Two Tigers named as Heisman Candidates in the ACC

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Wed Jul 27 12:51:24 GMT-04:00 2016

Athlon Sports has released its latest article ranking the Top 10 ACC players that are Heisman candidates for the upcoming season and Clemson junior quarterback Deshaun Watson was ranked #1 overall.

"The reigning ACC Player of the Year became the first in FBS history to throw for more than 4,000 yards and rush for more than 1,000 in the same season," Athlon Sports said. "But the stats only tell so much. It was clear going back to 2014 the impact Watson had on the Tigers. When he played during his freshman season, the Tigers moved the ball at will. When he was out, the offense was often stagnant. Also, Watson outplayed Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, another Heisman contender, in last year’s Orange Bowl and had much success against Alabama’s vaunted defense in the national title game. Watson is one of the nation’s top bets to win the Heisman in 2016."

Watson completed 333 of 491 passes for 4,104 yards and 35 touchdowns and also had 207 rushes for 1105 yards and 12 scores this past season. His 5,209 yards of total offense and his 47 total touchdowns were ACC records, and his rushing total was a record for a Clemson quarterback.

His 487 yards of total offense set a record for a National Championship game, and he is the first quarterback in FBS history to have at least 4,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.

Clemson running back Wayne Gallman was also listed as the #8 ACC candidate for the Heisman Award.

"When mentioning Clemson Heisman contenders, only one name comes to mind," Athlon said. "But the hard-running Gallman piled up 1,527 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground as a redshirt sophomore and with opponents focused on Watson, he should have another big year running behind Clemson’s great offensive line."

For his career, he has 444 rushes for 2296 yards and seventeen rushing touchdowns.

The full list of candidates in the ACC for the Heisman included Deshaun Watson, Dalvin Cook, Brad Kaaya, Lamar Jackson, Elijah Hood, James Conner, Wayne Gallman, Justin Thomas, Jordan Whitehead, and Eric Dungey.