One of the closest and most interesting Heisman Trophy races culminated Saturday in New York, as Oklahoma quarterback Kyler Murray took home college football's top individual honor. We can only hope the 2019 campaign has similar suspense.
Next season's Heisman candidate pool is crowded and unique. Tua Tagovailoa, who emerged as the front-runner for the 2018 award early this fall, is back at Alabama. Jonathan Taylor, among the 2018 preseason favorites, also returns after an underappreciated performance for an underachieving Wisconsin team. While the three 2018 finalists -- Tagovailoa, Murray and Ohio State's Dwayne Haskins -- all dazzled as first-year starting quarterbacks, a batch of second-year starters will contend next fall. The Big Ten hasn't produced a Heisman winner since Ohio State's Troy Smith in 2006 but returns at least three candidates for 2019.
We don't know which underclassmen will enter the NFL draft, but it's unlikely Haskins returns to Ohio State or defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, an Outland Trophy finalist, returns to Alabama. I included some on-the-fence NFL draft entrants here, with the understanding that they could go pro.
Let's look ahead at the top contenders for the 85th Heisman Trophy.
THE FAVORITE
Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa
By now, you should know the name. The full name. Tagovailoa announced himself against Georgia in January's College Football Playoff national championship game, then became a star this season by leading a different-looking, record-setting Crimson Tide offense. Entering the playoff, Tagovailoa has 3,353 passing yards with 37 touchdowns, only four interceptions and a 67.7 percent completion ratio with 60 passes of 20 yards or longer. He ranks second behind Murray in passing efficiency (202.3 rating).
The left-hander showed elite-level accuracy, pocket presence and field vision, especially on run-pass options. Alabama's previously limited passing game blew up with Tagovailoa, who spread the ball to multiple receivers and relentlessly attacked downfield. As an SEC defensive coordinator told me, Tagovailoa's pre-snap reads make him nearly unstoppable in the RPO game.
"You have to change the looks," the coach said. "You can't just line up and show him what you're going to play."
If Tagovailoa makes just marginal improvement from this season -- wideouts Jerry Jeudy and Jaylen Waddle will once again be at his disposal -- opponents won't stand a chance. Alabama loses offensive coordinator Mike Locksley to Maryland, but quarterbacks coach Dan Enos should be ready to step in.
OTHER TOP CONTENDERS
Wisconsin RB Jonathan Taylor
Heisman contenders almost always have to be on contending teams. For running backs, in particular, there's zero wiggle room. Taylor followed a record-setting freshman season at Wisconsin with more production as a sophomore. He enters the bowl season as the national rushing leader with 1,989 yards, an average of 165.8 per game, with 16 rushing touchdowns. Taylor eclipsed 100 rushing yards in 11 of 12 games with four 200-yard performances and a 321-yard explosion on Nov. 17 against Purdue.
Wisconsin's stunning 7-5 season took Taylor out of the Heisman race, but if the Badgers get back on track in 2019, their star running back should get serious Heisman consideration. Taylor's two-year totals are staggering: 3,966 yards on 579 carries.
"Taylor's production speaks for itself," a Big Ten coach said. "What makes him unique for a big back is his ability to hit the home run. His track speed really shows up when he gets a little bit of an opening. He's an outstanding player, and they're going to showcase his skills."
Clemson RB Travis Etienne
There are a lot of reasons why Clemson's midseason quarterback transition from senior Kelly Bryant to true freshman Trevor Lawrence went so smoothly. Etienne might have been the biggest. Lawrence entered a backfield with one of the nation's most explosive players. Etienne finished the regular season fifth nationally in yards per carry (8.31) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (21). He never fumbled on 176 carries and had just 12 runs of zero or negative yards.
The 2018 ACC Player of the Year eclipsed 150 rushing yards six times despite logging more than 16 carries in just two of those contests. Etienne recorded just the second 1,400-yard rushing season in team history. As Lawrence matures into an even bigger threat, Etienne is poised for a huge junior season that could make him Clemson's first Heisman Trophy winner. The lone drawback: Lawrence will have Heisman attention, too, and could emerge as the team's primary candidate.
