LSU's Leonard Fournette takes over as 2016 Heisman Trophy favorite

New Heisman Trophy odds at Bovada have LSU's star running back listed just ahead of 2015 finalist Deshaun Watson

By Chip Patterson

Jun 30, 2016 at 7:19 pm ET • 1 min read

Odds changing in late June don't alter our expectations for the 2016 college football season, but when Deshaun Watson, a 2015 Heisman Trophy finalist, is replaced at the top of the Heisman Trophy board, it's worth taking notice.

Clemson's star quarterback, who was also recently named the ACC Male Athlete of the Year, now sits behind LSU running back Leonard Fournette over at Bovada. Fournette, UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen (16/1) and Alabama running back Bo Scarbrough (20/1) were the only players at 25/1 or better to see their odds improve since Bovada's last release. Of those three, Fournette is the most likely to win but Rosen is the dark horse with some real value.

Rosen has a unique opportunity to steal the Heisman spotlight early with UCLA's season opener at Texas A&M, a game that will be broadcast nationally by CBS. The Bruins will be unveiling a new offense, led by promoted offensive coordinator Kennedy Polamalu and new quarterbacks coach Marques Tuiasosopo. Should that first impression includes a big day for Rosen, you will see the Heisman hype build for the talented sophomore.

Of course, winning the Heisman will require equally impressive early-season performances agains the likes of BYU and Stanford. In handicapping Rosen's Heisman chances, UCLA's September schedule both helps and hurts the argument for him winning the stiff-arm trophy in December.

Fournette has been one of the most vicious runners in college football since his debut and after seeing his side-eye emoji reaction to a Heisman snub last year, we're all expecting a vengeful campaign in 2016. If he can stay healthy and LSU contends for the SEC West title, he'll have as strong an argument as anyone in the country.

Check out the new Heisman Odds below, via Bovada:

Leonard Fournette, LSU RB: 9/2

Deshaun Watson, Clemson QB: 5/1

Christian McCaffrey, Stanford RB: 11/2

JT Barrett, Ohio State QB: 12/1

Dalvin Cook, Florida State RB: 12/1

Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma QB: 12/1

Nick Chubb, Georgia RB: 16/1

Chad Kelly, Ole Miss QB: 16/1

Josh Rosen, UCLA QB: 16/1

Royce Freeman, Oregon RB: 20/1

Bo Scarbrough, Alabama RB: 20/1