Sure, the snaps that count won't begin until late August and recent Heisman Trophy winners have come out of nowhere — Lamar Jackson in 2016, Johnny Manziel in 2012, Cam Newton in 2010 — but here are some players who could be candidates.

• Bryce Love, Stanford: He's the nation's leading returning rusher (2,118 yards, 19 touchdowns and an 8.05-yard average per carry), and the Cardinal should be in contention to win the Pac-12 North.

• Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin: After rushing for 1,977 yards and 13 TDs as a freshman last year, Taylor has a chance to build on that. The Badgers return what might be the best offensive line in the country, so Taylor will have plenty of holes through which to run.

• Trace McSorley, Penn State: With Saquon Barkley off to the NFL, the keys to Penn State's offense belong to McSorley. The QB amassed 4,061 yards of total offense (3,570 passing, 491 rushing) and accounted for 39 TDs.

RANDY JOHNSON