5 players to watch as potential Heisman winners in 2017

Now that the 2016 Heisman trophy has been awarded to Lamar Jackson of Louisville, it's time to start thinking about who could take next year's hardware home.

Jackson will no doubt be at the top of many lists as he is just a sophomore, but only one person (Archie Griffin) has ever won the Heisman twice and it will be extremely difficult for Jackson to repeat.

Here are five others to watch for:

QB Jalen Hurts - Alabama

Jalen Hurts became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Alabama in 30 years and turned in an historic first season, leading the Crimson Tide to a 13-0 record and SEC Championship, with a berth into the College Football Playoff.

As a freshman, Hurts threw for 2,592 yards and 22 touchdowns, with nine interceptions. He also rushed for 841 yards and another 12 touchdowns.

Due to the program he plays for and his accomplishments as just a freshman, including potentially a national championship, Hurts will remain in the spotlight all season and have a great chance at winning Alabama's third ever Heisman trophy.

RB Derrius Guice - LSU

With star Leonard Fournette gone to the NFL, 2017 will be Derrius Guice's year as the focal point of the LSU offense. It also helped that since Fournette was injured as much as he was in 2016, Guice was actually able to lead the team in rushing with 1,249 yards and 14 touchdowns.

His eight yards per carry was also eye popping, but not as much as setting the LSU rushing record when he ran for 285 yards against Texas A&M. Two weeks before he also topped the 250 mark against Arkansas.

It will be difficult to unseat a quarterback, but as new head coach Ed Orgeron proved when he was interim head coach at both USC and LSU, he likes to run the ball. If Guice can lead the Tigers over Alabama, his spot in New York may be wrapped up.

QB Baker Mayfield - Oklahoma

It seems like Baker Mayfield has been in college for a decade, giving him great name recognition, which is vital for any potential candidate. It also helps that Mayfield was a finalist in 2016, finishing third in voting.

In his career, Mayfield has thrown for 9,684 yards, 86 touchdowns, and rushed for an additional 738 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Mayfield will have to prove he can put up the same production with fellow 2016 Heisman finalist receiver Dede Westbrook off to the NFL. If he does, and leads Oklahoma to a berth in the College Football Playoff, Mayfield could find himself back in New York.

QB J.T. Barrett - Ohio State

Quarterback will once again dominate the 2017 Heisman race, as only twice in the last 17 years has a player from a different position won the award - running backs Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry of Alabama won in 2009 and 2015.

Like Mayfield and Hurts, J.T. Barrett has name recognition after playing for one of the blue blood programs in the likes of Ohio State, while also finishing fifth in Heisman voting in 2014.

Barrett didn't have the numbers in 2016 as he did in 2014, but with a veteran squad around him next season and a chance at a national championship this year, Barrett will be right back in the thick of things, especially if he can knock off Mayfield at home against Oklahoma on Sept. 9.

QB Sam Darnold - USC

USC was arguably the best team in the second half of the season outside of Alabama, thanks to the likes of Sam Darnold being inserted as the starting quarterback.

In nine games as the starter, Darnold went 8-1, losing just his first start. In all, the redshirt freshman threw for 2,633 yards and 26 touchdowns to just eight interceptions.

His mobility is more in the form of Russell Wilson, buying time to find his receiver and turning nothing into something. Also the fact he is in Los Angeles and at a traditional power will put him front and center in the spotlight.

Other names to watch:

Running back Saquon Barkley (Penn State), quarterback Jake Browning (Washington), quarterback Deondre Francois (Florida State), quarterback Jarrett Stidham (Auburn), and quarterback Shea Patterson (Ole Miss)