In the Mix 1 2 3

he Daily Reveille Woods’HEISMAN POWER RANKINGS The Heisman Trophy is the most highly touted individual award in INTO THE college football. With the start of the season rapidly approaching, I WOODS break down my top candidates. Stay tuned for updates throughout JACK WOODS the season. Sports Columnist 1 TREVONE BOYKIN, SENIOR QB, TCU 4 EZEKIEL ELLIOTT, JUNIOR RB, OHIO STATE You’d be hard pressed to ind a quarterback returning to a top program who Ohio State’s quarterbacks aren’t the only Buckeyes attracting Heisman buzz. had a better 2014 season than Boykin. He led the Horned Frogs to a 12-1 Elliott is the team’s strongest candidate (despite the fact that QBs often win even (8-1 Big 12 Conference) record, including a 42-3 dismantling of Ole Miss in when a player of a different position is more deserving). He capitalized on his 273 the Chick-il-A Peach Bowl and a share of the Big 12 title. Boykin racked up carries, rushing for 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns. He posted more than 200 3,901 passing yards and 33 touchdowns while throwing just 10 interceptions. yards rushing in the Big 10 Championship Game and both College Football Playoff He also rushed for 707 yards and eight touchdowns. A senior quarterback games. His 220-yard performance against Wisconsin, his 230-yard effort against who produces at an exceptional level for a national title contender will always Alabama and his 246-yard showing against Oregon were his three highest totals of be a Heisman frontrunner. With the Horned Frogs ranked No. 2 in the pre- the season. Saving your best performances for the biggest stage is impressive. In season polls, the spotlight will be on Boykin from the irst snap. a world where athletes are heavily criticized for choking in the clutch, Elliott’s late-season efforts stick out that much more. 2 CODY KESSLER, SENIOR QB, USC 5 NICK CHUBB, SOPHOMORE RB, GEORGIA If there’s a quarterback returning to a highly-ranked team who had a better Chubb entered the 2014 season as a true freshman and as the backup to irst season than Boykin, it’s Kessler. He threw for 3,826 yards, completed 69.7 round draft pick Todd Gurley. He ended it as the starter, rushing for 1,547 yards on percent of his passes and tossed 39 touchdowns, compared to a measly ive 219 carries (7.1 yards per carry) and 14 touchdowns. Those are gaudy numbers interceptions. USC looks poised to make a run at a Pac-12 Championship, for anyone, let alone a guy who only started eight games. With a new starting which could see Kessler gain even more attention and catapult him into the quarterback, Chubb should see plenty of carries, even if sophomore Sony Michel race. and senior Keith Marshall are healthy and getting some looks. CARDALE JONES, JUNIOR QB, OHIO STATE 3 J.T. BARRETT, SOPHOMORE QB, OHIO STATE IN THE MIX One of these guys is going to start, meaning one of them will put up impressive numbers while the Buckeyes compile win after win. Barrett took over the starting LEONARD FOURNETTE, SOPHOMORE RB, LSU job last year when Braxton Miller went down with a season-ending injury. He The only thing that might be able to slow Fournette down this year is a backield proved a suitable replacement, throwing for 2,834 yards and 34 touchdowns, and stocked with a lot of talent. had a completion percentage of 64.6 and the second highest passing eficiency in the nation (169.8) until he succumbed to an injury of his own. Jones took over for Barrett and all he managed to do was bring the Buckeyes a National Champi- CONNOR COOK, SENIOR QB, MICHIGAN STATE onship. Barrett and Jones are so talented that the Buckeyes will have a backup Cook had solid production last season for the Spartans, and with his team quarterback capable of playing at a high level. Oh, and Ohio State has that Miller ranked No. 5 in the preseason AP Top 25, he’ll have people’s attention. guy playing wide reciever. I hear he isn’t half bad at quarterback himself..

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