The 2019 Heisman Trophy ended up being a runaway for LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. In one of the most surprising seasons, Burrow could be a Heisman Trophy-winning National Champion and the number one pick in the NFL draft. However, as we fill our time before the College Football Playoff Championship Game, we take a way too early look ahead. Today, we look at the top 10 Heisman contenders for 2020.
Top 10 Heisman Contenders for 2020
10. Spencer Rattler 
What’s a Heisman list without a Sooner? Rattler will most certainly be the starter for Oklahoma in 2020. And, with that, he will be the third different starting quarterback under Lincoln Riley. Rattler is a former five-star recruit and the top-ranked quarterback in the 2019 class. He has all the measurables from arm strength to accuracy that Sooner fans are accustomed to. Look for Rattler to be a mainstay in the Heisman conversation next season.
9. Kyle Trask 
Trask performed admirably in reserve of Feleipe Franks in 2019. So much so that Franks has elected to transfer. That means this team will be all Trasks. Trask threw for 25 touchdowns with only seven in 11 games this season. With the talent that Dan Mullen has brought to the Swamp, a 40 touchdown season is a definite possibility for Trask.
8. Ian Book 
There’s been some speculation as to whether Book could be headed for the transfer portal. However, as of now, Book is still a golden domer. No matter if Book is part of the Fighting Irish or in another uniform, he is a definite Heisman contender. For his career, Book has thrown for 57 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. If he stays with Notre Dame, they are likely to be a top 10 preseason team which will put Book directly in the discussion.
7. Ja’Marr Chase 
The 2019 Biletnikoff winner stormed onto the scene much like Burrow. Chase had 75 catches for 1,559 yards and 18 touchdowns on the season. But, he’ll have a new quarterback to throw him the ball in 2020. If Myles Brennan can come close to the production of Burrow then Chase could have as good or perhaps a better year in a Tiger uniform.
6. Kedon Slovis 
Even with being injured some in the 2019 season, Slovis had an outstanding freshman season at Southern Cal. However, he will still have to battle JT Daniels for the starting job who elected to remain a Trojan. Slovis threw 30 touchdown passes against only nine interceptions this season. He’ll have the benefit of one of the best receiving corps in the country and the Trojans could be an offensive machine.
5. Bo Nix 
Nix will be a trendy Heisman top-five selection next season and it’s not hard to see why. His stats don’t necessarily jump off the page at you with only 16 passing touchdowns and a 58% completion percentage. But, he has everything you want in a young quarterback. He’s tough, fearless, and a winner. And, one could expect him to make a huge leap in his sophomore campaign under Gus Malzahn and new offensive coordinator Chad Morris.
4. Sam Ehlinger 
After proclaiming that the Texas program was back, a year later it is Ehlinger who is back for his senior season in Austin. Ehlinger has tough shoes to fill in Longhorn lineage behind Vince Young and Colt McCoy. Ehlinger enjoyed his best season in Austin by accounting for 39 total touchdowns and over 4,200 yards from scrimmage. He should be the clear Big 12 Player of the Year favorite in 2020.
3. Mac Jones 
Much like Oklahoma, you can just insert a name with the Alabama uniform and have a Heisman contender. Even though he’ll be battling Taulia Tagovailoa and true freshman phenom Bryce Young for the job, Jones is a fit here. In starting just four games, Jones threw for over 1,500 yards with 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He’ll have every opportunity to put up 40+ touchdowns and a 4,000-yard season in 2020.
2. Trevor Lawrence 
The book on the 2019 season has not closed yet for Lawrence, but he has a chance to be one of the most successful quarterbacks in College Football history. He’s currently 27-0 as a starter and has thrown 66 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions. In fact, he hasn’t committed a turnover since October 19th. If Lawrence is able to beat LSU next week, he could very well be a 43 game-winner by the time the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner is announced.
1. Justin Fields 
Even with the two interceptions and narrow loss to Clemson in the College Football Playoffs, Fields just completed one of the most efficient seasons in a one-game season. His 41 touchdown passes and only three interceptions were good for third in this years Heisman Trophy voting. It’s hard to imagine, but Fields should be even better in his second season under Ryan Day in Columbus. With Ohio State being one of the favorites to get back to the playoffs and win a national championship, Fields will be at the forefront of that.
