AP writer Ralph Russo wrote a piece today on some possible Heisman candidates that aren’t really getting any buzz.  He makes the point that you don’t have to be a front runner with all of the hype to finish with the trophy in your hands.  Russo points out that Johnny Manziel, Cam Newton, and Jameis Winston won it in their first year in a starting role.

Russo spotlights 6 players that he believes are “down-the-ballot” candidates that could have Heisman worthy seasons, and NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett was one of them.

JACOBY BRISSETT, QB, NORTH CAROLINA STATE

For one quarter last September, Brissett and the Wolfpack were the story of college football. They led Florida State 24-7 and Brissett was making Heisman-worthy plays. It didn’t last, but the Florida transfer had a nice first season with North Carolina State, passing for 2,606 yards and 23 touchdowns and running for another 529 and three scores. If the Pack can complete an upset or two and emerge as a surprise contender in the ACC, Brissett will get more than 15 minutes of fame. (AP)

The other 5 on Russo’s list were:

Kyle Allen – QB – Texas A&M
Christian Hackenberg – QB – Penn St.
Gunner Kiel – QB – Cincinnati
Seth Russell – QB – Baylor
Nick Wilson – RB – Arizona

ESPN’s David Hale wrote a piece in correspondence with Russo’s examining Brissett’s place on the list.  Hale points out the oddity of Brissett being listed here when he is being ranked as the 5th or 6th best quarterback in the ACC.

Despite that, Hale does point the following statistic out.

Power 5 quarterbacks with combined 3,000 yards, 25 total TDs and no more than five interceptions in a season the last decade:

Tim Tebow, Florida (twice)
Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech
Russell Wilson, Wisconsin
Matt McGloin, Penn State
Marcus Mariota, Oregon (twice)
Bryce Petty, Baylor
Connor Shaw, South Carolina
Cody Kessler, USC
Brett Hundley, UCLA
Jacoby Brissett, NC State

Hale points out that every one of these quarterbacks is currently in the NFL, except Kessler, who is a favorite to win the Heisman this year.  He thinks that it is a stretch for Brissett to win the Heisman because of the lack of weapons and the offensive scheme that he is a part of, but he also thinks that Brissett is one of the elite quarterbacks in college football.