Top 3 Heisman Candidates From Each SEC West School for 2015

Derrick Henry, RB

At 6'3", 242 pounds, Derrick Henry is built like a linebacker but he runs like a track star. Henry led Alabama in rushing last season with 990 yards despite having to share playing time with T.J. Yeldon.  With Yeldon gone, Henry is poised to break the 1,000 yard mark this season. He will likely have his number (which is now #2) called on a lot since there are uncertainties at quarterback.

Kenyan Drake, RB/WR

Kenyan Drake will be returning from a gruesome leg injury that he suffered last season against Ole Miss. Before his injury, Drake had established himself as one of the most athletic players on the team as both a running back and wide receiver. Drake can become a superstar in Lane Kiffin's offensive scheme if he stays healthy.

JK Scott, P

JK Scott led the nation in punting as a true freshman by averaging 48.0 yards per punt. The First Team All-American downed 31-of-55 punts inside the 20-yard line, which was also the best in the nation. A Heisman campaign was started on Twitter after he averaged over 44 yards per punt against Arkansas. Realistically, we know that a punter cannot win the Heisman Trophy.....Right?

Alex Collins, RB

Alex Collins was one of Bret Bielema's first blue chip recruits at Arkansas, and he has paid dividends. The Florida native had to rotate with Jonathan Williams last season, and he still managed to rush for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns. It is not crazy to think that he will repeat that success this season since he has the biggest offensive line in the SEC leading the way for him.

Jonathan Williams, RB

Arkansas is one of the only teams in the country that has two running backs capable of winning the Heisman trophy. Williams led the Razorbacks in rushing with 1,190 yards last season. He and Alex Collins were the only teammates in the FBS to each rush for over 1,000 yards last season. Like Collins, he will benefit from having such a large offensive line in front of him.

Hunter Henry, TE

Hunter Henry is a name you may have missed due to all the hype surrounding Arkansas' running backs and offensive linemen. The 2014 Second Team All-SEC tight end was second in receptions (37) and receiving yards (513) for the Razorbacks last season. He will likely improve on those numbers this season, and he will continue to be one of the best blocking tight ends in the SEC.

Jeremy Johnson, QB

Having a first year starting quarterback is normally a thing to worry about. However, Jeremy Johnson has the potential to be the best Auburn quarterback since *gasp* Cam Newton. Johnson passed for 436 yards with a 75.7 completion percentage last season in mop-up duty. His arm strength and running ability allows him to fit into Gus Malzahn's offense like a glove.

Duke Williams, WR

You know Auburn has big weapons on offense when you can lose Sammie Coates and still not be able to say you lost your best wide receiver. Duke Williams led Auburn in receptions (45) and receiving touchdowns (5) last season. The one time JUCO also had four games with 100+ receiving yards. You can expect to see Jeremy Johnson calling on Williams' number a lot this season.

Roc Thomas, RB

It would be unfair not to mention an Auburn running back as a potential Heisman contender when the Tigers averaged over 46 rushes per game in 2014. Roc Thomas contributed to the ground attack last season and will likely feel a much bigger role this season with the departure of Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant. This is all assuming Thomas beats out Petyon Barber for the starting job.

Leonard Fournette, RB

Leonard Fournette enters his sophomore season with the talent and ability to compete with most NFL running backs. During his freshman season, the 6'1", 230 pound running back ran for 1,043 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging almost six yards per carry. His role in the Tigers' offense will increase now that Terrence Magee and Kenny Hilliard are gone.

Malachi Dupre, WR

Malachi Dupre may just be the second best sophomore on LSU's roster. Dupre is not even the top returning wide receiver, but he has the ability and athleticism to be the next Odell Beckham. He had 5 receiving touchdowns and averaged just over 22 yards per reception. LSU's issues at quarterback may allow Dupre to fly under the radar until the 2016 season.

Tre'Davious White, DB

Tre'Davious White is both a lockdown corner and a punt return specialist. White averaged over 10 yards per punt return in 2014 including a 67-yard touchdown return against Kentucky. He is a key figure in an LSU secondary that is known for producing some of the best defensive backs in college football. He may not be the next Charles Woodson, but he will certainly be a top contributor.

Laquon Treadwell, WR

Laquon Treadwell is looking for a big return after having his season cut short last year by a gruesome leg injury. Treadwell still managed to lead the Rebels in receptions (48) through just nine games. Do not be surprised if he has even more receptions through his first nine games this season. The only thing that can keep him from being the SEC's top wide receiver is his health.

Robert Nkemdiche, DL

Robert Nkemdiche headlined Hugh Freeze's 2013 all-star recruiting class. Entering his junior season, Nkemdiche is looking to headline the Rebels' defense and lead them to a promising post-season. He finished his sophomore campaign with 35 tackles and two sacks despite drawing constant double teams. Can he become the next Ndamukong Suh?

Evan Engram, TE

Evan Engram joins Hunter Henry as the only two tight ends to make this list. Engram may just be the best tight end in the SEC and will be an extremely valuable asset for any Ole Miss quarterback. He earned First Team All-SEC honors after finishing the 2014 season with 38 receptions and 662 receiving yards. Do not be surprised if Engram is an All-SEC selection once again.

Dak Prescott, QB

Dak Prescott was the key to Mississippi State's 2014 success. Prescott helped the Bulldogs power their way to a number one ranking for the first time ever. He passed for over 3,400 yards and 27 touchdowns while adding 986 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. The senior will have a much bigger load to carry this season, but it could mean more post-season hardware.

De'Runnya Wilson, WR

Dak Prescott's success at quarterback last season was made possible by a strong supporting cast. His top wide receiver, De'Runnya Wilson, had 15 more receptions than the next closest person on his team. Wilson finished the year with 47 receptions, 680 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. He has the potential to be an All-SEC wide receiver, and he will be Prescott's go-to guy this season.

Ashton Shumpert, RB

Running backs that operate in Dan Mullen's offense usually rack up some pretty nice statistics. Ashton Shumpert will be no different as he is replacing the departing Josh Robinson. Shumpert came on strong late and had 28 rushes for 150 in the last three games of the season after having 20 rushes for 124 yards in his first 10 games. He will be a nice addition to the backfield if he wins the starting job.

Kyle Allen, QB

The start of the 2014 quickly became the Kenny Hill Show. The end of the 2014 season was the Kyle Allen Show. Allen came on late in the season and helped lead the Aggies in victories over Auburn and West Virginia. He finished the year with 1,322 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. He is not Johnny Manziel, but he has the potential to be a Heisman winner.

Josh Reynolds, WR

Josh Reynolds may just be the best receiver in Texas A&M's entire stable of talented players. Reynolds had 52 receptions for 842 yards and had seven more touchdowns than the next closest receiver. He can easily emerge as the best receiver in the SEC, but his counterparts, Speedy Noil and Ricky Seals-Jones, are capable of doing the same thing.

Myles Garrett, DL 

Myles Garrett probably would have been recognized as the SEC's top freshman player in 2014 had it not been for Leonard Fournette and Nick Chubb. He was second in the SEC in sacks (11.5) last season and will be even better under new defensive coordinator John Chavis. Garrett is the poster boy ( or poster man) to a brighter future for A&M's defense.