Oklahoma's starting quarterback
Maybe it's a stretch to list someone whose identity is not yet known, but Oklahoma has produced the past two Heisman Trophy winners in Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Coach Lincoln Riley clearly has the magic touch. The Sooners could start Austin Kendall, who has patiently waited his turn behind Mayfield and Murray. Kendall has solid numbers (28-of-39, 265 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions) in limited work the past two seasons. Oklahoma also could turn to Spencer Rattler, ESPN's top-rated dual-threat quarterback and No. 17 overall player in the 2019 recruiting class. Rattler says his personality is a mix of both Mayfield and Murray, and if his play mirrors his predecessors, he could be in the mix for the Heisman early on. The wild card here, other than inexperience, is Riley, as NFL head-coaching opportunities likely will await him in 2019.
Purdue WR Rondale Moore
The first Thursday of the 2018 season provided a rare national spotlight for Purdue, and Moore did a star turn in his first collegiate game. He had a 76-yard touchdown run and a 32-yard touchdown reception against Northwestern, the first of many Boilermakers opponents that couldn't guard No. 4. Moore finished with 313 all-purpose yards, including 302 in the first half, breaking Otis Armstrong's single-game team record.
It started a regular season that would end with Moore winning the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's top all-purpose player. Moore led the nation with 103 receptions, led all Power 5 receivers in yards after catch with 889 and led the Big Ten in receiving yards (1,164), receiving touchdowns (12) and kickoff return yards (599). Moore finished the regular season ranked fourth nationally in all-purpose yards (2,048). He loses his quarterback, David Blough, but retains head coach Jeff Brohm, whose offense is perfectly set up for Moore to thrive.
"What a freak," a Big Ten coach said. "I don't remember seeing someone with the ability that he has to start and stop, and then accelerate to top speed as fast as he can. They used him incredibly well and creatively in different ways to get him the ball. Where he's not talked about enough is his return game. It's just ridiculous."
Oregon QB Justin Herbert
Yes, he could turn pro and become the first quarterback selected in the 2019 NFL draft. He's that good. But I'm hearing there's a better-than-decent chance Herbert returns for one more year at Oregon. He's a Eugene native who wants to get the Ducks back in the mix for a championship before moving on to the NFL. Without many obvious stars in the Pac-12, Herbert would be the biggest if he returns to Oregon next fall.
He finished the regular season with 2,985 pass yards, 28 touchdowns, eight interceptions and eight games of at least 250 pass yards. Herbert didn't have the best supporting cast, but he should improve in 2019 as Oregon signs a decorated recruiting class and continues to develop a talented line under coach Mario Cristobal.
"I go back to playing North Carolina a couple years ago with Mitch Trubisky; he might not be a finished product yet but guys like that have all the tools," Stanford defensive coordinator Lance Anderson told me this season. "A big guy who can really run, really move, got a huge arm to make all the throws. He's got all the things you've looked for."
Memphis RB Darrell Henderson
Henderson could head to the NFL, and few would blame him after an incredible junior season that featured 1,909 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns on 212 carries. But there's enough uncertainty about his future to include him as a 2019 Heisman candidate. Like any Group of 5 player, Henderson would need to match or exceed this year's production to have a genuine shot at the Heisman.
The 5-foot-9, 200-pound Mississippian actually had the same yards-per-carry average (8.9) in 2017 but logged only 130 carries. He had eight performances of 166 yards or more and eclipsed 200 yards three times (with another 199-yard showing), including 210 yards and three touchdowns against UCF in the AAC title game. Henderson had multiple touchdown runs in eight games, including four of the final five, and averaged more than seven yards per carry in all but three games. He led the nation in runs of 10 yards or longer with 55 and finished third in yards per carry.
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence
The buzz built in the offseason and accelerated after Clemson gave Lawrence the starting nod following a strong performance at Georgia Tech, prompting Bryant to transfer. From there, Lawrence showed snippets of the dominant player he soon will become, completing 20 of 25 passes against Wake Forest, tossing four touchdowns against Florida State and lighting up South Carolina for 393 pass yards. Most impressive is that Lawrence threw only four interceptions, never more than one per game, in 326 pass attempts. Clemson coaches praised his maturity, noting smart choices to throw the ball away or to allow only his receiver to make a play on the ball.
A strong playoff performance will enhance Lawrence's Heisman candidacy for 2019, especially if he matches up with Tagovailoa or Murray in the championship game. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Tuesday that Lawrence's ability to become a more mobile quarterback will make him even tougher to defend. Lawrence had his three best rushing totals of the season in the past three games.
