Heisman Watch 2016: Week 4 Power Rankings & Top Contenders

Thanks to Louisville's Lamar Jackson, the 2016 Heisman Trophy picture is beginning to clear up. That picture, of course, is always a fluid one, but if the season were to end today, it would be Jackson, a large gap, and then everyone else. He's been that good. That being said, it's a long season and things will certainly change in the upcoming weeks, especially with conference play beginning to heat up. While Jackson has established a healthy lead in the (very early) Heisman race, there are a handful of other candidates who have what it takes to quickly close the gap should he hit any kind of a speed-bump. With that in mind, you can click through the gallery for a look at my top Heisman candidates after Week 4 action. Note that while some Heisman lists are strictly based on performance to date, and others are more predictive of what's to come, this is somewhat a mix of both but more closely focused on the latter. (Getty)

5. Jabrill Peppers, LB/S, Michigan

Week 4: 5 tackles, 54 return yards

Season Stats: 33 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 308 total return yards, 1 TD, 24 rushing yards (12.0 YPC) (defensive stats can vary; courtesy of CFBStats.com)

Overview: Peppers faces the disadvantage of being a defensive player (the last winner from that side of the ball, of course, was fellow Wolverine Charles Woodson in 1997), so it's difficult to imagine him ultimately winning the award. But he deserves mention due to his versatility and ability to affect so many different aspects of the game. (Getty)

4. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson

Week 4: 32-of-48 (66.7 pct), 304 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 129.5 rating, 36 rushing yards (3.0 YPC)

Season Stats: 90-of-150 (60.0 pct), 996 yards, 9 TD, 4 INT, 130.2 rating, 120 rushing yards (3.4 YPC)

Overview: Entering the season as the Heisman favorite of many pundits, Watson hasn't been bad, but he also hasn't been quite as dominant as he was last year. Most notably, he's completing a smaller percentage of his passes (60.0 vs. 67.8) and not doing nearly as much damage on the ground (30.0 yards per game, 3.4 yards per attempt and 0 touchdowns vs. 73.7, 5.3 and 12). Of course, a looming matchup against Lamar Jackson and Louisville (October 1) has the potential to change all of that if Watson outshines to current Heisman favorite at Memorial Stadium. (Getty)

3. J.T. Barrett, QB, Ohio State

Week 4: BYE

Season Stats: 49-of-73 (67.1 pct), 650 yards (8.9 YPA), 10 TD, 1 INT, 184.4 rating, 159 rushing yards (4.1 YPC), 3 TD

Overview: Barrett had a quiet second game after his 379-yard, 7-touchdown opener against Bowling Green, but be bounced back in a big way last week against Oklahoma, tallying 226 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Buckeyes to a 21-point win on the road. 13 touchdowns through three games and a road win of that magnitude would normally be good enough for No. 1, but the impact of those numbers has been blunted by Jackson. Still, it's a highly impressive start from the man who finished fifth in voting in 2014. (Getty)

2. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

Week 4: (22-13 W at UCLA) 26 carries, 138 yards (5.3 YPC), 2 receptions, 13 yards, 14 return yards

Season Stats: 78 carries, 429 yards (5.5 YPC), 3 TD, 13 receptions, 126 receiving yards, 1 TD, 80 return yards

Overview: While McCaffrey's numbers may not jump out--especially after what he did last year--it's important to note he has played just thre games. That's puts him at 211.7 yards from scrimmage per contest, and that's despite a 96-yard punt return TD being called back in Week 1. The fact he hasn't played any cupcakes--Kansas State, USC and UCLA--also helps. (Getty)

1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Week 4: (59-28 W at Marshall) 24-of-44 (54.5 pct), 417 yards (9.5 YPA), 5 TD, 1 INT, 167.1 rating, 62 rushing yards (5.2 YPC), 2 TD

Season Stats: 74-of-126 (58.7 pct), 1330 yards (10.6 YPA), 13 TD, 3 INT, 176.7 rating, 526 rushing yards (8.6 YPC), 12 rushing TD

Overview: Lamar Jackson is very important. He has many leather-bound books and his apartment smells of rich mahogany. The scintillating sophomore has lit the college football world afire, tallying over 1,800 total yards and 25 touchdowns through four games despite sitting out more than three quarters of action, as blowouts--including a 43-point drubbing of then No. 2 Florida State--have cut most of days short. He's simply on another level right now. (Getty)