The Big 12 is synonymous with explosive offense and suboptimal defense. That combination has allowed quarterbacks from the league to compile gaudy numbers en route to Heisman Trophy campaigns.
Four Big 12 quarterbacks have won the Heisman in the last 15 years, including three players from Oklahoma. Baker Mayfield took home the award last year, and Robert Griffin III (remember him?) won six years prior.
Several teams in the conference will have dynamic offenses again this year. There’s a good chance at least one Heisman candidate emerges from the league in 2018. Here are the five most likely players from the Big 12 to win the Heisman Trophy.
Big 12 Heisman Candidates
- David Montgomery, Iowa State
Iowa State was the biggest surprise from the Big 12 a season ago, and Montgomery played a major role in the Cyclones’ emergence. Montgomery rushed for 1,146 yards and 11 touchdowns in his sophomore season as Iowa State won at least eight games for the first time since 2000.
Montgomery should have another big season in 2018. However, it’s very difficult to win the Heisman Trophy without being on a championship contender, and it’s unlikely Iowa State will contend for a national or conference title. No player from Iowa State has ever won the Heisman; running back Troy Davis came the closest in 1996 when he finished second behind Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel.
- Shawn Robinson, TCU
Robinson only has one career start in his career, but the true sophomore has the potential to be a breakout star in college football this year. The dual-threat quarterback threw for three touchdowns as a true freshman with no interceptions. He also ran for 159 yards on 23 carries.
Shawn Robinson of TCU is the most talented starting QB in the #Big12 right now. I saw him and #OU QB Kyler Murray face each other in high school when he was much younger, unknown and Murray was the No. 1 recruit in the country. It was apparent even then.
— Landry Locker (@LandryLocker) June 5, 2018
At 6’2, 225, Robinson has the size and frame to carry the ball often throughout the year. His passing needs work, but Gary Patterson’s offense has had success in the past with a dual-threat QB. Only one player from TCU has ever won the Heisman. Davey O’Brien took home the award in 1938. Sammy Baugh, Jim Swink, LaDainian Tomlinson and Trevone Boykin all finished in the top five of the voting.
- Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
Murray was drafted No. 9 overall in the MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics, but he worked out a deal with the team where he can play college football for the Sooners in the fall.
Kyler Murray and the A's have a deal that guarantees him close to $5M and allows him to play football (he's a QB and could be Baker Mayfield's replacement) at Oklahoma for 1 year.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) June 6, 2018
Murray was a 5-star prospect out of high school, and he spent the first year of his career at Texas A&M. He threw for five touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games that season before transferring to Oklahoma.
Now, the 5’10, 190-pound Murray is tasked with taking over for Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield. The Oklahoma offense will look much different with Murray at the helm. While Mayfield was incredibly accurate, Murray will make more plays with his feet. Murray looked more confident throwing the ball last year while filling in for Mayfield than he did at Texas A&M. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley is known for his prolific offenses. Oklahoma should still be electric offensively, and Murray could be in store for a huge season.
- Rodney Anderson, Oklahoma
The presence of junior running back Rodney Anderson in the backfield should make life a little easier for Murray. Anderson burst onto the scene last year and rushed for nearly 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 281 yards and five touchdowns.
Defenses will focus more on Anderson this year since Murray isn’t as much of a passing threat as Mayfield was a year ago. But he was terrific throughout the year and elevated his game down the stretch. It’s more difficult for running backs to win the Heisman than quarterbacks; the only two backs to win the award in the last decade have been from Alabama (Mark Ingram in 2009 and Derrick Henry in 2015). Nevertheless, Anderson has the ability to have a monstrous year rushing and in the passing game for the Sooners.
- Will Grier, West Virginia
If Grier can stay healthy, he fits the criteria for a Heisman Trophy candidate. Grier will have plenty of opportunities to put up big numbers in Dana Holgorsen’s offense. He threw for about 3,500 yards, 34 touchdowns and 12 interceptions a season ago in 11 games. The Mountaineers have several weapons offensively; Grier and receiver David Sills had great chemistry throughout last season.
The only thing that could hold Grier back is West Virginia’s relevance on a national level. If the Mountaineers are a contender in the Big 12, Grier will likely be the reason why and he will be in the mix for the Heisman. But if West Virginia is a 7-8 win team again, it’s unrealistic to expect Grier to emerge as a Heisman candidate.
Grier will have impressive stats as long as he’s on the field. If he can steer his team towards the top of the Big 12, he has a chance to contend for the sport’s most prestigious award.
