell you something in itself. Brewer completed 77.2% of his passes during his senior season at Lake Travis High School, breaking the national record for completion percentage in a season. After finishing his freshman campaign at the 68.1% mark, the narrative seems to be eerily familiar. 

Brewer has also shown time and time again that no moment is too big. Down 38-14 to West Virginia after the third quarter, Baylor coach Matt Rhule felt no harm could be done putting Brewer in to start the fourth. Little did he know Brewer would go on to mount a twenty-two point come back on 8 of 13 passing including 2 touchdowns, in what was one play away from the greatest comeback of the season. This just one of many times Brewer proved he is ready to thrive on the big stage. Captaining a Baylor squad with the most returning production of any team in the nation, Brewer is a name to keep in your back pocket come November.