Heisman Trophy winners list: Lamar Jackson expected to join as the 81st name

The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner will be announced on Saturday, and this year’s finalists are Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson (the favorite), Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook, and Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers.

Jackson had an incredible season, leading Louisville to an electric 9-1 start, with a dominant victory over Florida State and a narrow near-comeback against Clemson on the road. He accounted for 51 touchdowns on the year, a new ACC record. Despite two losses to end the season, to Houston and Kentucky, Jackson’s onslaught of touchdowns was enough to tout him as the season-long favorite to win the award.

Here’s the full history of winners, with the sophomore QB expected to be added as the first-ever Louisville Cardinal to make the list. There have been 81 all-time winners of 82 trophies, with Ohio State’s Archie Griffin being the only two-time winner.

Watson is in New York for a second consecutive year, leading his Clemson team to another College Football Playoff appearance. The Tigers’ QB has the second-best odds to win the award, but he has the advantage of being able to say he won the ACC and beat Jackson’s team head-to-head back in October. He totaled nearly 4,000 passing yards, along with 37 touchdown passes. Watson’s got the best chance to upset Jackson, but you shouldn’t count on it.

Oklahoma’s duo in the race, Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook, helped each other’s causes to make it to New York. Mayfield, who boasts the best passer rating in the nation at 198 (which would be a record if it sticks), has thrown 38 touchdowns against just eight picks. Westbrook has caught 16 of those touchdowns and has nearly 1,500 of Mayfield’s 3,669 yards. They likely won’t win, but Bob Stoops has to feel good about having two candidates up for the award.

Peppers didn’t put up amazing stats like any of the aforementioned players, but he’s been the one player who’s been able to play anywhere he’s been needed for Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines. He’s played as a linebacker, a safety, a cornerback, a wildcat quarterback, a running back, a receiver, a kick returner, and a punt returner. Nobody else on the list can say that.