Four weeks ago, Joshua Dobbs was competing to replace injured starting quarterback Justin Worley in Tennessee’s game against Alabama. 11 touchdowns later, the sophomore has sparked the Vols offense to over 500 total yards and a 2-0 record as a starter.

Dobbs is Tennessee’s quarterback of the future, which is starting to look bright. The sophomore was recruited as a pro-style passer, but has the mobility to succeed in the Vols read option-heavy offense. From a mental standpoint, Dobbs is an Aerospace Engineering major who graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA, exceeding the expectations of a “smart quarterback.”

Tennessee is one win shy of securing bowl eligibility. With three potential games remanning, Dobbs can further push his hype with a strong end to the season. As a junior, the dual-threat quarterback should receive some preseason accolades, but is far from a Heisman frontrunner.

Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott entered the 2014 season with several preseason accolades. Like Dobbs, Prescott saw limited action as a freshman, but made rapid progress as a redshirt sophomore in 2013. However, his Heisman campaign comes as a surprise to most.

The redshirt junior has 2,785 total yards and 27 touchdowns. Prescott led the Bulldogs, who were unranked in preseason, to a No. 1 ranking. Mississippi State is in contention for the College Football Playoff series following several years of mediocrity.

The comparison is premature, given Dobbs’ lack of starts prior to Week 9. However, the similarities that should be noted. Dobbs has the potential to be a star in college football next season. Tennessee is a rising program that has gained experienced playing over 20 true freshmen.

If Dobbs ends the season as a Heisman candidate, he will have taken a similar path as Prescott. Sure, there would be some preseason hype, but not enough to earn serious consideration. Dobbs will need to lead Tennessee back to legitimacy and eclipse his career numbers in order to be a surprise Heisman candidate.