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After 11 weeks of football, these are the top level contenders for the most coveted trophy in college football.
Lamar Jackson - He has 2,898 yards in the air and another 1,334 on the ground. He has a stunning 46 total touchdowns and has helped his team top 50 plus points in six contests. Patrick Mahomes II, Davis Webb, Luke Falk and Deshaun Watson are just a few of the other impressive quarterbacks. However, none of them have the combination of monster rushing and passing yards with that touchdown total, which should keep Jackson ahead of the pack.
Donnel Pumphrey - There is no typical SEC running back even sniffing the top ten on the leading rushing list. This makes the race very interesting as those who decide the winner are lacking their favorite target. Hopefully they do not overlook Pumphrey because he attends San Diego State. He has tallied 1,779 yards on the ground with 14 touchdowns. He has been consistent all year and is over 100 yards in the lead of second place. He should be in New York. Side note: Lamar Jackson is sixth on the rushing list.
Jabrill Peppers - What a year he has had, this should be the first defensive player to win since Charles Woodson. On offense he has 161 rushing yards and three touchdowns. On special teams, he has 474 total return yards and a touchdown. On the defensive side he has racked up 58 tackles, 39 of those solo, with 13 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He also has seven quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Come on people, what more proof do you need? Give him the trophy.
D’Onta Foreman - Despite the Texas Longhorns drop off, Foreman is still playing like these are all playoff games and has 1,613 yards with 13 touchdowns. Last week he tied Earl Campbell’s record of 11 straight 100 yard rushing games. He is constant and a big down hill runner, but is also really fast. He is big but can hustle and has broken out a 74 yard carry this season. While he is behind Pumphrey, he is from a traditional college football power and seems like the runner we are used to seeing come out of Alabama. He is a dark horse but has a shot.
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