NCAA Football

Top 10 Heisman Candidates After College Football Week 5

Top 10 Heisman Candidates After College Football Week 5

todd gurley
Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports

As Week 5 gets put in the books, the 2014 Heisman Trophy race continues to take shape. Many of the best athletes in the country have made early claims to college football's highest individual honor and put themselves in great shape to get an invite to NYC this December. As we turn the calendar over to October, here are the top 10 Heisman candidates after Week 5.

10. Brett Hundley, QB UCLA Bruins

brett hundley
Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports

10. Brett Hundley, QB UCLA Bruins

brett hundley
Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports

It looked like his preseason Heisman hopes had been put to bed by a slow start but Brett Hundley revived his candidacy with an explosive performance this week against Arizona State. The UCLA quarterback, complete with a bulky elbow brace, completed 18-of-23 passes for 355 yards while rushing for 72 yards on just eight carries and accounting for five total touchdowns. If he maintains this level of play, his Heisman push will be unstoppable.

9. Jameis Winston, QB Florida State Seminoles

jameis winston
Rob Kinnan - USA TODAY Sports

9. Jameis Winston, QB Florida State Seminoles

jameis winston
Rob Kinnan - USA TODAY Sports

Jameis Winston is a long-shot to defend his Heisman this season after getting benched for the biggest game of the regular season for off-field issues. But he did his best to keep his hopes alive by playing the hero for Florida State against a pesky NC State squad. He finished the day completing 26-of-38 for 365 yards and four touchdowns, but threw two interceptions. Through three games, Winston is well off the pace of his Heisman season in 2013.

8. Taysom Hill, QB BYU Cougars

taysom hill
Joe Camporeale - USA TODAY Sports

8. Taysom Hill, QB BYU Cougars

taysom hill
Joe Camporeale - USA TODAY Sports

There's no denying that Taysom Hill is one of the more talented dual-threat quarterbacks in the country but his Heisman momentum is most assuredly running out. On the year, Hill has accounted for 1,304 yards of total offense with 13 total touchdowns but BYU's "marquee" games are behind them. The only game of note left on the schedule for Hill is against UCF, with the rest of the slate filled with games that won't catch Heisman voters' attention.

7. Dak Prescott, QB Mississippi State Bulldogs

dak prescott
Derick E. Hingle - USA TODAY Sports

7. Dak Prescott, QB Mississippi State Bulldogs

dak prescott
Derick E. Hingle - USA TODAY Sports

Riding high off the momentum of his win at LSU two weeks ago, Dak Prescott has jumpstarted his Heisman campaign in a major way. On the year, Prescott has accounted for 1,342 yards of total offense with 14 total touchdowns and just two interceptions. He's rushed for over 100 yards in three of four games with an impressive yards per carry average of 6.1. Coming out of the bye, Prescott has a great opportunity to take his campaign to the next level.

6. Everett Golson, QB Notre Dame Fighting Irish

everett golson
Rich Barnes - USA TODAY Sports

6. Everett Golson, QB Notre Dame Fighting Irish

everett golson
Rich Barnes - USA TODAY Sports

Everett Golson has been incredibly impressive since returning from his year away from football and continued that trend in Week 5. Against Syracuse, Golson completed 32-of-39 passes for 362 yards and four touchdowns. Golson is still missing that marquee game to put himself in the thick of the conversation (Michigan's woes aren't helping) but his consistency and efficiency puts him right on the edge of being a serious contender.

5. Amari Cooper, WR Alabama Crimson Tide

amari cooper
Marvin Gentry - USA TODAY Sports

5. Amari Cooper, WR Alabama Crimson Tide

amari cooper
Marvin Gentry - USA TODAY Sports

After his 10-catch, three-touchdown dismantling of the Florida secondary in Week 4, there's little doubt that Amari Cooper has emerged as the top pass-catcher in college football. Not even a bye in Week 5 could cool him off. Cooper has dominated through four games, recording 43 receptions for 655 yards and five touchdowns. By comparison, he had 45 receptions for 736 yards and four touchdowns ALL OF LAST SEASON.

4. Ameer Abdullah, RB Nebraska Cornhuskers

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Bruce Thorson - USA TODAY Sports

4. Ameer Abdullah, RB Nebraska Cornhuskers

ameer abdullah
Bruce Thorson - USA TODAY Sports

Ameer Abdullah has been a one-man wrecking crew for the Nebraska offense this season and he took it to Illinois in Week 5. He racked up 208 yards on 22 carries with three touchdowns on the night. It was the third game this season that Abdullah has rushed for over 200 yards as he ranks No. 2 in the nation in yards per game (166.6) en route to 833 yards rushing, eight touchdowns, and a blistering 7.3 yards per carry average.

3. Kenny Hill, QB Texas A&M Aggies

kenny hill
Matthew Emmons - USA TODAY Sports

3. Kenny Hill, QB Texas A&M Aggies

kenny hill
Matthew Emmons - USA TODAY Sports

It wasn't always smooth in Week 5 for Kenny Hill and Texas A&M, but the first-year starter stepped up and led his team to a hard-fought overtime win against Arkansas. On the day, Hill completed just 51.2 percent of his passes but still racked up 386 yards and four touchdowns, showing excellent mental fortitude in the rally. On the year, Hill now has 1,745 yards through the air with 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

2. Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon Ducks

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James Snook - USA TODAY Sports

2. Marcus Mariota, QB Oregon Ducks

marcus mariota
James Snook - USA TODAY Sports

You would be hard-pressed to find a playmaker who is playing as smooth and efficient as Marcus Mariota through four games this season. On the year, Mariota ranks No. 2 in the nation yards per attempt (11.8) and No. 1 in quarterback rating (217.96) while accumulating 1,349 yards of total offense and 13 total touchdowns with zero interceptions. His control and command of the offense has been impressive and will help get him to NYC this December.

1. Todd Gurley, RB Georgia Bulldogs

todd gurley
Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports

1. Todd Gurley, RB Georgia Bulldogs

todd gurley
Dale Zanine - USA TODAY Sports

When his team needed him the most, Todd Gurley stepped up in a major way to secure a big win for Georgia over Tennessee this weekend. On 28 carries, Gurley racked up 208 yards and two touchdowns, though no run was as impressive as his run on 4th-and-3 to ice the game when everyone knew he would be getting the football. His strength, speed, and vision make him a touchdown waiting to happen and have shot him up the early Heisman rankings.

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