Conference Championship weekend gave some of the best individual college football players in the game today one last chance to shine, and that’s exactly what they did. There were huge running days, great showings in the passing game and a legendary all-around performance as the top three contenders tried to make their last pitch to the Heisman Trophy voters.

Here is my ranking of the top contenders for the Heisman Trophy after the final weekend or the season. 

Just missed the cut

Keyarris Garrett, wide receiver, senior, Tulsa

Garrett finished second in the nation in receiving yards as he helped to lead the Golden Hurricane to the Camping World Independence Bowl. On the season, he had 88 receptions for 1,451 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games.

Matt Breida, running back, junior, Georgia Southern

Breida put up nice numbers in limited touches as the Eagles lost to Georgia State 34-7. He carried the ball eight times for 45 yards. On the season, he totaled 188 carries for 1,540 yards and 16 touchdowns in 12 games.

Brian Hill, running back, sophomore, Wyoming

Hill had a remarkable year even though the Cowboys struggled to a 2-10 season. He finished with 281 carries for 1,631 yards and six touchdowns to go along with 20 catches for 132 yards in 12 games.

Alex Collins, running back, junior, Arkansas

Collins was one of the best running backs in the loaded SEC. On the season, he carried the ball 248 times for 1,392 yards and 17 touchdowns with 13 catches for 95 yards in 12 games.

The list

25. Tyler Ervin, running back, senior, San Jose State

Ervin helped carry the Spartans offense all year long. On the season, he carried the ball 264 times for 1,469 yards and 13 touchdowns with 44 catches for 337 yards and two more scores in 12 games.

24. Connor Cook, quarterback, senior,  Michigan State

Cook didn’t have his best day, but the Spartans did just enough to knock off Iowa 16-13 in the Big Ten Championship. He completed 16 of 32 passes for 191 yards and an interception. On the season, he completed 56.9 percent of his throws for 2,921 yards and 24 touchdowns in 12 games.

23. Paxton Lynch, quarterback, junior, Memphis

Although the Tigers struggled down the stretch, Lynch still led them to a nine-win year.  On the season, he completed 69 percent of his throws for 3,670 yards and 28 touchdowns with just three interceptions in 12 games.

22. Nick Mullens, quarterback, junior, Southern Mississippi

Mullens had a tough day as the Golden Eagles fell 45-28 to Western Kentucky in the Conference USA Championship. He completed 15 of 30 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions. On the season, he completed 63.4 percent of his throws for 4,145 yards and 36 touchdowns.

21. Roger Lewis, wide receiver, sophomore, Bowling Green

Lewis had another productive day as the Falcons beat Northern Illinois 34-14 to secure the MAC Championship. He caught six passes for 75 yards and a touchdown. He ended the regular season with 82 receptions for 1,476 yards and 15 touchdowns.

20. Dak Prescott, quarterback, senior, Mississippi State

Prescott was one of the best players in the SEC as he led the Bulldogs to an 8-4 year. On the season, he completed 66.9 percent of his throws for 3,413 yards and 25 touchdowns with four interceptions. He added 541 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground in 12 games.

 

19. Larry Rose III, running back, sophomore, New Mexico State

Rose ended the year with his fourth multiple-touchdown game as the Aggies fell 42-35 to Louisiana Monroe. He had 27 carries for 64 yards and two touchdowns with two catches. On the season, he had 240 carries for 1,651 yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with 30 catches for 283 yards and two more scores in 12 games.

18. Keenan Reynolds, quarterback, senior, Navy

Reynolds had the week off to prepare for one of the most storied rivalries in college football. On the season, he completed 54.8 percent of his throws for 964 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games. He also has 1,093 yards and 19 touchdowns in the rushing attack.

Up next is a matchup with Army.

17. Jared Goff, quarterback, junior, California

Goff led the Bears to a 7-5 year while earning All-Pac-12 first-team honors. On the season, he completed 64.2 percent of his throws for 4,252 yards and 37 touchdowns in 12 games.

16. Patrick Mahomes, quarterback, sophomore, Texas Tech

Mahomes put up big passing numbers all year long as he led the Red Raiders to a 7-5 record.  On the season, he completed 65 percent of his throws for 4,283 yards and 32 touchdowns to go along with 484 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground in 12 games.

15. Greg Ward Jr., quarterback, junior, Houston

Ward had a great game on the ground as the Cougars beat Temple 24-13 for the AAC Championship. He carried the ball 17 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns and completed 11 of 21 passes for 88 yards. On the season, he completed 68.1 percent of his throws for 2,590 yards and 16 touchdowns while totaling 1,041 rushing yards and 19 scores.

