Trevone Boykin is one of several players that burst onto the college football scene with their stellar play in 2014.

The versatile quarterback springboarded TCU into the national spotlight as a possible College Football Playoff contender and while the Horned Frogs fell just short of the prize, Boykin showcased a potential that makes him one of my Heisman Trophy candidates in 2015.

1. Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU

Buzz: Since 2000, a quarterback has won the award 13 out of 14 seasons and Boykin’s style of play fits well into the recent trend of winners. A strong-armed thrower whose mobility provides him with an added dimension, Boykin could build off a season where he combined for 4,616 total yards.

2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State

Buzz: Elliott galvanized his spot on this list after his tremendous late-season run when he amassed three straight 200-plus yard rushing performances in the Big Ten Championship, the College Football Playoff semifinals and the National Championship.

3. J.T. Barrett/Cardale Jones/Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State

Buzz: Regardless of which player ends up starting the season at quarterback, it’s a good bet that that player will have a tremendous season for the Buckeyes. An Ohio State quarterback has won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year three straight seasons and look for it to be a fourth in 2015.

4. Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU

Buzz: Fournette embodies the hard-nosed rusher that the Southeastern Conference is known for producing. As a freshman, he rushed for 1,034 yards with 10 touchdowns as his emergence late in the season put relentless pressure on defenses to adjust to his presence in the game.

5. Dalvin Cook, RB, FSU

Buzz: Cook was another freshman who demonstrated big-game potential late in the season helping propel Florida State into the College Football Playoff. The Miami native rushed for 1,008 yards with eight touchdowns and figures to play a bigger role for the ‘Noles in 2015.

6. Dak Prescott, QB, Mississippi State

Buzz: Prescott’s no stranger to Heisman hype after the junior helped guide the Bulldogs to the top-spot in the weekly rankings. However, a couple of sub-par performances late in the season against Alabama and Ole Miss thwarted any chance in 2014. Perhaps a reboot in 2015?

7. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

Buzz: Todd Gurley’s midseason suspension along with an array of injuries at the position thrust the freshman running back into the starting role where he thrived. Chubb rushed for 1,547 yards including a career-best 266 yards against Louisville in the Belk Bowl.

8. Cody Kessler, QB, USC

Buzz: Kessler thrived in Steve Sarkisian’s offense in 2014, passing for 3,826 yards and 39 touchdowns. His decision to return in 2015 helps put USC in the hunt for a Pac-12 title and makes him one of the elder statesmen in the conference this season.

9. Samaje Perine, RB, Oklahoma

Buzz: Another freshman sensation who had a breakout season after rushing for 1,713 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Sooners. Perine led the Big 12 in rushing highlighted by his record-setting 427 yards and five touchdown game against Kansas.

10. Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

Buzz: Could this be the year a running back wins the award? The last one to do so was Alabama’s Mark Ingram in 2009. Henry could add to that legacy after rushing for 990 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2014. With T.J. Yeldon off to the NFL, Henry’s role in the offense is sure to grow in 2015.

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