The Heisman watch is underway, as it is week three in college football and running backs are finding their way back in the list this year, according to Paul Myerberg of USA Today sports.
Of course quarterbacks are always going to be talked about, but this year there is truly a chance for a running back to take the Heisman trophy home. The last running back to win the Heisman was Alabama's Mark Ingram in 2009. Alabama could have the next Heisman running back this season in Derrick Henry.
Henry has already scored six touchdowns in two games this season, and one of those games was against Wisconsin. At this rate, Henry is averaging three touchdowns a game, but that's not the only big stat for Henry as he is rushing for 7.8 yards per carry. Every time Henry touches the ball, the Crimson Tide are close to getting another first down. Henry is just one of many backs to be on the Heisman watch, as fellow SEC running back Nick Chubb has been making a statement on the field this year.
Chubb has already rushed for 309 yards in two games for the Georgia Bulldogs, and he is picking up where he left off last year. Chubb came in for the injured Todd Gurley last season, and he took college football by storm. Last season, he rushed for 1,547 yards and 14 touchdowns. With more experience than other backs, Chubb's is likely to stay on this list all year. Last week against Vanderbilt, Chubb's averaged 9.9 yards per carry, showing his dominance. Chubb isn't the only back with great experience from last season, as National Champion running back Ezekiel Elliott has continued his dominance from last season.
Elliott rushed for 1,878 yards last season and scored 18 touchdowns. The Ohio State running back is proving himself again this season and has already scored four touchdowns. Three touchdowns came last week against Hawaii, and expect him to get at least one if not more against Northern Illinois this Saturday. The biggest hurdle for Elliott to win the award would be his quarterback Cardale Jones, who could take some of the attention away from him. Jones' numbers aren't Heisman worthy now, and Elliott is likely the clear pick from that team now. Ohio State came in this season as favorites to get back to the BCS playoffs, and with Elliott behind them, their chances are looking good.
LSU running back Leonard Fournette will likely see a ton of carries this season and was a highly sought prospect in high school. Fournette already has three touchdowns and 159 yards on the ground in one game. Fournette is playing catch up with the other candidates, as LSU's game was canceled against McNeese State. It will be interesting to see if a game less has an impact on his position in the race, or if they weigh his average of yards and take into account the canceled game. Fournette may be one of the most talented backs in the country, but like Chubb and Henry, playing in the SEC can sometimes be a burden as you play top defenses week in and out.
Dalvin Cook is also in the race, and playing in the ACC for Florida State may help or hurt his case. Cook will likely need to have bigger numbers then all the other backs on this list, because it will likely be taken into consideration the level of competition. Cook has five touchdowns in two games and is averaging 8.6 yards per carry. Cook is on the outside looking in at these other four backs, but it not unlikely that he could move up in the discussion.
Any way you look at it, running backs are moving back into the Heisman discussion. This is only week three, and these guys are already putting up big numbers. The key will be to see who keeps it up, and who falls behind as the season is only likely to get tougher.
