The only thing stopping Lamar Jackson from hoisting the Heisman trophy in December is a pile of Houston defensive lineman snapping his ankles.
Even that might not be enough.
The Louisville quarterback is now the unquestioned favorite after losses to three of the four top ranked teams resulted in the Cardinals being at the forefront of CFP inclusion. Jackson is 102 yards short of 3,000 yards passing yards and is responsible for 46 total touchdowns on the year.
Despite odds-makers listing Houston as a heavy underdog, the Cougars have a chance of spoiling Louisville’s College Football Championship bid, and putting a chink in the senior’s Heisman armor.
Although it’s a long-shot, here are five Texas talents that are also in contention for the award, and should get a seat invitation for the ceremony next month:
1. Dede Westbrook: Oklahoma WR, Cameron Yoe HS
A former standout receiver for the Cameron Yoe Yoemen, Westbrook spent some time at Blinn before transferring to Oklahoma. Last year, he was the second option behind Sterling Shepard, but emerged as quarterback Baker Mayfield’s preferred target this season. In seven consecutive wins, Westbrook has 14 touchdown grabs for 1,100 yards; his receiving yards during this span is more than Army, Kent State, Navy, New Mexico and Tulane have had in total all season.
The senior leads the Big 12 in receptions (7.3 per game), receiving yards (157.1 per game), points (13.1 per game) and all-purpose yards (207.7 per game); he currently ranks No. 8 in Oklahoma history in receiving yards with 1,997 in just 23 games.
2. Jalen Hurts: Alabama QB, Channelview HS
The true freshman won’t win the Heisman this season, but he will definitely be in the discussion for the remainder of his college career. A Channelview High School standout, Hurts’ stats and QBR has increased steadily since starting his Junior year at Channelview, and is etching his name in the ‘Bama record books for his opening campaign. The numbers are even more impressive considering the running back machine coach Nick Saban operates to clone stud backs every year. Hurts seems destined to lead the Crimson Tide to consecutive championships; Alabama is currently averaging 41.2 points per game, the best in the SEC.
3. D’Onta Foreman: Texas RB, Texas City HS
Besides UT narrowing the score against opponents, the Longhorns are still dropping games as frequently as last year — a burnt orange reminder of a once consistent franchise in need of desperate change. Foreman continues to be the best player on the roster, equalling Earl Campbell’s record of eleven consecutive games with 100+ rushing yards. The sophomore leads the nation with 179 rushing yards per game, and claims that he will be back at Darrel K. Royale for his third year. However, experts have predicted his draft stock is high, and he will be a likely first round choice. The allure of an NFL paycheck may be more appealing than staying at a school with a new coaching staff come next fall.
Foreman’s accomplishments outside of Texas are overshadowed by San Diego State’s Donnel Pumphrey; the Aztecs running back leads the nation in total rushing and is fourth in all-time rushing — eye-popping statistics that will likely booty Foreman’s name from the invite list.
4. Baker Mayfield: Oklahoma QB, Lake Travis HS
After a rough start, the Sooners are in the driver seat to obtain the Big 12 title, and are within shouting distance of a consecutive CFP playoff berth. Former Lake Travis Cavaliers quarterback Baker Mayfield continues to write his own Oklahoma legacy, lighting up Baylor’s second-ranked pass defense with 300 yards, two touchdowns, and an 80% completion rating for a 21-point victory. The redshirt junior currently ranks second nationally in completion percentage, but his accomplishments may be overshadowed by how awful the conference defenses are this year. Mayfield’s peak was a Westworld-esque shootout against Patrick Mahomes — a matchup more suitable for a video game in which both teams accounted for 854 yards of total offense.
5. JT Barrett: Ohio State QB, S.H. Rider HS
Whole lot of quarterbacks on this list. The position is evolving with the game and boasts some of the most athletic players the NCAA has ever seen.
Whether or not J.T. Barrett receives a chair invitation for the Heisman ceremony depends solely on the result of Michigan on Nov. 26. Currently, the former S.H. Rider High School shot-caller leads an offense ranked second in points per game in the FBS. The redshirt junior is second all-time in the Big-10 with 98 total career touchdowns, trailing only Drew Brees (106 total) — a Westlake Chaps alumni.
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