I wouldn't even have McCaffrey in my top 3. Very good player, but his stats are a complete fraud. And he's not even one of the 3 most talented RUNNING BACKS this year.
1. Henry
2. Watson
3. Mayfield
McCaffrey's fraudulent APY record is primarily due to a bunch of 20-30 yard returns that anybody can do. I'll give him due credit for when he breaks one for 30+ yards but when a huge chunk of your yardage is practically worthless that does nothing for me.
I know there are a lot of soft defenses in the PAC-12...that being said, even if you take out the return yards, his stats are Heisman-finalist worthy. 1,847 rushing yards on 5.8 per carry. Also led the team in receptions (41) and yards (540). I think any RB on a top-6 team would get invited with those numbers.
Their leading rusher last year had 601 yards. Taylor before that obviously had crazy high rushing numbers. I know they pound the ball, but I don't think they're at the Wisconsin level where voters would discount his stats due to their system. Throw in the fact that he also threw for 2 touchdowns and had a return TD and he is an easy finalist IMO.
What's your argument for Mayfield also? I like him, but I can't even tell who is great in that conference and who is putting up numbers based on the terrible defenses. IMO the only difference between Mayfield and Boykin is that Mayfield had a competent defense. Russell and Rudolph in that conference were putting up similar numbers. Mayfield was a step above, but that conference is built for QBs and WRs to put up video game numbers.
