2020 Early Heisman Early Odds: Best Value Candidate No. 5
RB Najee Harris, Alabama 40/1
In 2015, Derrick Henry kicked off his Heisman-winning season with a 147-yard, three-touchdown day on just 13 carries in a win over Wisconsin.
In 2009, Mark Ingram started his run for the Heisman with 150 yards and a score in a workhorse win over Virginia Tech.
Harris will get his shot to open up with something massive with the opener against USC in Arlington.
The Crimson Tide have to play Georgia a few weeks later, and a road game at LSU along with Texas A&M and Auburn to close out the regular season will matter, but that’s a positive for the Heisman chase.
If you’re the Alabama running back, you don’t have to run for 2,000 yards – even though Henry did – to take the Heisman. You have to be the star, and the reason the team marches to a possible national championship.
Harris is a one-time super-recruit who wasn’t a disappointment, but hadn’t quite played up to his potential. That all changed late in the year, and now, look out.
At a 40/1 value, yeah … look out.