2017 Heisman Trophy: 5 Candidates Not Named Lamar Jackson

With Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson in a class of his own so far for the Heisman, here are some other college football players that are good candidates for the Heisman Trophy.

We’re just about a month into the College Football season and we’re off to an interesting Heisman race.

The Louisville Cardinals and quarterback Lamar Jackson have taken the landscape by storm, handing the Seminoles their worst loss in school history 63-20 this week.

The performance of Jackson has been hard to ignore. He has 18 touchdowns this season, 8 passing and 10 rushing. Jackson is the first FBS player to record 100+ rushing and 100+ passing yards in five straight games since 2012.

However, Jackson isn’t the only player putting up stellar numbers for his respective squad. In addition, other players out there are turning the heads of media and coaches alike.

Here are the top 5 Heisman candidates without the name Lamar Jackson.

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws the ball over Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Raequan Williams (99) during the second half a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

5. QB DeShone Kizer, Notre Dame

Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer has been the lone bright spot for the Fighting Irish this season. He starts the list as the fifth ranked Heisman candidate.

Despite his teams two losses, Kizer has led the Notre Dame offense to comebacks each time.

He was 20 for 37 with 344 passing yards and 2 passing touchdowns in the air while rushing for two touchdowns in a 36-28 loss to Michigan State this past week.The Fighting Irish trailed 36-14 entering the fourth quarter.

Notre Dame named Kizer the starting quarterback after Week 1. He was responsible for six touchdowns in Notre Dame’s season opening 50-47 double overtime loss against Texas.The team trailed the Longhorns 31-21 entering the fourth quarter.

Despite splitting time with quarterback Malik Zaire throughout the game, Kizer threw for 215 passing yards and five passing touchdowns while also rushing for another score.

The junior quarterback has only been sacked twice and thrown one interception on the season. He has passed for nine touchdowns and rushed for two touchdowns while passing for 715 yards.

If the Fighting Irish win out the rest of their schedule, the Heisman trophy could be Deshone Kizers’ to win.

Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

4. S Jabrill Peppers, Michigan

Safety Jabrill Peppers has the Michigan Wolverines eyeing more than just a Big Ten title this season. Peppers is the fourth ranked Heisman candidate not named Lamar Jackson.

Peppers dialed in his inner Charles Woodson this week with a huge performance. He recorded nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, and a punt return touchdown against Colorado. Peppers recorded 208 all purpose yards in the Wolverines 45-28 win over the Buffaloes. He did it all for Michigan in their victory.

There were big hits, there was a sack and there was a highlight reel punt return for a touchdown. A few more of these and Peppers could join Charles Woodson as the next Heisman Trophy winner out of Michigan.

Peppers has 28 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble for the Wolverines so far this season. He has also shown his ability as a punt return specialist. His 21.6 yards per punt return are first in the Big Ten and third in the nation.

The Wolverines still have the Badgers, Spartans, Hawkeyes, and Buckeyes on the schedule. If they win out, we could be giving Jabrill Peppers the Heisman Trophy at the end of the year.

3. RB Donnell Pumphrey, San Diego State

Sep 17, 2016; DeKalb, IL, USA; San Diego State Aztecs running back Donnel Pumphrey (19) rushes for a touchdown during the second half against Northern Illinois Huskies at Huskie Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

If you don’t know who San Diego State running back Donnell Pumphrey is yet, you should. He is the third best Heisman candidate without the name Lamar Jackson.

This past week, Pumphrey ran for 220 yards and three touchdowns in the Aztecs 42-28 win over the Northern Illinois Huskies. He put the game out of reach with a 79-yard rushing touchdown with 7:40 left in the game. Pumphrey averaged 9.6 yards per carry in the game.

The senior running back has rushed for over 200 rushing yards in two straight games so far this season. Last week, he surpassed Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk’s career rushing record of 4,589 rushing yards.

This week, Pumphrey broke Faulk’s career records in all-purpose yards (5,811) and rushing touchdowns (52). In the Aztecs’ Week 2 upset victory over the California Bears, Pumphrey ran for 281 yards and three touchdowns. He had 9.7 yards per carry against the Bears.

Pumphrey is the leading rusher in the nation with 599 rushing yards. He has seven rushing touchdowns on 8.2 rushing yards per carry.

If the Aztecs find themselves on the winning end of success in the Mountain West Conference, they can thank running back Donnell Pumphrey, an electric Heisman candidate.

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2. RB Christian McCaffrey, Stanford

Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey finished second in Heisman voting last season, but this season’s Heisman competition is a bit tougher. McCaffrey enters as the second ranked Heisman candidate without the name Lamar Jackson.

The senior running back has been a leader for the Cardinal offense so far. He led the way in Week 3 in a 27-10 victory over USC.

He carried the ball 30 times for 165 rushing yards and had 73 receiving yards. McCaffrey scored on a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown.

McCaffrey has 291 rushing yards, 113 receiving yards, three rushing touchdowns, and a receiving touchdown this season.

Last season, McCaffrey recorded 2,664 yards from scrimmage for the Stanford Cardinal. He led the nation. He recorded 15 total touchdowns, 8 rushing and 7 receiving.

The Cardinal and McCaffrey still face a daunting schedule to finish out 2016. They travel to UCLA, Washington, Notre Dame, Oregon, and California.

Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

1. QB J.T. Barrett, Ohio State

Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett is the the number 1 Heisman candidate without the name Lamar Jackson.Barrett has silenced the critics thus far this season with his stellar play, showing his development as a passer.

Against the Oklahoma Sooners, the junior quarterback completed 70 percent of his passes. Barrett was 14 of 20 for 152 yards and four passing touchdowns.

His touchdown pass to wide receiver Noah Brown is one that will be talked about for the rest of the season.

Barrett has been sacked just once this season while throwing only one interception. He has 650 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, while completing 66 percent of his passes.

In Week 1’s 77-10 victory over Bowling Green, Barrett broke the Buckeyes record for most touchdowns by a player. He threw six passing touchdowns and rushed for another touchdown while going 21-31 through the air with 349 passing yards.

Barrett has the Buckeyes on track so far this season.

Coming up: Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Michigan to close out the schedule. If the Buckeyes finish on top, Barrett is the leading Heisman candidate.