The depth of upper-tier contenders for the 2016 Heisman Trophy made for a highly compelling competition for this award.
An early look at the 2017 Heisman Trophy candidates suggests the battle for that honor could be even more hard-fought, as a trio of elite aspirants could divide the votes as never before. So who makes up this triumvirate of 2017 Heisman Trophy contenders?
Let's take a look at each of their cases.
First and foremost, this list assumes that all of the 2016 Heisman Trophy finalists -- other than Louisville's Lamar Jackson -- will be declaring for the 2017 NFL draft, as they each rate among Mel Kiper's list of top 10 candidates at their respective positions.
Secondly, unless otherwise specified, the metrics referenced below are from games against Power 5 opponents, and the rankings indicate placement among the qualifying players from those clubs.
1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville Cardinals
Touchdowns were the key to Jackson's 2016 Heisman Trophy win, as he became only the third player from a Power 5 school to post 30 or more passing touchdowns and 20 or more rushing touchdowns in a single season.
A significant factor in that scoring largesse was how well Jackson did in games against weak opponents. He posted 16 of his 51 touchdowns against non-major conference foes, a mark that led Power 5 players. Add that total to his seven touchdowns against Marshall, a team that allowed 55 trips to pay dirt this season, and it means that 45 percent of Jackson's scoring plays occurred against subpar opposition.
The good news for Jackson is his 2017 schedule looks just as favorable as this year's slate. The Cardinals have out-of-conference matchups against Purdue (59 touchdowns allowed this year, ranked 115th in the FBS), Kent State (seven games with four or more touchdowns allowed this year) and Murray State (a 4-7 Ohio Valley conference program that allowed 30 or more points in seven games this season). Combine those contests with games against Syracuse (61 touchdowns, ranked tied for 119th) and Virginia (51 touchdowns), and it equals five opponents on the 2017 schedule that allowed 40 or more touchdowns in 2016. It would be difficult to put together a more favorable set of matchups through which to rack up big numbers, so a repeat of his off-the-charts scoring volume is quite possible for Jackson.
Bottom line: If Jackson can tally 20 scores in those five cream-puff games, he will have a great chance of racking up at least 40 total touchdowns, a mark that would give him the inside track to win the Heisman Trophy in 2017.
2. Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama Crimson Tide
Hurts may have put together the most impressive season by a quarterback in Alabama history.
Against Western Kentucky, Hurts became the first true freshman to start at Alabama in 32 years, and he set Crimson Tide freshman and first-start passing yards records in that contest (287). Hurts has since gone on to set a school single-season record in rushing yards by a quarterback (841) while equaling the Alabama single game mark for touchdowns responsible (five, against Mississippi State). The contest against the Bulldogs also saw Hurts become the first Crimson Tide player to post 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in the same game.
Hurts needs only two more touchdowns to set the Alabama single-season record for touchdowns responsible and is only 404 yards away from setting the single-season offense record.
What makes Hurts' achievements that much more impressive is he did it against a schedule that ESPN's Football Power Index has ranked as the toughest in college football this season. Hurts was also arguably the best quarterback in the fourth quarter and overtime, as his 98.4 Total QBR mark in those quarters was tops in the Power 5 and nearly eight points higher than second place (Joshua Dobbs, 90.6).
Hurts should definitely be able to stay on the Heisman Trophy radar screen in 2017, as the Crimson Tide bring back nearly every skill position player, a group that includes two players who rank in the top 10 in career receptions in Alabama history (Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart). Alabama also returns three starters on the offensive line, including two second-team All-SEC players in Ross Piersbacher and Jonah Williams.
Bottom line: If Hurts does well in the College Football Playoff games and maintains this level of play in 2017, he could arguably be the best player on the best team next year, which is a surefire recipe to win the Heisman Trophy.
3. Jake Browning, QB, Washington Huskies
There was a strong case to make for Browning to be one of the Heisman finalists this year. He became one of only three Pac-12 quarterbacks to ever throw for 40 or more touchdowns in a season while setting Washington records for most touchdown passes in a single game (six, against both Oregon and California) and single season (40) and establishing the Huskies' single game record for most total touchdowns (eight, versus Oregon).
Barring a complete collapse, Browning will smash the single-season school record for yards per attempt, as his 9.6-yard mark is nearly 1 yard ahead of second place in that category (Brock Huard and Keith Price, 8.5).
Browning was especially impactful in the red zone, as his 93.9 Total QBR on plays in that area of the field was the highest among Power 5 passers.
His 2017 Heisman case may be hindered by losing wide receiver John Ross to the NFL draft, but the Huskies still return four out of six of their pass-catchers who caught 10 or more passes this year. Combine that with three returning offensive linemen, a group that includes ESPN All-Pac 12 left tackle Trey Adams and a schedule that includes three very favorable out-of-conference matchups (Fresno State, Montana and Rutgers), and it looks like a clear path to a repeat performance for Browning.
Bottom line: If Browning does well in the College Football Playoff and in the favorable early season 2017 matchups, he will at the very least become the first Washington player to be a Heisman finalist since Steve Emtman in 1991.