2015 College Football Predictions – Heisman Trophy Dark Horses and Sleepers

2015 College Football Predictions – Heisman Trophy Dark Horses and Sleepers: Last year, Oregon QB Marcus Mariota entered the season as one of the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy, and he more than lived up to the hype on his way to winning the award. However, preseason favorites haven’t exactly dominated the voting in recent years. Cam Newton, Mark Ingram, Johnny Manziel and Jameis Winston are just a few of the players in the last 10 years that have entered the year as under-the-radar candidates that have ended up taking home the Heisman. With that in mind, here is a closer look at some dark horse and sleeper candidates to watch in the 2015 college football season. Don’t forget to get more expert 2015 College Football picks and predictions from our top handicappers this season.

2015 College Football Predictions – Heisman Trophy Dark Horses and Sleepers

The Dark Horses

Injuries cut his freshman season short, but Clemson QB Deshaun Watson was still able to showcase he dual-threat potential. He threw for 1,466 yards and 14 scores while completing 67.9 percent of his passes and throwing just two interceptions. He also added 200 yards on the ground and two scores. The Tigers are favored to win the ACC this season, and if Watson is able to stay under center all year, he should be able to put together a resume that will gain the attention of Heisman voters, especially if he delivers in showcase games against Notre Dame and Florida State.

The Oregon coaching staff has made it clear how impressed it is with the improvement RB Royce Freeman has made this offseason, which should have opponents a little scared considering Freeman ran for 1,365 yards and 18 scores as a true freshman last year. Freeman provides a powerful presence to the Ducks’ high-powered, up-tempo attack, and with fellow back Thomas Tyner going down with an injury this offseason, Freeman should see even more touches in 2015. He could easily lead the country in touchdowns this year.

Among returning players, only Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett finished higher in last year’s Heisman voting that Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott, and Barrett isn’t even a lock to start for his team in 2015. Prescott was the driving force of the upstart Bulldogs last year, throwing for 3,449 yards and 27 scores and rushing for 986 yards and 14 scores. Now a senior, Prescott can make a real run at the Heisman if he can continue his steady progression while keeping Mississippi State relevant in the rugged SEC.

Although he has never been a starter, Auburn QB Jeremy Johnson should make a quick impact in his first year directing the Tigers’ high-powered attack. After all, he completed an impressive 75.7 percent of his passes in spot duty last year, and Auburn’s system as offensive friendly as any in the country. Cam Newton, Jameis Winston and Johnny Manziel have all won the Heisman in their first years under center, so it is not like Johnson would be in rare company. Plus, potentially winning a tough conference like the SEC gives Johnson one heck of a trump card compared to other Heisman hopefuls.

He quickly established himself as the focal point of Oklahoma’s offense last year, and Samaje Perine finished his freshman season with 1,713 rushing yards and 21 scores, and he rushed for a record 427 yards against Kansas. Perine wasn’t even the unquestioned starter until the fourth game of the season last year, and as the starter from Day 1 in 2015, 2,000 yards and a Heisman are well within reach.

The Sleeper

It has been almost two decades since a defensive player won the Heisman Trophy, but Arizona LB Scooby Wright finished ninth in the voting last year, putting him third among returning players. He is not only a tackling machine from the inside linebacker spot, but he is also a dynamic playmaker. In addition to his 163 tackles last year, he also logged 14.0 sacks, 29.0 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles. If Wright can make a few big plays in big games, he could pull off the upset.

Get more 2015 College Football betting odds for the 2015 season updated daily on NSAwins.com including updated odds to win the 2016 National Championship.