In the last five years, the ACC has elevated itself to one of the two best conferences in college football along with the SEC. Two of the last five national champions are from the ACC. Additionally, two of the last five Heisman Trophy winners are also from the conference.
Lamar Jackson won the Heisman in 2016 at Louisville, and he was a finalist again in 2017. Jameis Winston won the award as a redshirt freshman in 2013 at Florida State. Though Deshaun Watson somehow didn’t win the Heisman, he was a finalist in back-to-back seasons while leading Clemson to a national championship.
Those three quarterbacks were exceptional, and there doesn’t appear to be a QB in the league capable of playing on that level. Of course, a handful of players are capable of breaking out and becoming stars this season.
Here are the five most likely ACC Heisman candidates for the 2018 season. Also, check out our top five candidates from the Big 12.
ACC Heisman Candidates
5. Ryan Finley, NC State
Finley guided the Wolfpack to a nine-win season a year ago. His accuracy went from 60.4 percent to 65.1 from 2016 to 2017, and he had a touchdown/interception ratio of 17/6. He also threw for over 3,500 yards on the year.
Admittedly, Finley is a long shot to receive a Heisman invite. But if he is more accurate and NC State wins double-digit games, he could possibly earn the necessary recognition.
4. Malik Rosier, Miami
Rosier was inconsistent a season ago, and he isn’t even guaranteed to be the starter this fall. But when Miami needed him, Rosier delivered — especially in the win over Florida State.
Although Rosier showed flashes of excellence, the Hurricanes will need him to elevate his game in 2018. He threw for 3,130 yards and 26 touchdowns last season as a junior. However, he also threw 14 interceptions and completed only 54 percent of his passes.
If Miami is still a contender and Rosier is more consistent, it’s possible Rosier could be a Heisman candidate.
3. Josh Jackson, Virginia Tech
As a true freshman, Jackson threw for nearly 3,000 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Hokies won nine games with Jackson, and he should take a leap this fall as a sophomore — if he qualifies academically.
Virginia Tech starting QB Josh Jackson has been suspended indefinitely pending an investigation into an academic issue, per sources.
— Mike McDaniel (@MikeMcDanielSI) June 7, 2018
If Jackson misses any time, he obviously won’t have much of a chance to win the Heisman. But if he’s on the field, he’s a difference maker.
Virginia Tech will likely be a contender in the ACC, and they need Jackson to improve from a season ago. The schedule is difficult, and Jackson will have an opportunity to shine in the season opener at Florida State.
2. Kelly Bryant, Clemson
Clemson is going to have a great team again in 2018. There’s a good chance the Tigers will be back in the College Football Playoffs for the fourth straight season. Bryant might not necessarily be the reason why Clemson will be a title contender — the Tigers are loaded with potential first round pick on the defensive front — but he should be able to put up big numbers during his senior season.
Kelly Bryant returns with the highest adjusted completion percentage among ACC QBs pic.twitter.com/J0tQvOvoKD
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 8, 2018
Bryant threw for 2,800 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a junior. He also rushed for 665 yards and 11 touchdowns. He completed 66 percent of his passes, but he wasn’t nearly as effective throwing down the field as Deshaun Watson.
Bryant has the ability to take his game to the next level. Dabo Swinney needs him to be more efficient if the Tigers are going to win a national championship. Alabama shut Bryant and the Tigers down in the semifinals last season, and it’s clear Clemson needs Bryant to improve as a passer.
If Bryant takes that next step, Clemson will be very, very tough to beat. And Bryant could very well earn himself an invite to New York in December.
1. Cam Akers, Florida State
Running backs don’t win the Heisman trophy as often as they did two decades ago, but Akers has the talent to win the award before he leaves Tallahassee. Akers rushed for 1,025 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman. Defenses keyed on him after starting quarterback Deondre Francois was injured in the season opener against Alabama. Otherwise, Akers might have had a better season a year ago.
New Florida State head coach Willie Taggart will rely on Akers early and often in 2018. During Taggart’s only season at Oregon, running back Royce Freeman rushed for nearly 1,500 yards. When Taggart was at South Florida, Marlon Mack had three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
The FSU offense will revolve around Akers, and he’s poised for a monstrous season. If Florida State gets back on track and contends for an ACC title, expect a big season and Heisman buzz surrounding Akers.
