NFL.com: Oregon Ducks QB Vernon Adams Could Win Heisman in 2015

In 2014 the Heisman Trophy candidates included Melvin Gordon, Marcus Mariota and Jamies Winston and for some it came down to the wire between Winston and Mariota. In the end the Oregon Ducks Quarterback took home the prize and then went on to beat the Seminoles and Winston in the Rose Bowl en route to the National Championship.

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The Heisman landscape in 2016 is not so clear with several Pac-12 teams that will have contenders including Anu Solomon from Arizona and Oregon will have a hat in the ring with Quarterback Vernon Adams. The Ducks are loaded on Offense and could land more than one candidate before all is said and done.

NFL.com took a look ahead at who the contenders are and Adams did find his way on the list. Three of their writers pick Oregon as the leading team for a Heisman winner. Two choose Adams, and a third picks Running Back Royce Freeman.

Adams has already said he wants to come in and lead the Oregon Ducks back to the National Title. Bucky Brooks from NFL.com and Bryan Fisher from College Football 24/7 believe his numbers in 2015 may do just that.

"Although Adams will need to take a crash course over the summer to master the nuances of the offense, he is a quick study with a high football IQ and a knack for diagnosing defenses on the fly. Given Oregon’s rapid pace, extraordinary skill players and creative plays, Adams could blow up the stat sheet as the director of college football’s most explosive offense.Bucky Brooks on Oregon Quarterback Vernon Adams as a Heisman Candidate."

Another name that could open eyes this upcoming season is Freeman, with Mariota gone, he could be looked at to carry the load early in the season as Adams gets his feet wet with a new Offense. Lance Zierlien from NFL.com says, “While quarterbacks are the headliners nowadays, it is the departure of Oregon’s quarterback, Marcus Mariota, that should open the door for more than 300 carries for the big sophomore who finished with 1,365 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns last season.” I would expect big things from both Adams and Freeman this season and these two athletes should be ones to watch.

If the Oregon Ducks are contenders in 2015 and Adams is able to show off his talents on the field we could have a two man Oregon race for the Heisman.

Oregon begins the 2015 season hosting Eastern Washington on Saturday, September 5th. Kickoff is set for 5pm Pacific Time on the Pac-12 Network.