Yardbarker
x
The five 2016 Heisman finalists: How do they measure up?
Lamar Jackson of the University of Louisville has been in the Heisman discussion all season, but the Cardinals dropping the last two games of the season might have created some doubt in voters' minds despite his record-setting year. Billie Weiss/Getty Images

The five 2016 Heisman finalists: How do they measure up?

The five finalists for the 2016 Heisman Trophy have been announced and we have an interesting list heading to New York. Unlike last season where just three finalists, there is a full stable of worthy candidates this year and only one returnee.

Below is the list, in alphabetical order:

Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
(3,390 yds pass, 30 TDs, 9 INT; 1,538 yds rush, 21 TDs)
Jackson has been the odds on favorite for most of the season. He started the year with an eight-touchdown effort against Charlotte and hasn't looked back. Jackson, Louisville's first Heisman finalist, is the first FBS player to ever throw for over 3,300 yards and rush for 1,500 yards while setting the ACC record for total touchdowns. He's been great all year, though there has been some doubt after the Cardinals lost their final two games of the season. Still, he's the man to beat.

Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
(3,669 yds pass, 38 TDs, 8 INT; 143 yds rush, 6 TDs)
Mayfield has been on a tear of late. After a rough start to the season for the Sooners, Mayfield got his groove back during Big 12 play. Mayfield threw for at least two touchdowns in every game this season. Mayfield really shined in a shootout against Texas Tech where he threw for 545 yards and 7 touchdowns. One thing that could hurt Mayfield is that votes could be split with his receiver Dede Westbrook. Still, just getting invited to New York is a huge honor.

Jabrill Peppers, LB, Michigan
(66 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 INT; 167 yds rush, 3 TDs; punt return TD)
Peppers is trying to become only the second primary defensive player to win the Heisman (the other was Michigan's Charles Woodson in 1997). He's been all over the field for the Wolverines as a linebacker, kick returner, punt returner, running back, receiver, etc. Though it is highly unlikely that Peppers will win the Heisman, being invited to the ceremony is special for any defensive player. The last one to do so was Notre Dame's Manti Teo in 2012.

Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
(3,914 yds pass, 37 TDs, 15 INT; 529 yds rush, 6 TD)
Watson finished third in Heisman voting last year and is the only returning finalist. If there is anyone would could pull the Heisman upset, it seems to be Watson. While Lamar Jackson and Louisville were losing their final two games of the season, Clemson looked awesome against South Carolina and Virginia Tech and won an ACC championship. Watson also beat Jackson in their head-to-head meeting and is the only Heisman finalist who will play in the College Football Playoff.

Dede Westbrook, WR, Oklahoma
(74 receptions, 1,465 rec yards, 16 TDs)
Westbrook has been a big play guy as his touchdowns have gone for an average of 48.8 yards – simply amazing. What's even more amazing is that Westbrook was basically non-existent in the first three games of the season (just 17 receptions for 154 yards and without a single TD) and scored all of his touchdowns in his final nine games. He owns the Sooners record for receiving touchdowns in a season and has personally had more receiving yards than three FBS schools. Like Mayfield, he may suffer from having a teammate as a finalist.

Can you name the top 5 Heisman Trophy finalists for each year since 2000?

Reggie Bush's 2005 Heisman Trophy was vacated. He is not listed in this quiz. 

SCORE:
0/100
TIME:
15:00
2000 / FSU
Chris Weinke
2000 / OKL
Josh Heupel
2000 / PUR
Drew Brees
2000 / TCU
LaDainian Tomlinson
2000 / NW
Damien Anderson
2001 / NEB
Eric Crouch
2001 / FLA
Rex Grossman
2001 / MIA
Ken Dorsey
2001 / ORE
Joey Harrington
2001 / FRST
David Carr
2002 / USC
Carson Palmer
2002 / IOW
Brad Banks
2002 / PSU
Larry Johnson
2002 / MIA
Willis McGahee
2002 / MIA
Ken Dorsey
2003 / OKL
Jason White
2003 / PIT
Larry Fitzgerald
2003 / OLEM
Eli Manning
2003 / MIC
Chris Perry
2003 / KSU
Darren Sproles
2004 / USC
Matt Leinart
2004 / OKL
Adrian Peterson
2004 / OKL
Jason White
2004 / UTA
Alex Smith
2004 / USC
Reggie Bush
2005 / TEX
Vince Young
2005 / USC
Matt Leinart
2005 / ND
Brady Quinn
2005 / PSU
Michael Robinson
2005 / OSU
A.J. Hawk
2006 / OSU
Troy Smith
2006 / ARK
Darren McFadden
2006 / ND
Brady Quinn
2006 / WVU
Steve Slaton
2006 / MIC
Michael Hart
2007 / FLA
Tim Tebow
2007 / ARK
Darren McFadden
2007 / HAW
Colt Brennan
2007 / MIZ
Chase Daniel
2007 / ORE
Dennis Dixon
2008 / OKL
Sam Bradford
2008 / TEX
Colt McCoy
2008 / FLA
Tim Tebow
2008 / TXTC
Graham Harrell
2008 / TXTC
Michael Crabtree
2009 / ALA
Mark Ingram
2009 / STA
Toby Gerhart
2009 / TEX
Colt McCoy
2009 / NEB
Ndamukong Suh
2009 / FLA
Tim Tebow
2010 / AUB
Cam Newton
2010 / STA
Andrew Luck
2010 / ORE
LaMichael James
2010 / BOIS
Kellen Moore
2010 / OKST
Justin Blackmon
2011 / BAY
Robert Griffin III
2011 / STA
Andrew Luck
2011 / ALA
Trent Richardson
2011 / WIS
Montee Ball
2011 / LSU
Tyrann Mathieu
2012 / TXAM
Johnny Manziel
2012 / ND
Manti Te'o
2012 / KSU
Collin Klein
2012 / USC
Marqise Lee
2012 / OSU
Braxton Miller
2013 / FSU
Jameis Winston
2013 / ALA
A.J. McCarron
2013 / NILL
Jordan Lynch
2013 / BC
Andre Williams
2013 / TXAM
Johnny Manziel
2014 / ORE
Marcus Mariota
2014 / WIS
Melvin Gordon
2014 / ALA
Amari Cooper
2014 / TCU
Trevone Boykin
2014 / OSU
J.T. Barrett
2015 / ALA
Derrick Henry
2015 / STA
Christian McCaffrey
2015 / CLE
Deshaun Watson
2015 / OKL
Baker Mayfield
2015 / NAV
Keenan Reynolds
2016 / LOU
Lamar Jackson
2016 / CLE
Deshaun Watson
2016 / OKL
Baker Mayfield
2016 / OKL
Dede Westbrook
2016 / MIC
Jabrill Peppers
2017 / OKL
Baker Mayfield
2017 / STA
Bryce Love
2017 / LOU
Lamar Jackson
2017 / PSU
Saquon Barkley
2017 / SDST
Rashaad Penny
2018 / OKL
Kyler Murray
2018 / ALA
Tua Tagovailoa
2018 / OSU
Dwayne Haskins
2018 / WVU
Will Grier
2018 / WAST
Gardner Minshew
2019 / LSU
Joe Burrow
2019 / OKL
Jalen Hurts
2019 / OSU
Justin Fields
2019 / OSU
Chase Young
2019 / WIS
Jonathan Taylor

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.