College football is back this week, and the final days of our 2019 Heisman Trophy candidate countdown get into the top five. Here are the first two weeks of the countdown:
#15: Michigan QB Shea Patterson
#12: Ohio State QB Justin Fields
#10: Ohio State RB J.K. Dobbins
#7: Nebraska QB Adrian Martinez
Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm should be a top NFL prospect whenever he declares for the draft, but he’ll likely first be in the mix for the Heisman Trophy.
Why he can win it
All while fending off other top quarterback recruits and remaining the clear starter and team leader for the Bulldogs, Fromm has already led Georgia to a national championship appearance and another New Year’s Six Bowl (the Sugar Bowl) in his first two college seasons. Fromm was already incredibly poised as a true freshman, and now he has two years of experience under his belt—he’ll be on his game in the biggest matchups. Georgia doesn’t play Alabama during the regular season, and they get to face Notre Dame at home for their top out-of-conference contest. Fromm has a case for the best overall player in college football.
Why he won’t win it
Though he possesses the athleticism to scramble more, Fromm doesn’t do much damage with his legs (-27 rush yards last season), and he might not get enough opportunities throwing the ball (307 attempts in 2018 after 291 attempts as a true freshman) compared to quarterbacks throwing the ball a lot more to have big enough numbers to win the Heisman. The Bulldogs lost key weapons Riley Ridley, Terry Godwin, and Mecole Hardman to the NFL after losing Javon Wims to the league the year before.
What must happen
Georgia must get back to the College Football Playoff, with Fromm having an ultra-efficient season with more pass attempts than his first two years.
Stat projection
242/351 (68.9%) | 3,229 PASS YDS | 34 PASS TD | 4 INT
44 CAR | 48 RUSH YDS | 2 RUSH TD | 1.1 AVG
*NOTE: White Wolf is not affiliated with the Heisman Trophy. This article is a staff opinion and is not an official Heisman Trophy watch.
Fromm is just as good as Lawrence. Nothing against Lawrence just how good Fromm is.
Overrated