Written by Adrian Beecher
Dalvin Cook – RB – FSU
As Cook enters his junior year of college, he is on the top of NFL scouts radar as one of the Nations most prolific running backs. Coming off a school record performance last year with 1,691 yards rushing and 19 TD’s, he is poised for a Heisman run.
With Cook in the FSU backfield, the Noles are always equipped with the threat to break one. In 5 games last season Cook broke off runs of 50 yards or more. What’s more impressive is what he has done on 1st downs. In 2015, over half of his rushing yards (886) came on 1st down along with 12 of his 19 touchdowns.
With 2,699 rushing yards in his career to this point, Cook sits just 1,261 rushing yards to pass Warrick Dunn as the all-time leading rushing in FSU history. With Dalvins progression and a full healthy season ahead of him, you could be looking at FSU’s first ever 2,000-yard single-season rusher.
Cook received just 7 first-place votes in the Heisman voting last season and was shut down in the Chik-fil-A Peach Bowl to Houston, who only allowed him 33 yards on the ground. It’s safe to say that FSU’s Dalvin Cook has a chip on his shoulder and is out to make a statement as he looks to lead his team to Tampa in January and back in the postseason win column.
As Cook enters his junior year of college, he is on the top of NFL scouts radar as one of the Nations most prolific running backs. Coming off a school record performance last year with 1,691 yards rushing and 19 TD’s, he is poised for a Heisman run.
With Cook in the FSU backfield, the Noles are always equipped with the threat to break one. In 5 games last season Cook broke off runs of 50 yards or more. What’s more impressive is what he has done on 1st downs. In 2015, over half of his rushing yards (886) came on 1st down along with 12 of his 19 touchdowns.
With 2,699 rushing yards in his career to this point, Cook sits just 1,261 rushing yards to pass Warrick Dunn as the all-time leading rushing in FSU history. With Dalvins progression and a full healthy season ahead of him, you could be looking at FSU’s first ever 2,000-yard single-season rusher.
Cook received just 7 first-place votes in the Heisman voting last season and was shut down in the Chik-fil-A Peach Bowl to Houston, who only allowed him 33 yards on the ground. It’s safe to say that FSU’s Dalvin Cook has a chip on his shoulder and is out to make a statement as he looks to lead his team to Tampa in January and back in the postseason win column.
DeShaun Watson – QB - Clemson
After losing to Alabama and coming just 1 score short of a hoisting the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy, the focus of the Clemson Tigers could not be more certain. For their leader under center Deshaun Watson, all eyes are watching to see what type of an encore performance he will put in this season.
Last season he became the 1st player in NCAA FBS History to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for another 1,000 in the same season. After shredding FSU for 107 yards last season, Watson finished the last 4 games of the year with three 100+ yard performances on the ground that were combined with passing performances of 250+ yards.
With the Tigers returning 8 starters to their offense this year, their wont be much of a learning curve for Watson and familiar threats are sure to keep the Tiger train rolling towards the College Football Playoff. Like Watson’s roommate Artavis Scott, who caught 93 passes for over 900 yards, and tight end Jordan Leggett who led the Tigers in catching 8 of Deshaun’s 35 TD passes this year.
Watson received an invite to the Heisman Trophy presentation in New York City last season. After all the votes were tallied a third place finish is what the Tiger was able to take back with him, tallying 148 first place votes. Too many “almosts” happened upon Watson for full satisfaction from his impressive 2015-16 season.
After losing to Alabama and coming just 1 score short of a hoisting the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Trophy, the focus of the Clemson Tigers could not be more certain. For their leader under center Deshaun Watson, all eyes are watching to see what type of an encore performance he will put in this season.
Last season he became the 1st player in NCAA FBS History to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for another 1,000 in the same season. After shredding FSU for 107 yards last season, Watson finished the last 4 games of the year with three 100+ yard performances on the ground that were combined with passing performances of 250+ yards.
With the Tigers returning 8 starters to their offense this year, their wont be much of a learning curve for Watson and familiar threats are sure to keep the Tiger train rolling towards the College Football Playoff. Like Watson’s roommate Artavis Scott, who caught 93 passes for over 900 yards, and tight end Jordan Leggett who led the Tigers in catching 8 of Deshaun’s 35 TD passes this year.
Watson received an invite to the Heisman Trophy presentation in New York City last season. After all the votes were tallied a third place finish is what the Tiger was able to take back with him, tallying 148 first place votes. Too many “almosts” happened upon Watson for full satisfaction from his impressive 2015-16 season.