Add The New York Post on Google A look at the Heisman Trophy contenders entering the season:
Our pick to win the award, Carr had a terrific first season under center last fall, throwing for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns, and completing 66.6 percent of his passes.
He has elite receivers in Jordan Faison and Jaden Greathouse, and will be given more responsibility after being overshadowed by star running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price a year ago.
Over his final seven games of last season, Manning threw for 1,846 yards with 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions while completing 60.3 percent of his passes.
He is surrounded by top-tier talent, from wide receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman to running backs Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers and a strong offensive line. Plus, he has the experience of last year, which should serve Eli and Peyton Manning’s nephew well.
Years ago, Moore’s decision to pass on being a top-three NFL draft pick would’ve been unheard of.
Rather than go pro, he returned to Oregon, and is expected to be one of the sport’s top players regardless of position as a redshirt junior.
Can he improve upon his 30-touchdown, 3,565-yard campaign to be the Ducks’ second Heisman Trophy winner (Marcus Mariota, 2014)?
QB Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss
The former Division II star started last fall as the backup, took over in mid-September and proceeded to lead Ole Miss to a program-record 13 wins and a berth in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
After Chambliss won a lawsuit for an extra year of eligibility, expectations are as high for the dual-threat signal-caller as Ole Miss fans’ blood pressure when the name Lane Kiffin is uttered.
Two years ago, Cam Ward excelled. Last year, it was Carson Beck. Can Mensah, an uber-talented Duke transfer, make it three quarterback hits in as many years for Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes?
Those are big shoes to fill, but Mensah has the ability to be the best of that acclaimed trio. He threw 34 touchdown passes as a sophomore at Duke — imagine what he can do with real talent around him?
The sophomore is going to win a ton of games and pile up big numbers — two key factors in being in the Heisman race.
One potential issue: all-everything receiver Jeremiah Smith could steal some of the spotlight, and the Buckeyes tend to blow out the opposition, which could limit Sayin’s opportunities compared with his competitors.
WR Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
In terms of pure talent, Smith may be the best player in the country.
In two seasons, he has racked up 163 receptions for 2,558 yards and 27 touchdowns — numbers that are already top 10 in Ohio State history across the board.
Had Smith been eligible last April, he would’ve been a top-five draft pick.
Can Curt Cignetti do it again? Hoover, a TCU transfer who threw 56 touchdown passes the past two seasons, had a more impressive track record than Fernando Mendoza did at this point last fall, and let’s not forget how well another transfer, Kurtis Rourke, played two years ago for the Hoosiers.
We’re high on the Cougars, predicting them to win the Big 12 and reach the College Football Playoff, and Martin is at the top of our list of reasons for that optimism.
The Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year is coming off a season in which he amassed 1,560 total yards and 12 scores, and his offensive line, led by All-Big 12 performer Bruce Mitchell, could be one of the nation’s premier units.
A pass rusher has never won the Heisman. The closest a player came was Pittsburgh defensive end Hugh Green coming in second in 1980.
Simmons, who had 12 sacks a year ago, has the tools to at least flirt with Heisman history. He will excel under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.
