Trevone Boykin
The Heisman Trophy debate always looms large at the start of every college football season. The past five Heisman winners have been quarterbacks, so don’t expect the pattern to change this year. Although running backs like OSU’s Ezekiel Elliott, LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Georgia’s Nick Chubb are all strong candidates, there’s one dual-threat quarterback down in Fort Worth, Texas that stands out above the strong field of running backs.
Senior Trevone Boykin is coming off the best season a TCU quarterback has ever had, leading the Horned Frogs to a 12-1 record capped off by a statement win against Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. Boykin accounted for 4,608 yards of total offense, throwing for a school record of 3,901 yards with 33 touchdowns. Originally recruited as a receiver, Boykin was converted to QB. What a rewarding decision that has been for Coach Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs. Boykin has already accounted for 531 yards and five touchdowns through two games of the young 2015 season.
TCU will finally earn the respect they deserve from both the playoff committee for the team, and the Heisman voters for Boykin when he takes the award in New York.
— Austin Shone
Cody Kessler
As the 2014 college football season came to a close the two past Heisman Trophy winners, Jameis Winston of Florida State and Marcus Mariota of Oregon, announced their intentions to forgo their next year of eligibility and go to the NFL.
This season, many of the favorites include Ohio State Buckeyes and pocket passers. I’m picking one of the candidates from the latter: USC QB Cody Kessler.
Although the Ohio State candidates, most notably running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Cardale Jones, intrigue me, Kessler is the optimal candidate. Kessler had a huge season last year that ultimately went under the radar, throwing 39 touchdowns opposed to a measly five interceptions. In two games this season, Kessler has already thrown seven touchdown passes with no interceptions.
Not only have Kessler’s stats been incredible, but his mechanics are great and his character is sharp. Although the Trojans were 9-4 last season and ended as No. 20, the prospect of him being teamed up with a dramatically improved offense and a cleaned up, efficient head coach will not only make for a Heisman Trophy for Kessler. It’ll also put the Trojans in contention to make it to the four-team playoff.
— Nick Todd
