Heisman Race 2015: Leonard Fournette Hits Back, Corey Coleman Has a Standing Reservation for Six

Eyes are on college football’s biggest individual prize. Who will hoist it? Here are the five top candidates.

Leonard Fournette

Last week I suggested the LSU running back’s lead was shrinking. An 180-yard, two-touchdown performance against a Florida Gators defense yielding less than 100 yards on the ground sure stymies that narrative. In addition to hard numbers, Fournette provided another display of beastly strength in the form of a left-handed punch to a defender brave/foolish enough to attempt an open-field tackle. A stellar performance in a marquee prime-time game will go a long way in making sure the public doesn’t forget the clubhouse leader.

Trevone Boykin

He did what a quarterback leading a high-powered offense should do against Iowa State. His 436-yard aerial assault was only marred by five incompletions on 32 attempts. An additional 74 yards on the ground helped him notch his third 500-plus total yardage game of the year. These eye-popping stats would be enough for him to warrant consideration if he were on a mediocre team. Playing for a national title contender makes him — for now — the only player with a shot to catch a healthy Fournette.

Ezekiel Elliott

Here’s the thing about Elliott. He went for over 100 yards on the ground for the 12th straight game. He is the primary offensive weapon for the nation’s top team. And yet … it seems like he’s being forgotten. Is the media at large bored with his consistent greatness? It’s possible — and it hardly seems fair. All eyes will be trained on Columbus for the Michigan State game Nov. 21. A dominating display in that one could vault him into contention if voters — for whatever reason — get bored with the show down in Baton Rouge.

Corey Coleman

A tidbit from ESPN that will blow your mind: In his last 16 games, the Baylor wide receiver has 105 catches, 1,996 yards and 27 touchdowns. That’s more receiving scores than 110 FBS teams. This year, 16 of his 41 catches have been for touchdowns. The biggest big-play target in Baylor’s high-octane offense, Coleman is a matchup nightmare. If he continues his torrid pace and visits the end zone 30-plus times, it’d be shame not see him in New York.

Dalvin Cook

Welcome to the party, Mr. Cook. All you had to do to make me notice you is average 8.7 yards per carry. He’s 32 yards off Royce Freeman’s pace for 2nd in the nation in rushing despite 40 fewer carries. In Saturday’s win over Louisville, the Seminoles back racked up 223 total yards despite dealing with a hamstring injury. No one in college football has been more explosive than Cook, who can turn any short run or catch into a touchdown in a flash.

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