2018 Heisman Candidate Countdown #5: D’Andre Swift

D’Andre Swift starting the top-five of the 2018 Heisman Trophy candidate countdown makes it two straight Georgia Bulldogs on the list.

 

#25: Jalen Hurts

#24: Adrian Martinez

#23: Travis Etienne

#22: Shane Buechele

#21: Nick Fitzgerald

#20: Rodney Anderson

#19: Justice Hill

#18: A.J. Brown

#17: Damien Harris

#16: Drew Lock

#15: McKenzie Milton

#14: Khalil Tate

#13: Will Grier

#12: Justin Herbert

#11: Dwayne Haskins

#10: Shea Patterson

#9: Tua Tagovailoa

#8: Kelly Bryant

#7: Jarrett Stidham

#6: Jake Fromm

 

It takes about two seconds to conclude that Swift has a ton of ability on the football field. As the clear leader in Georgia’s backfield, he should have a solid chance at the Heisman Trophy this season.

 

Why he can win it

Despite having future first- and second-round picks Sony Michel and Nick Chubb in front of him as exceptional upperclassmen, Swift forced his way onto the field as a true freshman and did some damage last season. Swift carried 81 times for 618 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and three rushing touchdowns along with 17 receptions for 153 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. With Michel and Chubb (who combined for a whopping 379 carries for Georgia last year) both now in the NFL, this is Swift’s backfield; and after what he showed last season, there actually might not be any drop-off in production. Swift is fully expected to be the next great Georgia running back in a long line of them. Also, the Bulldogs should again be Playoff contenders after they won the SEC and made the title game last season.

 

Why he won’t win it

Brian Herrien and Elijah Holyfield (the son of legendary Hall of Fame boxer Evander Holyfield) are both in the backfield mix as juniors, and they could potentially take more work away than Swift than is expected. We expect he can handle a heavy workload without issues, but perhaps Swift won’t be as effective and explosive with a large number of touches per game.

 

What needs to happen

Swift needs to make the same gamebreaking plays he did as a freshman while handling a heavy workload for the Bulldogs. Georgia needs to at least come close to making the College Football Playoff.

 

Stat projection

268 CAR | 2,010 RUSH YDS | 20 RUSH TD | 7.5 AVG

23 REC | 206 REC YDS | 2 REC TD | 9.0 AVG