As we continue our week of predictions, the Devy Watch Staff made their 2019 Heisman picks. There wasn’t much variety between the seven of us. We all picked quarterbacks – 3 in total. And the quarterback we picked the most might surprise you.
Brad McDaniel: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Current Odds: 14/1
Dwayne Haskins was a first-year starter in 2018. He threw 50 TD passes and was a Heisman finalist. I’m not about to tell you Justin Fields will throw 50 TDs in 2019, but he could be responsible for 50. If so, his 50 will be a lot flashier than Haskins’ 50 thanks to his athletic ability. For Fields to win the 2019 Heisman, he’ll need to lead Ohio State to a Big Ten Championship and not lose votes to teammate J.K. Dobbins.
Clayton Stefan: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama
Current Odds: 14/5
Last season for this article I correctly pegged Kyler Murray to win the Heisman. One of the featured elements of that article was the tendency for dual-threat quarterbacks to win the award in recent seasons. While he will never be confused with Lamar Jackson, I do believe that Tua’s rushing ability is generally underrated to this point in his career. Significantly hampered by a knee injury for much of the season, Tagovailoa was severely restricted in both his ability to scramble for yardage and to avoid sacks. Despite still getting the “Tua Treatment” for most of Alabama’s games in 2019, I look for Tua to open eyes with his incredible elusiveness and sneaky rushing chops en route to an undefeated regular season and well deserved 2019 Heisman Trophy.
Cody Garrett: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Current Odds: 14/1
I tossed between a few different QBs but ultimately landed with Fields. The other two guys I considered (Tua and Lawrence), I can see their teams using the run game quite a bit which could eat into their own production. And not only am I a huge fan of Fields, but I love his situation and talent around him even though they are less experienced than in the past. We saw what Haskins did as a first-year starter at Ohio State and I have faith Fields can replicate much of what he did.
Greg Brandt: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Current Odds: 5/2
I have a hard time envisioning a scenario where Clemson doesn’t just steamroll through the 2019 regular season. Lawrence tossed 30 TDs to only 4 INTs despite not starting the first four games of the season. The only way I don’t see Lawrence throwing for over 40 TDs in the regular would be due to the Tigers rolling through opponents and giving Chase Brice plenty of playing time in mop-up duty. Lawrence has the talent, the looks, and the team to guide him to the Heisman Trophy.
Jason DiRienzo: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Current Odds: 5/2
Justyn Ross, Tee Higgins and the incoming freshman receivers that each had over 100 yards in the Spring Game add to the arsenal that Lawrence has on offense. Lawrence’s near-elite skillset with an above-average offensive line and a cake schedule make this Heisman prediction become very possible. Everything is setting up for Lawrence to have a dominant season and a Heisman award at the end seems like the most plausible outcome.
Kyle Francis: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Current Odds: 14/1
Fields checks all of my Heisman boxes. He is a quarterback, plays at a Power Five school that’s east of the Mississippi, and will play on a team that wins nine or more games. I toggled between Haskins and Murray last year with my vote, but I’m going back to the Ohio State-well. Perhaps I’m a year early on Fields, but I can’t pass on the player, price, and situation.
Lawrence Chaney: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Current Odds: 14/1
Justin Fields is one of the most gifted quarterback recruits in the past decade. He steps into the starting role for a team that vacated 50 touchdown passes from the previous season. Ohio State has legitimate NFL talent and depth at all of their skill positions. Add in Justin Fields rushing ability and it’s a prime selection for the Heisman trophy. He will receive the exposure needed at a nationally prominent football university while benefiting from an easy slate through the first month of the season which should help boost his numbers creating early buzz. Ohio State is my favorite to make the college football playoff out of the Big Ten which also lends credence to Fields as my Heisman selection for this season.
