Big Ten Football: Top 10 Heisman candidates

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Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) scores on a 33-yard touchdown run in the first quarter against the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Ohio State defeated Oregon 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If you watched the College Football Playoff last season, you know the name Ezekiel Elliott. In the Big Ten title game and two playoff contests, the Buckeyes’ running back racked up 696 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 9.2 yards per carry.

Must Read: MSU Football: Dissecting the 2015 depth chart

As one of the most electrifying and exciting players in college football, if not the most, Elliott might just be the front-runner in the nation.

Elliott rushed for 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns on 6.9 yards per carry last season as a sophomore and really just burst onto the scene as the best running back in the Big Ten just one season after Carlos Hyde left the starting position open for him.

It took until the fourth game of the season for the young running back to really break out as he didn’t rush for over 65 yards until week four and he then ended up with nine 100-yard performances in 12 games.

Not only is he a quality runner, he uses his hands effectively as well. Elliott caught 28 passes for 220 yards last season and is still waiting to record his first receiving touchdown — you can bet he will get that this season.

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