Big Ten Football: Top 10 Heisman candidates

Sep 6, 2014; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Leonte Carroo (4) avoids a tackle from Howard Bison safety Julien David (24) during the second half at High Points Solutions Stadium. Rutgers defeated Howard 38-25. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Remember last year when Leonte Carroo was talking trash before the Michigan State game and the Spartans’ secondary held the Rutgers‘ wide out to just one catch for six yards, a season low in both categories?

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Yeah, well that same guy is one of the top receivers in the conference, despite his poor performance against the Spartans.

Carroo was so solid last season that he was probably the Big Ten’s second-best receiver in terms of consistency and quality of numbers. He caught 55 passes for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2014.

Although he won’t have Rutgers’ all-time great Gary Nova passing him the ball anymore, he still has a chance to do some damage by being the only wide out capable of bailing the new quarterback out of trouble.

Leonte is the best returning receiver in the conference, but he’s only No. 9 on this list because I give him a very slim chance to be on a team even worthy of having a Heisman candidate. Rutgers will be lucky to win seven games this year and no player has ever won the Heisman on a mediocre squad.

This will probably be the year he breaks 60 catches and 1,200 yards, though, cementing himself as an early-to-mid round draft pick.

Next: 8. Braxton Miller, WR