Devontae Booker a Darkhorse for 2015 Heisman Trophy at Utah

By Tyler Brett
devontae booker
Russell Isabella – USA TODAY Sports

When compiling a list of potential Heisman Trophy candidates, you would be forgiven if you skipped over Salt Lake City and the Utah Utes. It’s been quite a while since the Utes have had a player in the national spotlight, but that all could change in 2015 with the emergence of running back Devontae Booker.

Booker came to Utah as a junior college transfer and made an immediate impact in his first season on campus. He ended up No. 2 in the Pac-12, rushing for 1,512 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns on the ground while flashing some ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, adding 42 receptions for 311 yards and two more touchdowns. If anyone had know to pay attention to him before last season started, he might have garnered a bit more national attention.

But that shouldn’t be a problem in 2015. Booker made his presence known last season and the Utes are building their offense around his talents. Head coach Kyle Whittingham loves the violent running style that Booker uses to punish defenders and break through tackles in addition to the soft touch he displays out of the backfield in the passing game. This season, Whittingham has made no secret about what the Utes are going to do and it involves getting plenty of touches to Devontae Booker.

With the number of high-profile running backs that graduated or left for the NFL following last season, there’s an opportunity for some fresh faces to take center stage. Booker has an ideal opportunity to make a name for himself in a nationally televised game against the Michigan Wolverines to kick off the season, which could set the tone for his Heisman hopes and the Pac-12 title aspirations of the program.

If Booker can carry the Utes into the thick of the Pac-12 title hunt in what should be a hyper-competitive South Division this season, it will be impossible to deny him some accolades. While there are an abundance of exciting young running backs around the country who could take that next step in 2015, few will have the trust of their team quite like Booker does at Utah.

Can he reward that trust with a conference title for the team and an invite to New York City for himself?

You can follow Tyler Brett on Twitter @ATylerBrett, on Facebook and on Google.

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