Can a RB win the 2019 Heisman?
When taking a look at the early odds to win the 2019 Heisman Trophy, quarterbacks are taking up most of the top of the list. Is there a running back that could break through this year?
According to the latest oddsmakers, both Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence and Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa are the favorites to win the award this year, as each has 5/2 odds. When it comes to running back, the top contenders are Georgia’s D’Andre Swift (16/1), Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor (16/1) and Clemson’s Travis Etienne (18/1).
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Swift will be entering his junior season for Georgia in 2019. He has seen split carries over his first two seasons, but should be more of a feature back this year. As a freshman, Swift rushed for 618 yards on 81 carries with three touchdowns. Last season, he upped his production to 1,049 yards on 163 carries with 10 touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes for 297 yards and three scores.
Taylor led the nation in rushing by over 200 yards in 2018. The Wisconsin back is entering his junior year in 2019 and he has been a beast in his first two seasons. In 2017, he rushed for 1,977 yards on 299 carries with 13 touchdowns. Last year he put up 2,194 yards on 307 carries with 16 scores.
Etienne is also entering his junior season in 2019. The speedy back got his chance to be a feature back in 2018 and didn’t disappoint. As a freshman in 2017, he rushed for 766 yards on 107 carries with 13 touchdowns. Last season, he upped that to 1,658 yards and 24 touchdowns on 204 carries. He also had a pair of receiving touchdowns.
A quarterback has won the Heisman Trophy the last three years. The last running back to grab the award was Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015. Since 2006, just two running backs have claimed the honor.