2017 Heisman Watch (Week 13)

1. Saquon Barkley | Penn State RB | Junior | Last week: 1

Many don’t have Saquon Barkley near the top of the Heisman conversation, but his all-around game and ability as a receiver is what keeps him in the top five. His receiving numbers are superb for a running back, and it needs to be taken into account when discussing the best player in the country. Unlike everyone on the list except Lamar Jackson, though, Barkley doesn’t have a conference championship to play in this weekend. So those below him, including Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, have a chance to make a final statement for the voters.

 

Season stats:

199 ATT | 1,134 YDS | 5.7 AVG | 16 TD

47 REC | 594 YDS | 12.6 AVG | 3 TD

15 RET | 426 YDS | 28.4 AVG | 2 TD

100% | 16 YDS | 1 PASS TD

 

2. Baker Mayfield | Oklahoma QB | Senior | Last week: 2

He didn’t start against West Virginia, but Baker Mayfield had as many incompletions as touchdowns, with just three. Mayfield simply throws darts all over the field and allows his receivers to make plays, and he averaged a whopping 16.5 yards per attempt in the win over the Mountaineers. The confident gunslinger will look to light up TCU again in the Big 12 Championship.

 

Season stats:

71.4% | 4,097 YDS | 37 TD | 5 INT

79 ATT | 245 YDS | 3.1 AVG | 5 TD

 

3. Lamar Jackson | Louisville QB | Junior | Last week: 3

Things got chippy between Lamar Jackson’s Louisville squad against the rival Kentucky Wildcats, and the reigning Heisman winner was right in the middle of it. During the game, all Jackson did was add another two touchdown tosses along with another 156 yards rushing, and his 42 total touchdowns and 4,932 yards are unmatched in college football. He doesn’t have any more games before the Heisman voting, but there’s a clear argument that he did enough to be the second-ever two-time winner of the prestigious trophy.

 

Season stats:

60.4% | 3,489 YDS | 25 TD | 6 INT

208 ATT | 1,443 YDS | 6.9 AVG | 17 TD

 

4. Bryce Love | Stanford RB | Junior | Last week: 4

Bryce Love didn’t put up a huge performance with a lot of scoring, but he totaled 125 yards on 20 attempts, including a long of 31 yards in the victory over Notre Dame. He’ll have another primetime opportunity in the Pac-12 Championship on Friday night against USC, and it could be the game that gets him over 2,000 rushing yards for the season.

 

Season stats:

215 ATT | 1,848 YDS | 8.6 AVG | 16 TD

6 REC | 33 YDS | 5.5 AVG

 

5. Kerryon Johnson | Auburn RB | Junior | Last week: 5

Alabama did a good job of limiting Kerryon Johnson in the Iron Bowl, but they couldn’t fully contain the Le’Veon Bell-esque back, who carried 30 times for 104 yards and a touchdown in the victory to help send his team to the SEC Championship. The injury suffered toward the end of the win is an obvious concern, but Johnson is expected to be out there against Georgia and certainly has a chance to put up a performance that could swing some voters in his direction.

 

Season stats:

250 ATT | 1,276 YDS | 5.1 AVG | 17 TD

21 REC | 187 YDS | 8.9 AVG | 2 TD