FSU Football: Deondre Francois Listed Among Early Heisman Leaders

FSU football quarterback Deondre Francois had himself quite the first year as a starter – now he’s getting very early love for the top individual award.

Heading into the 2016 season, many FSU football fans didn’t know what to expect from Deondre Francois when he was named the starting quarterback. While it was known he had talent from his high school days, some wondered how he would hang with the big boys of major college football.

After a 400+ yard performance in the opener against Ole Miss, countless times he came back into games after being knocked around like a rag doll, wins over Miami and Florida and an Orange Bowl victory, it’s safe to say that all the questions have been answered about what D12 can do and if he was ready for the spotlight.

Now, Francois won’t be surprising many people in his second season as the starter for FSU football. In fact, after just 13 games under center, D12 is finding himself on early watch list for some top awards – including the Hesiman Trophy.

The latest odds from Bovada Sportsbook in Las Vegas continue to list the rising redshirt sophomore as one of the favorites to bring home the top individual honor in college football, tying him for having the sixth best odds at this point:

One of the advantages playing in Francois’ favor is thee fact that FSU football will be in the spotlight for much of the 2017 season on a consistent basis. After opening with Alabama and their two Heisman hopefuls, the Seminoles host rival Miami two weeks later and will face the defending Hesiman winner, Louisville’s Lamar Jackson, in the third week of October.

If Francois can continue to improve off of last season – 3350 yards to go along with 20 touchdowns and seven interceptions – there is no doubt that he will have quite the argument based on the 2017 schedule for being invited to New York this December. Of course, legendary FSU running back Dalvin Cook got screwed out of two trips, so you can’t guarantee anything.