2018 College Football Top Heisman Candidates

By Domenic Buccini

 

With the 2018 college football season closing in, I decided to break down my top ten players most likely to win the Heisman this year. There’s many players that people see winning it in this list, but there’s other players in this list that are sleeper picks.

 

AJ Dillon

Running Back

Boston College

Height: 6’0’

Weight: 245

 

AJ Dillon flew onto the scene last year as a true freshman and put on a show. Dillon rushed for 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns. This is very impressive for a true freshman, especially since at the beginning of the year, he didn’t get the full workload which took away from higher stats. This season he’ll look to build off of his great season last year, with the best offensive line in the ACC and one of the best offensive lines in the country. AJ DIllon will rush for over 2,000 yards and 20 plus touchdowns and take home the Heisman.

 

Bryce Love

Running Back

Stanford

Height: 5’10’

Weight: 196

 

Bryce Love finished second for Heisman voting last year, and showed why people should know his name. Love rushed for 2,118 yards and 19 touchdowns. Stanford will have a solid offensive line to help love compete for the Heisman this year. Stanford also has a good QB that will not allow opposing defenses to stack the box against them. I project Bryce Love to rush for around 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns and finishes third for Heisman voting.

 

Jonathan Taylor

Running Back

Wisconsin

Height: 5’11’

Weight: 216

 

Jonathan Taylor was another true freshman that lit up all the defenses that he went against. Last year, Taylor rushed for 1,977 yards and 13 touchdowns and was the primary source of Wisconsin’s scoring. This year, Jonathan will look to break the 2k mark, and should do so as they have the best offensive line in the whole nation. This upcoming year, I see Jonathan Taylor rushing for 2,000 plus yards and 18 touchdowns, and finishing fourth in the Heisman voting.

 

 

 

Will Grier

Quarterback

West Virginia

Height: 6’2’

Weight: 214

 

Will Grier put on a great showing last year, and led West Virginia to a great season. Grier threw for 3,490 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, behind some great receivers. This year, Grier will have even more weapons and will look to do even more damage as he missed the last couple of games last year. I can see Will Grier passing for 4,000 plus yards, 38 plus touchdowns, and around 10 interceptions, and will finish second in the Heisman voting

 

 

Damien Harris

Running Back

Alabama

Height: 5’11

Weight: 214

 

Damien Harris was a key weapon for Alabama’s whole success last year. Harris was the main rusher for the Crimson Tide as he rushed for exactly 1,000 yards and 12 touchdowns. He will in all likelihood get more rushing attempts this year, and with a good offensive line, he will look to compete for the Heisman. I can see Harris finishing with around 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns to finish out of the top 5 for voting.

 

 

Ed Oliver

Defensive Tackle

Houston

Height: 6’3’

Weight: 290

 

Arguably of of the best ever to play defensive tackle in college, Ed Oliver has led Houston’s defense every year. Last year Oliver had 73 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles. These are crazy stats for a defensive tackle, and he will look to build on it this year, along with being used in short yardage situations and goal line situations to increase his chances of the Heisman. I see Ed Oliver finishing with 75 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, and 3 forced fumbles, and finish out of the top 5 for the Heisman.

 

 

 

Deebo Samuel

Wide Receiver

South Carolina

Height: 6’0’

Weight: 205

 

Deebo Samuel was off to an incredible last season until he suffered a season ending injury. Last season Samuel put up 250 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns in three games played. This year you can expect big things for him as he has a great quarterback and will be ready to rack up the yards. I project that Deebo Samuel will have 1,400 plus receiving yards and 15 touchdowns and just finish outside of the top 5.

 

 

Justin Herbert

Quarterback

Oregon

Height: 6’6

Weight: 233

 

Justin Herbert has been a star for a couple years now, but injuries have plagued his career so far. Herbert threw for 1,983, 15 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. With an arsenal of weapons, if he’s fully healthy all season, he can really do some damage in the Heisman voting. This season, when fully healthy, Justin Herbert will throw for 3,400 plus yards, 18 plus touchdowns, and 7 interceptions to finish outside of the top 5.

 

 

 

Jake Fromm

Quarterback

Georgia

Height: 6’5’

Weight: 225

 

As a true freshman, Jake Fromm impressed as he led the Bulldogs to the Championship Game. Last year, Fromm threw for 2,615 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. Jake Fromm has the best receiving core in the whole nation as they got a 5 star transfer who is eligible right away. This upcoming year, I see Jake Fromm throwing for 3,500 plus yards, 25 touchdowns and 8 interceptions to finish 5th in the Heisman voting.

 

 

Khalil Tate

Quarterback

Arizona

Height: 6’2’

Weight: 208

 

Tate took the college game by storm last year. He threw for 1,591 yards, 14 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, and rushed for 1,411 yards and 12 touchdowns. I think with an improved team he can be in the race for the whole season. I project that Khalil Tate finishes with 1,800 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, and 1,600 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, and he ends up falling just short of the top 5.