Big Ten Football: Top 10 Heisman candidates

Nov 29, 2014; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) scores against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Just ahead of Hackenberg is sophomore quarterback J.T. Barrett who helped the Buckeyes reach the Big Ten title game before suffering an injury that kept him out of the conference championship and the College Football Playoff.

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While Barrett hasn’t been named the starter just yet, as he’s still battling with strong-armed Cardale Jones, but, in my opinion, he’s going to be named the starter.

In 12 starts during his freshman season, Barrett passed for 2,834 yards, 34 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while rushing for another 938 yards and 11 scores. He was the ultimate dual-threat in the Big Ten and people seem to forget just how good he was before Jones took over for the last three games of the year.

Even if Barrett doesn’t begin the year as the starter, he will end the season as the starter, in my opinion.

Another impressive stat that took the Big Ten by surprise was his 65 percent completion rate — something very rare for a first-year starter, let alone a freshman.

Keep an eye on Barrett this season as he will, once again, be the most electric quarterback in the Big Ten and push for the second Heisman Trophy for a Buckeye in the past 10 years.

Next: 2. Connor Cook, Michigan State