2 SEC QBs land on Sports Illustrated’s ‘Darkhorse Heisman’ list
By SDS Staff
Published:
Anymore, the Heisman Trophy is not much more than a popularity contest awarded to the best player on the best team.
The SEC has several Heisman favorites for 2018. Alabama QBs Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa are certainly favorites, as is Auburn QB Jarrett Stidham and Georgia QB Jake Fromm.
Sports Illustrated identified two intriguing candidates who are listed on current odds: Mississippi State QB Nick Fitzgerald and Missouri QB Drew Lock.
Knowing what we know about the Heisman winner, the team’s performance is nearly as important as the player’s performance. Therefore, MSU and Mizzou will have to be in contention for the SEC Championship in order for either player to have a serious shot.
Mississippi State has one of the best and most experienced rosters returning in the SEC. Yes, the Bulldogs aren’t as talented as Alabama, but that may be the only team in the division. The experience factor could pay huge dividends, especially having a veteran QB like Fitzgerald. MSU’s offense will go as Fitzgerald goes, but he’ll have to be special to win the SEC West. Big rushing and passing numbers will still be a tough sell to even become a Heisman finalist if the Bulldogs aren’t in contention as a team.
Lock could put together some serious offensive numbers in 2018. We don’t know everything about Derek Dooley’s offense yet and how it will develop, but we do know Lock can spin it. However, Mizzou will need to replace J’Mon Moore’s 1,000 yards and 10 TDs, and the system should allow for that to happen. The Lock hype entering 2018 will be off the charts, and he could prove to be a first-round pick in 2019.
One player who isn’t listed by SI or high on the odds is Alabama RB Damien Harris. Harris should certainly get some darkhorse Heisman love ahead of his senior season.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
