By JOSH HELLER
Contributing Writer
—
The 2014-2015 college football season is officially underway and there is some great talent out on the field this year. Since it’s never too early to talk about the Heisman Trophy, let’s take a look at my top 10 Heisman hopefuls for this season.
10. Jake Waters, QB, Kansas State
Waters’ stats may not jump off the page, but he is certainly leading this Kansas State team. Through his first two games this season, Waters is 35-57 for 462 yards and has 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Not exactly the greatest stats, but the stats do not tell the whole tale. Waters has looked pretty sharp throwing the ball and he’s definitely trying his best to lead his Wildcats towards the College Football Playoff.
9. Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
Petty has been very good for the top-10 ranked Baylor Bears and he is definitely leading them in the right direction. Through the 2 games he has played this year, (he missed 1 game due to a back injury), Petty is 36-57 for 577 yards and has 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. These are great numbers, and if he keeps it up, people may need to start looking at Baylor as a dark horse for this year’s Playoff.
8. Taysom Hill, QB, BYU
Hill and his Cougars have been somewhat of a surprise this year. BYU actually has the best chance out of all the Football Bowl Subdivision teams to finish their season undefeated and with the stats Hill has put up so far, that does not come as a surprise. Through 3 games played Hill is 67-98 for 689 yards and has 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He has the most interceptions out of the first 3 quarterbacks that I have mentioned, but he also has 1 extra game played. BYU isn’t a school that is thought of as a top football school, but so far this year under the leadership of Hill, they have been great.
7. Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Hundley and his top-15 ranked Bruins have looked pretty good so far this season. The one cause for concern has been their offensive line, but nonetheless, Hundley’s stats have looked decent. Through 2 games, Hundley is 53-77 for 638 yards and has 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. Hundley has thrown the most passes of any quarterback with 2 games played on this list so far. Hopefully the amount of passing he needs to do will not affect him over the course of the season.
6. Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
It seems Alabama is always good no matter how many players they lose. Last year, the Crimson Tide lost quarterback AJ McCarron, who was a staple for Alabama the past 4 seasons. Even without McCarron as his quarter back , Cooper has been great for the Tide. Through 2 games, Cooper has 25 receptions for 319 yards, but only 1 touchdown. I am surprised the touchdown count is so low, but Cooper makes up for it in catches and yardage. We will see if Cooper can help lead Alabama to the promise land once again as the season progresses.
5. Everett Golson, QB, Notre Dame
Golson has looked amazing for the Fighting Irish this year. After missing last season due to academic integrity issues, people were not sure if Golson would come back as the same player, but so far he looks even better. Through 2 games played, Golson is 37-56 for 521 yards and has 8 total touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Golson makes up for the lack of yardage with his low number of interceptions thrown. Notre Dame has looked great this year, knocking out Rice Univeristy and shutting out a good Michigan team. We will see if Golson can keep it up the rest of the year for Notre Dame and work their way into the Playoff.
4. Kenny Hill, QB, Texas A&M
The heir to Johnny Football’s throne, Kenny “Trill”, has definitely helped the Aggies get off to a great start. Through 2 games played, Hill is 61-86 for 794 yards and has 7 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. If those stats don’t jump out at you, then I don’t know what will. Those numbers are just insane and the Aggies win over South Carolina on the road really stands out for me. I suggest you keep an eye on Hill and Texas A&M this season.
3. Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Last year’s Heisman winner is off to another good start, no matter his off-the-field issues. Through 2 games, Winston is 47-67 for 626 yards and has 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. The latter numbers aren’t the greatest, but the numbers don’t tell the whole story. Winston is an extremely explosive player on the field and whenever you have to go up against Winston and the Seminoles, you know they are going to give you a headache.
2. Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Gurley and the Bulldogs, even though they had a bye in week 2, have looked very good so far this season. Gurley has 15 rushes for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns, and that was just from their opener against Clemson. Gurley has explosive running ability, and if he can keep it up for the year, you should keep an eye on the Georgia Bulldogs.
1. Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Many people have to do a coin-flip between numbers 1 and 2 on this list, and it was tough for me to decide, but watching many of Oregon’s games the past 2 seasons, I feel that Mariota is the right choice early on. Through 2 games, Mariota is 31-48 for 585 yards and has 6 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Mariota has a high football IQ that can be seen as soon as he steps onto the field. He gets it done in the air, and if need be, he can get it done on the ground also. Mariota is an all-around threat and any NFL team would be lucky to have him whenever that time comes.
