The NCAA football season is heading into Week 3 and there has already been plenty of movement in the rankings and excitement. This week, with a number of top 25 matchups, we can expect things to reach new heights.
One of the most entertaining things to do throughout each college football season is keep an eye on which players are prime candidates for the Heisman Trophy award. It is the most coveted honor in all of college football and joining the great list of players that have won it in the past is an extreme honor.
There are a number of players in the running this year for the award and it is very tough to rank them right now.
It will be interesting to see what the rankings look like in a few weeks, but there are five players in particular that are currently in the lead for the award. Who are the five players currently leading in the rankings?
5. Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State Buckeyes
This season, Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t been quite as dominant as many were expecting him to be following his huge breakout season last year. He has compiled 223 yards and four touchdowns on 38 carries, but it just isn’t quite the superstar numbers that he was hyped up to expect to have to start the season.
That being said, he still belongs in the rankings and likely will break out with big performances over the next few weeks as Ohio State gets into conference play.
4. Derrick Henry, Alabama Crimson Tide
At 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, there aren’t many running backs quite as physically intimidating as Alabama’s Derrick Henry. He has picked up 243 yards and six touchdowns on just 31 carries this season, which rounds out to a ridiculous 10.6 yards per carry.
Now that he is hitting SEC play that will likely cool down a bit, but he still very much deserves to be at this spot in the Heisman rankings with his early season play.
3. Cody Kessler, USC Trojans
USC quarterback Cody Kessler has been impressive early on this season for the Trojans. He has completed 78.9 percent of his passes for 650 yards, seven touchdowns, no interceptions and a sizzling 215.3 passer rating.
That is as near perfect as any player in college football and he has put USC football back on the map in a big way and will likely be a Heisman contender for the remainder of the season.
2. Nick Chubb, Georgia Bulldogs
Nick Chubb is without question one of the best players in college football, although his numbers may not be as high as they could be. Mark Richt isn’t running his star running back too hard to start the season, as he wants him to be fresh for the tough SEC schedule that Georgia will have to play.
Despite not getting as much action as he would likely prefer, Chubb has carried the football 35 times for 309 yards and two touchdowns on the young season.
1. Dalvin Cook, Florida State Seminoles
After his huge performance this past week against South Florida, Florida State running back Dalvin Cook immediately vaulted to number one in these rankings. He has recorded 49 carries for 422 yards and five touchdowns in two games this year, which gives him 8.6 yards per carry.
There is a good chance he won’t stay in the top spot for too terribly long, but he certainly has the talent to stick around and contend for the award.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
