Point to Trevone Boykin or any of the umpteen quarterbacks at Ohio St. if you're looking for a Heisman Trophy candidate. For a more nuanced approach, however, look to other signal callers across the country.
Boykin (+450), J.T. Barrett (+900) and Cardale Jones (+1200) are just a few of the odds-on favorites to be named college football's best player, but below are three dark horses worthy of your attention.
Note: credit all odds to Oddshark.com.
Malik Zaire, QB, Notre Dame (+2000)
In addition to the pressures of leading Notre Dame to another national championship, Malik Zaire enters the season looking to replace Everett Golson. With Golson transferring to Florida St., Zaire leads a team returning 18 starters, plays a manageable schedule and has NFL talent on both sides of the ball.
The added exposure that is Notre Dame football will provide Zaire a large enough stage to make his case.
Everett Golson, QB, Florida St. (+3300)
Speaking of Golson, the senior was a frontrunner for the Heisman six weeks into the 2014 season. His efforts, ironically, were derailed following a 31-27 loss to Florida St. in October. Golson faces competition for the QB vacancy left by Jameis Winston. Veteran Sean Maguire and J.J. Cosentino are all vying for snaps under Jimbo Fisher.
Should Golson play well enough to win the starting job, he'll benefit from a mediocre schedule (FPI No. 58) and a signature game at Clemson in Death Valley.
Taysom Hill, QB, BYU (+10000)
The lead dark horse, however, won't have a national stage to showcase his talents. Only pure footballing ability.
Taysom Hill completed 67 percent of his passes and accounted for 15 TDs and just three INTs for BYU last season. Those numbers—albeit a small sample size—were better than that of his previously named competition. The senior led BYU to a 4-0 record and a top 20 ranking before succumbing to a broken leg against Utah State. He returns in 2015 with the intention of finishing last year's job.
Couple Hill's improved accuracy with the return of four starters on the offensive line, and the recipe is there to keep him upright and in New York City come December.
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