5 Reasons Why BYU QB Taysom Hill is Early Heisman Front-Runner

By Tyson Sweet

5 Reasons Why Taysom Hill is the Early Heisman Front-Runner

Taysom Hill — Brigham Young University began the season unranked, but they cracked into the top 25 by Week 3. After four full weeks of college football, BYU now ranks No. 20 in the nation, and it all starts with their superstar quarterback Taysom Hill. Hill is a dual-threat quarterback who demands national attention, and these are five reasons as to why he deserves to be an early Heisman favorite.

5. BYU Cougars in Great Position To Go Undefeated

Houston v BYU

5. BYU Cougars in Great Position To Go Undefeated

Houston v BYU — Hill has put his team in position to go undefeated this season after once again stomping out the Texas Longhorns about three weeks ago thanks in part to 280 total yards and three touchdowns. Since then, the BYU Cougars have defeated the Houston Cougars and Virginia Cavaliers. One Virginia linebacker declared Hill the best athlete he has ever played against. Yeah, the schedule isn't the toughest, but Hill is a workhorse for the BYU Cougars.

4. Media Unnecessary To Become a Legitimate Heisman Candidate

BYU v Boise State

4. Media Unnecessary To Become a Legitimate Heisman Candidate

BYU v Boise State — Guys like Marcus Mariota and Todd Gurley may deserve to be Heisman front-runners, but they also receive a lot of national attention because of the schools they play for. Hill, however, is a dark horse candidate that demands your attention because of what he does on the field week in and week out. Hill made himself a legitimate Heisman candidate without the help of the media.

3. Improvement With His Arm

Houston v BYU

3. Improvement With His Arm

Houston v BYU — If there is a knock on Hill, it is his throwing ability, which does not compete with the likes of Marcus Mariota. Hill, however, has shown improvement. He had always struggled with longer passes, but this season he is averaging 7.2 yards per attempt, while completing 66.1 percent of his passes. That is a good bump from last season, and Hill can still get better. He will need to throw more touchdowns, as he sits at six TDs with three INTs.

2. 428 Yards, 7 TDs

BYU Cougars v Texas Longhorns

2. 428 Yards, 7 TDs

BYU Cougars v Texas Longhorns — This is the total number of rushing yards and scores on the ground that Hill is responsible for after just four weeks of the season. Since last season, Hill has proved that he can run on any team – whether it be Texas, Nevada, Utah, Notre Dame or Washington, Hill is always a threat on the ground. I would say that Hill will probably go over 100 yards rushing a half dozen more times by the season's end.

1. Dual-Theat Nightmare for Opposing Defenses

BYU v Wisconsin

1. Dual-Theat Nightmare for Opposing Defenses

BYU v Wisconsin — When you combine Hill’s incredible athletic ability and his ever improving arm, he becomes a player who is extremely hard to defend. Hill has become the kind of beast on offense that can put a team on his back and lead them to victory. Nevada, Boise State, UNLV and Cal perhaps stand the best chance at standing in Hill’s way. We’ll see if they can manage to slow him down.

Tyson Sweet is a Seattle Seahawks writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @The12thDude, like him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google!

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BYU Cougars

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