"That's the biggest change that has come with him in these last few games," Swinney said, "just his confidence and his presence with his legs."
KEEP AN EYE ON ...
Houston QB D'Eriq King
They should call him Electric King. While a torn meniscus ended his season prematurely in mid-November, he lost his national lead in touchdowns responsible for (50) only this past week to both Murray and Haskins (each with 51). At the time of his injury, King led the nation in touchdown passes (36), and he still ranks second among quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns (14) entering the bowl season.
King should again flourish once he returns from his injury. Houston offensive coordinator Kendal Briles is set to return (but has had recent interest from Tennessee and Florida State), and top receivers Marquez Stevenson and Keith Corbin also are expected back.
Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez
The Husker hype is building for a division title and possibly more in 2018, which may be a bit premature after a 4-8 record in coach Scott Frost's debut season. What seems more reasonable is Martinez contending for national honors after an exceptional freshman season running Frost's offense. Martinez completed 64.6 percent of his passes for 2,617 yards and 17 touchdowns while adding 629 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in only 10 games.
"He's so electric, he's able to do everything," a Big Ten coach said. "For a freshman to be able to run that offense the way that he did was so impressive. He can make big, explosive plays with his legs, he sees the field well and understands the offense really well for a young player. It was really impressive to watch him; [he] just got better each week."
Notre Dame QB Ian Book
Book already has blown away expectations since replacing Brandon Wimbush as Notre Dame's starter in late September. In just eight games, he threw 19 touchdown passes against only six interceptions and completed 70.4 percent of his passes, which ranks fifth in the FBS. He will need to go from efficient to eye-popping, but his national profile as the Notre Dame quarterback should help.
Georgia QB Jake Fromm
Like Book, Fromm plays with elite-level efficiency and poise, almost never hurting his team and helping the offense score points at a high rate. He's tied for third nationally in pass efficiency (175.8), trailing only Murray and Tagovailoa, and built upon what he established last season (ninth nationally with a 160.9 rating). Fromm likely will need more overall production and some Heisman moments to truly contend in 2019, but he shouldn't be written off.
"Fromm's really good," an SEC defensive coordinator said. "He's extremely efficient and doesn't turn the ball over. On the biggest stage, he gives his team the chance to win."
Stanford QB K.J. Costello
Those seeking another Pac-12 Heisman contender besides Herbert should look to The Farm and Costello, who quietly had a strong sophomore season for suddenly pass-happy Stanford. He led the Pac-12 in passing efficiency (157.9) and completions of 20 yards or longer (55). Costello completed at least 62 percent of his attempts in Stanford's last seven games and had 323 pass yards or more in four of the final five contests.
"He gives his [receivers] the chances to make plays," USC coach Clay Helton said. "That's what really has changed over the last year, since Coach Shaw introduced K.J. to the offense."
Oklahoma State WR Tylan Wallace
It's hard for wide receivers to gain serious Heisman consideration, but Wallace has an extremely high ceiling after taking a gigantic leap (literally and figuratively) as a sophomore. He went from seven receptions as a freshman in 2017 to 79 for 1,408 yards and 11 touchdowns this fall. Wallace had seven 100-yard receiving performances and twice had 220 or more yards.
The 6-foot, 185-pound speed threat was named a Biletnikoff Award finalist for his efforts. Wallace can be unguardable at times, ranking second nationally in receiving yards before first contact (1,289). He will be back for his third year in Stillwater, although he'll be working with a new starting quarterback.
Texas QB Sam Ehlinger
Coach Tom Herman said Texas was a bit ahead of schedule this season, reaching the Big 12 title game in Year 2 of the Herman era. The same may hold true for Ehlinger, who, if he builds upon a strong sophomore season, should enter the Heisman conversation in 2019. Ehlinger passed for 3,123 yards with 25 touchdowns and only five interceptions while playing much of the season less than 100 percent. He ranked 12th nationally in completions of 20 yards or longer (53). Ehlinger must take fewer sacks (24), but he could be extremely productive in 2019, especially if his top wide receivers (Lil'Jordan Humphrey, Collin Johnson, Devin Duvernay) stick around for one more year.
"Sam is a talented guy, if they can keep him healthy," a Big 12 coach said. "That dude runs the ball so damn much that it might be hard."