2016 College Football Heisman Watch: Favorites and Contenders after Week 3

2016 College Football Heisman Watch – Favorites and Contenders after Week 3: The 2016 college football season is starting to hit high gear, and while it is way too early to crown a Heisman Trophy winner, there are always a few players that put themselves in the conversation with a fast start to the season. This year is no exception, and as conference play starts to begin, it’s time to take a closer look at the early frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy.

2016 College Football Heisman Watch: Favorites and Contenders after Week 3

The Favorites

It was easy to dismiss the 13 touchdowns he piled up in the first two games against inferior competition, but after the performance of Louisville QB Lamar Jackson against Florida State, the dual-threat weapon has positioned himself as one of the Heisman favorites. He piled up five scores as the Cardinals routed the Seminoles, throwing for 216 yards and running for 146 more. Jackson has now rushed for 464 yards and 10 scores and thrown for 913 yards and eight scores in just three games, and he looks unstoppable as the engine running Bobby Petrino’s offense.

He entered the season as a Heisman frontrunner, and Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey hasn’t disappointed. Against quality opponents Kansas State and USC, the do-it-all back has rushed for 298 yards and three scores, adding 10 catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. He is averaging 5.6 yards per carry on the ground, and he is still being used in the return game. Even with defenses focusing on McCaffrey, it doesn’t look like he will be slowed down.

The Contenders

After splitting reps last year, Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett is thriving as the unquestioned starter. The dual-threat weapon has tallied a combined 13 touchdowns through three games, completing 67.1 percent of his passes and averaging more than 50 yards per game on the ground. Barrett and company went on the road and shredded Oklahoma in Week 3, and if the Buckeyes keep on piling up points and wins, Barrett should continue to strengthen his Heisman candidacy.

While it is tough for a defensive player to make a run at the Heisman, Michigan LB Jabrill Peppers is no ordinary defensive player. Through three games, he has tallied 25 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, while continuing to receive touches on the offensive side of the ball and on special teams. Peppers took a punt 54 yards for a score against Colorado in Week 3, and if he continues to be an explosive playmaker in every facet of the game, it won’t matter that his position is listed as linebacker.

Everyone loves a Cinderella story, and Houston QB Greg Ward Jr. has his Cougars positioned to potentially crash the College Football Playoff. He threw for 321 yards and two scores in a Week 1 upset of Oklahoma, and he threw for 326 yards and ran for 73 more in Week 3 to help Houston hold back an upset-minded Cincinnati team. Ward has always been a threat with his legs, and he appears to have made a big leap as a passer. The Cougars haven’t lost with Ward under center since the start of last season, and if they run the table this season, Ward will garner plenty of consideration from Heisman voters.

After his second straight 200-yard rushing performance, San Diego State RB Donnel Pumphrey now leads the nation with 599 rushing yards. He is averaging an impressive 8.2 yards per carry, and he has scored seven times. The Aztecs don’t really have any statement games on their schedule, but if Pumphrey tops 2,000 yards and scores 20-plus times, he should at least earn himself an invitation to the Heisman ceremony. If he starts to break records, he might just be the surprise winner.

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