Heisman Race 2016: Jackson still the favorite, but Peppers gaining steam
Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
The Heisman Race is heating up as the college football season is at the half way point and here are my contenders that are putting in work.
Lamar Jackson QB Louisville
Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Passing: 59.4% 1,625 yards 14 TD 4 int 92.6 QBR
Rushing: 688 yards 7.5 avg 14 TD
Superman has been the most exciting player in college football all season and is putting up numbers both running and throwing the ball. The Cards lost to Louisville may have hurt their chances at the playoffs but Jackson is still the favorite to win if he keeps up at this record pace.
DeShaun Watson QB Clemson
Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Passing: 60.5% 1,568 yards 18 TD 7 int 70.8 QBR
Rushing: 239 yards 4.2 avg
The tigers signal caller put himself back in the race with a close win against the cardinals, but statistically he is not where he was at this point last season. He will have to keep the Tigers undefeated to keep up with Jackson.
J.T. Barrett QB Ohio State
Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Passing: 64.2% 981 yards 15 TD 3 int 60.9 QBR
Rushing: 342 yards 4.9 avg 4 TD
Barrett is the next best athlete to Jackson and will likely put the buckeyes in the playoffs at seasons end. Ohio State can put up points in all their remaining games until the finale against Michigan, a game that could boost him to the front of the race.
Jabril Peppers DB/RB/LB Michigan
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
33 tackles 7.5 TFL 2 sacks
Rushing: 5 car 98 yards 19.6 avg 2 TD
Returns: 14 punt ret 249 yards 17.8 avg 1 TD
Kick returns: 3 ret 95 yards 31.7 avg
Peppers Heisman talk is picking up steam every week and his coach Jim Harbaugh has even proclaimed his as the winner. He is in good shape as long as Michigan keeps winning and they pull off a win against rival Ohio State and fellow candidate J.T. Barrett.
Jake Browning QB Washington
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Passing: 72.2% 1,418 yards 23 TD 2 int 204.9 rtg
Rushing: 48 rushing yards 3 TD
Browning has been one of the reasons for the Huskies revival and his 8 touchdown performance against Oregon may be one of the best so far this season, with no clear contender in the Pac-12 the Huskies could run the table keeping him in the race.