14. Matt Johnson, quarterback, senior, Bowling Green

Johnson had a nice showing as the Falcons beat Northern Illinois 34-14 for the MAC Championship. He completed 25 of 37 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns. On the season, he completed 68.8 percent of his throws for 4,700 yards and 43 touchdowns in 13 games.

13. Josh Doctson, wide receiver, senior, TCU

Even though he dealt with injuries for the last part of the season, Doctson still had a phenomenal year.  He finished with 79 receptions for 1,327 yards and 14 touchdowns in 10 games.

12. Corey Coleman, wide receiver, junior, Baylor

Coleman managed to put up some solid numbers even  though the Bears ended the day with a wide receiver at quarterback during the 23-17 loss to Texas. He caught seven passes for 49 yards and carried the ball three times for 34 yards. On the season, he had 74 receptions for 1,363 yards and 20 touchdowns to go along with 111 yards in the running game in 12 games.

11. Luke Falk, quarterback, sophomore, Washington State

Falk earned All-Pac-12 first-team honors after he led the Cougars to an 8-4 record. On the season, he completed 70.7 percent of his throws for 4,266 yards and 36 touchdowns in 11 games.

10. Royce Freeman, running back, sophomore, Oregon

Freeman earned first-team All-Pac-12 recognition after he helped to carry the Ducks’ to a 9-3 record. On the season, he had 257 carries for 1,706 yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with 24 receptions for 325 yards and two more scores in 12 games.

9. Trevone Boykin, quarterback, senior, TCU

Boykin led the Horned Frogs to another 10-win year.  On the season, he completed 64.9 percent of his throws for 3,575 yards and 31 touchdowns with 612 rushing yards and nine scores in 11 games.

8. Leonard Fournette, running back, sophomore, LSU 

Although the year didn’t end the way many expected, Fournette was still amazing. On the season, he had 271 carries for 1,741 yards and 18 touchdowns with 18 catches for 209 yards in just 11 games.

7. Brandon Doughty, quarterback, senior, Western Kentucky

Doughty had another monster day as the Hilltoppers beat Southern Mississippi 45-28 for the Conference USA title. He completed 34 of 52 passes for 410 yards and three touchdowns. On the season, he completed 71.8 percent of his throws for 4,594 yards and 45 touchdowns in 13 games.

6. Ezekiel Elliott, running back, junior, Ohio State

Elliott was the most consistent weapon for the 11-1 Buckeyes. On the season, he had 262 carries for 1,672 yards and 19 touchdowns with 26 catches for 176 yards in 12 games.

5. Baker Mayfield, quarterback, junior, Oklahoma

Mayfield put up big-time numbers all season long as he led the Sooners to the Big 12 title and a berth in the college football’s final four. On the season, he completed 68.6 percent of his throws for 3,389 yards and 35 touchdowns with just five interceptions. He also had 420 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground in 12 games.

4. Dalvin Cook, running back, sophomore, Florida State

Cook had an explosive sophomore campaign as the No.1 weapon for the 10-2 Seminoles. On the season, he had 211 carries for 1,658 yards and 18 touchdowns with 22 receptions for 218 yards and another score in 11 games.

3. Deshaun Watson, quarterback, sophomore, Clemson

Watson put up more big numbers as the Tigers held on to beat North Carolina 45-37 in the ACC Championship. He completed 26 of 42 passes for 289 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 24 carries for 131 yards and two scores. On the season, he completed 69.5 percent of his throws for 3,512 yards and 30 touchdowns. He added 887 yards and 11 scores in the running game.

2. Christian McCaffrey, running back, sophomore, Stanford

McCaffrey had an incredible showing as the Cardinal bounced USC 41-22 in the Pac-12 Championship. He finished with 461 all-purpose yards, including 32 carries for 207 yards and a touchdown. He also caught four passes for 105 yards and another score to go along with an 11-yard touchdown pass. On the season, he had 319 carries for 1,847 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the team with 41 receptions for 540 yards and four more scores. He also completed 2 of 3 passes for 39 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 1,042 yards and a touchdown on 36 kick returns in 13 games.

1. Derrick Henry, running back, junior, Alabama

Henry had another big rushing day as the Crimson Tide beat Florida 29-15 in the SEC Championship game. He carried the ball 44 times for 189 yards and a touchdown. On the season, he had 339 carries for 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns to go along with 10 catches for 97 yards in 13 games.