For the first time in three years, the reigning Heisman trophy winner is not back to defend his crown, creating a very wide open race. There are seven or eight legitimate preseason favorites to win the award, but one of them stands out from the rest.
TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin is our pick to win the Heisman at the end of the year - here's why:
4) Returning momentum
Boykin is the leading returning vote-getter from last year's finalists, making him the favorite to win this year. Voters around the country know what he can do, and if he puts up gaudy numbers again in 2015, it'll be hard to vote for anyone else. This trophy is Boykin's to lose.
3) Running and passing ability
Those gaudy numbers? 3,901 passing yards and 33 touchdowns to go along with 707 rushing yards and eight more touchdowns. He only got better as the year went on in 2014, setting the stage for a dominant 2015. Boykin showed improved accuracy last season (61.2 percent completion percentage) to go along with his arm strength and unmatched athleticism - after all, he was playing wide receiver just two years ago!
2) Explosive offensive system
TCU runs an up-tempo spread offensive system designed to run as many plays as possible while putting their elite athletes in space. Boykin mastered that system last year while the Horned Frogs ran over 80 plays per game, creating more opportunities for them to put point on the board. More snaps means more chances for Boykin to make highlight reel plays.
1) Projected team success
Boykin carried TCU from a preseason afterthought to a conference champion in 2014, but a loss to Baylor ultimately kep them from reaching the College Football Playoff. They then demolished a good Ole Miss team in the Peach Bowl, putting up 42 points in three quarters on the No. 1 defense in the country.
10 offensive starters return for the Horned Frogs, meaning they shouldn't be slowing down at all this year. They are ranked No. 2 in the country in the preseason, and are the favorite to win the Big 12. Doing so, while clinching a College Football Playoff berth, should guarantee Boykin a ton of Heisman votes.
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