After a phenomenal postseason performance in 2014, Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott enters the upcoming college football season with high expectations of greatness. Elliott broke onto the national scene as he rushed for a staggering 696 yards and eight touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ three postseason games; earning MVP honors in both the Sugar Bowl and the national title game. After a freshman season in which he only carried the ball 30 times for 262 total yards and two touchdowns, Elliott’s meteoric rise has elevated him to the highest levels of college football. Elliott is widely considered to be the best running back in the country, and could be the best offensive player overall. Elliott has the second-best odds to win the Heisman at 7/1, trailing only TCU QB Trevone Boykin (currently listed at 6/1). Most recently Elliott was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list, an award presented annually to the best running back in college football. Named after famed SMU RB Doak Walker, the award honors more than just athletic talent as recipients must be in good academic standing and on pace to graduate within one year of their grade classification. pic.twitter.com/94oPHXWcjG — Urban Meyer (@OSUCoachMeyer) July 16, 2015 Elliott was also placed on the watch list for the prestigious Maxwell award, which is given to the best overall player in college football. Elliott joins all three Buckeye QBs on the list, and many feel he has the best chance to steal the award away from another quarterback. Similar to the Heisman (which has gone to a QB the last five years) the Maxwell award is often given to the man under center, as only two non-QBs have claimed the award since 2000. Elliott’s 1,878 rushing yards in 2014 is second in school history to Eddie George’s 1,927 yards in 1995, the year he won the Heisman…
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