2015 Heisman Watch: Boykin and Barrett look strong

Marcus Mariota could have left Oregon after his redshirt sophomore season. He chose to remain for another season, a decision that led Mariota to the Heisman Trophy and Oregon into the College Football Playoff.

Every expectation is that Mariota will trade in one final season of eligibility for a spot in this spring's NFL draft — potentially ending as the top pick in the draft, and very likely as the first quarterback selected. If so, Mariota would become the latest to pass up an opportunity to defend his Heisman win.

When it comes to an early Heisman projection for 2015, let's assume the following players leave at least one season of eligibility on the table to leave for the NFL: Mariota, Melvin Gordon, Amari Cooper, Jameis Winston, Brett Hundley, Todd Gurley, Tevin Coleman, T.J. Yeldon, Jaelen Strong, Jay Ajayi and Duke Johnson.

It will be a new cast of Heisman contenders. Here's a very, very early look at next year's race:

1. TCU QB Trevone Boykin

He'll be even better next fall, in his second season in TCU's new offense, and that's saying something: Boykin was fantastic in 2014. His Heisman campaign will be built on numbers, name recognition and the idea that the Horned Frogs will challenge for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Boykin finished fourth in this year's Heisman balloting.

2. Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett

Barrett might have been a Heisman finalist as a redshirt freshman had he not fractured his ankle in Ohio State's win against rival Michigan on Nov. 29. He'll have to resume his run as the Buckeyes' starter, of course, and it might not be a foregone conclusion: Braxton Miller has another season of eligibility, even if he could choose to spend it elsewhere, and backup Cardale Jones was terrific in a 59-0 win against Wisconsin to claim the Big Ten championship. Barrett finished fifth in this year's Heisman balloting.

3. Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott

Prescott was the frontrunner for several weeks this fall, only dropping off Mariota's pace after the Bulldogs' first loss of the season in November. That he's been in the hunt as a junior will help Prescott start next fall among the top five. Prescott finished eighth in this year's Heisman balloting.

4. Clemson QB Deshaun Watson

Here's the underdog — sort of. Watson's a former five-star recruit, after all, so he's not flying in under the radar. He's still going to lag behind other returning starters during the preseason, due to his injury-marred freshman season, and will need to prove his Heisman credentials on Saturdays. Even without Chad Morris leading Clemson's offense, Watson will put up All-America numbers.

5. Southern California QB Cody Kessler

Lost in Mariota's shadow, Kessler put together a spectacular season under first-year USC coach Steve Sarkisian. Like Boykin, he'll enter his senior season even more familiar with the new system. Also, consider another advantage: In the preseason, at least, Kessler will be the top Heisman candidate from the West Coast.

6. Georgia RB Nick Chubb

Chubb and Samaje Perine, seen next on this list, are fairly interchangeable. Both are young backs coming off outstanding freshmen seasons. Both will be viewed as the top backs in their respective conference as sophomores. Both could put up similar numbers. Chubb gets the early edge thanks to Georgia's potential as a team — the Bulldogs should be better than Oklahoma.

7. Oklahoma RB Samaje Perine

Perine will be the clear focus of Oklahoma's offense as a sophomore. That could lead to even stronger numbers: Perine gained nearly 1,600 yards as a rookie, highlighted by a 427-yard performance against Kansas on Nov. 22, and could produce at an even higher clip with 20-plus carries per game.

8. Arizona LB Scooby Wright

After winning a handful of major awards during the past week, Wright is the rare defender who doubles as a household name. Unlike most defenders who fight the hard fight for Heisman respect, Wright starts ahead of the curve — he's a known commodity, and should remain in the mix as long as he plays at an All-American level. Wright's been playing at that clip since his first day on campus. Wright finished ninth in this year's Heisman balloting.

9. Navy QB Keenan Reynolds

Reynolds was never much of a candidate in 2014. Two reasons: one, he battled injuries, and two, Navy had an average season. A healthy Reynolds is a productive Reynolds; as a sophomore, he set an FBS single-season record for rushing touchdowns as a quarterback. And don't discount how voters will view a record-setting quarterback who plays on a successful team — especially if that team is a service academy.

10. Oregon RB Royce Freeman

A third sophomore running back to keep in early Heisman consideration. While Mariota's departure hurts the Ducks' offense as a whole, it should mean a beefed-up role for Freeman, who lived up to every expectation in a 1,299-yard regular season. That could result in LaMichael James-like numbers for Freeman, which could in turn result in a trip to Manhattan as a Heisman finalist.

Follow Paul Myerberg on Twitter @PaulMyerberg.