The Big 10 has a staggering number of players who have garnered Heisman Trophy buzz this offseason.
Several quarterbacks and running backs from the league are expected to have big seasons. There’s even been discussion surrounding Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa becoming the first defensive player in over two decades to win the award.
Bosa winning the Heisman is very unlikely. However, there are many Big 10 players capable of winning the Heisman.
The Big 10 currently has the longest Heisman drought of any Power 5 conference. Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith was the Big 10 player to win the award in 2006. The league has produced several quality candidates in the last several years, but this might finally be the year when the conference produces another Heisman winner.
Here are the five most likely Big 10 Heisman candidates for the 2018 season. Additionally, check out our top five candidates from the Pac-12, Big 12 and ACC.
Big 10 Heisman Candidates
- Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State
Ohio State fans only saw a glimpse of Haskins last year as a backup to J.T. Barrett. Nevertheless, the rising sophomore was impressive in a limited role. Haskins threw for 565 yards, four touchdowns and an interception while completing 70 percent of his passes.
Haskins, a former four-star recruit, is a different style of quarterback than Barrett. Where Barrett was very effective on the ground, Haskins is more of a pocket passer. The combination of Haskins and JK Dobbins in the backfield should produce an electric offense for the Buckeyes. If that’s the case, Haskins could easily earn an invite to New York.
- Shea Patterson, Michigan
The only thing missing from Jim Harbaugh’s offense the last three years at Michigan has been a quarterback. Harbaugh found his answer when Shea Patterson opted to transfer from Ole Miss to Michigan after two seasons. Patterson was the No. 1 ranked QB and No. 4 player overall in the Class of 2016. He is the best quarterback Harbaugh has coached in college since Andrew Luck.
Shea Patterson has been selected in the #MLBDraft. 🤔
But we know he’ll be with us this season. #GoBlue | #ProBlue https://t.co/b3lUglJKtG
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) June 6, 2018
Patterson struggled a bit with turnovers during his two seasons at Ole Miss. He threw for over 3,000 yards, 23 touchdowns and 12 interceptions with the Rebels. Harbaugh should be able to get the most out of Patterson. If Patterson can help turn Michigan into a contender, there’s a good chance he’ll earn himself a Heisman invite.
- Trace McSorley, Penn State
Saquon Barkley stole the headlines — and rightfully so — but McSorley was terrific in the last two seasons. McSorley threw for nearly 7,000 yards, 55 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in the last two years combined. It certainly helped having Barkley in the backfield, but McSorley took over several games when defenses keyed on the star running back.
The games Penn State lost or struggled coincided with games where McSorley didn’t play his best. He threw three interceptions in a loss to Michigan State. In a loss to Ohio State, he completed less than 60 percent of his passes and threw for only 192 yards.
Without Barkley, the onus will be on McSorley in 2018. Penn State is still expected to have a great team, and the pressure will be on the senior QB to deliver each week. If he comes through, he might be rewarded with a Heisman invite.
- J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State
Dobbins burst onto the scene in Ohio State’s season opener against Indiana in his first career collegiate game. He rushed 29 times for 181 yards, and it the beginning of a terrific freshman campaign. Dobbins rushed for 1,403 yards and seven touchdowns on only 194 carries.
To win the Heisman, Dobbins will need to increase his touchdown total in 2018. J.T. Barrett took some of those goal line touchdowns away from Dobbins last year. This year, those carries will likely be given to Dobbins. He’s an explosive back who’s capable of taking any carry the distance. If Urban Meyer relies on him the way he should, Dobbins will have a monstrous season.
- Johnathan Taylor, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin back is one of the Heisman favorites for a reason. As a freshman, Taylor rushed for 1,977 yards and 13 touchdowns. He carried the ball 299 times last year, and he’ll probably have about the same number of carries this season. Wisconsin is known for running the ball, and Taylor will have every opportunity to earn himself an invite to New York.
Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor on the ground pic.twitter.com/pyFJjcfp5K
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 9, 2018
Another thing working in Taylor’s favor is that his team should contend for a Big 10 title and possibly a playoff berth. The Badgers were 13-1 a season ago. If they have a similar season, it will give Taylor more chances to impress Heisman voters in big games. It’s tougher for running backs to win the award than quarterbacks. However, it will be difficult to ignore Taylor if he rushes for over 2,000 yards on a championship contender.
