The Heisman Trophy finalists will be announced tonight, December 7, and the race is wide open.

Early on, LSU's Leonard Fournette had the award in the bag, but after three straight LSU losses and a disappearance in a head-to-head matchup against another elite Heisman hopeful, he waned and faded. He may still be in New York as a finalist, but not as the frontrunner he once was.

So who, if not Fournette, will be hoisting the trophy on December 12? Let's go through some of the players that will be invited to New York.

SEC Championship - Alabama v Florida
Mike Zarrilli, Getty Images
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1. Derrick Henry - RB, Alabama

Henry is a man-child that ran through the SEC like it was the WAC.

With his 1,986 yards, he broke Herschel Walker's SEC record for rush yards in a season. He rushed for over 100 yards nine times in 2015 and averaged 5.9 yards a carry.

Key Game: Vs. Auburn, 46 carries for 271 yards and a TD.

Pac-12 Championship
Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images
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2. Christian McCaffrey - RB, Stanford

McCaffery has been against the odds all season when Stanford was all but written off after a week 1 loss to Northwestern. But McCaffrey refused to let Stanford die and willed them to a Pac-12 championship, breaking Barry Sanders all-purpose yards record in the process with 3,276 all purpose yards.

In the Pac-12 championship, McCaffrey scored on a rushing TD, a receiving TD and a passing TD. The definition of a do-it-all back.

Key Game: Vs. UCLA, 25 carries for 243 yards and four touchdowns.

Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
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3. Deshaun Watson - QB, Clemson

The sophomore QB did not have better stats than all the QBs in the NCAA, but he plays for the No. 1 ranked Clemson Tigers so that makes him available for the award.

That's not to discount his season. He is a huge reason Clemson is in the CFP. I do think, however, Watson's on a lower tier than the two running backs I just mentioned.

Key Game: Vs North Carolina (ACC Championship), 26-42, 289 yards passing, 24 carries for 131 yards rushing, five total TDs.

Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images
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4. Baker Mayfield - QB, Oklahoma

Much has been written about Baker Mayfield this year. The fact is he is living his dream. He always wanted to win a National Championship with OU. Good for him. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience a fulfilled dream.

I'm sure he's also dreamed about winning a Heisman Trophy, but he won't do that this year. He should be a finalist, though.

With basically all the same weapons that the previous starter had, Mayfield transformed the OU offense into a powerhouse. The half of football he missed might have been the most telling half of the season for the incredible job he's done. I also predict the 2016 Heisman winner is in Norman, but it isn't Baker.

Key Game: Vs. Baylor (thought to be the de facto Big 12 Title game at the time), 24-34, 270 yards, 76 yards rushing, four total TDs.

Dalvin Cook, Ezekial Elliot and Fournette have all been discussed for the Heisman as finalists. Keenan Reynolds of Navy is also a viable candidate. This is my list though, so for the 5th spot in my top 5, I'm going to put in a Tech guy. It's my list; I do what I want.

Kansas State v Texas Tech
Getty Images - John Weast
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DeAndre Washington - RB, Texas Tech

I'll open this blurb out with a sentence I thought I would never say when Kliff came to town. Texas Tech was home to the leading rusher in the Big 12. It's true. With over 1,400 yards and 14 TDs, Deandre Washington was the best RB in the Big 12 and hopefully played his way into the draft.

Key Game: Vs. Kansas State (bowl eligibility hanging in the wind), 27 carries for 248 yards and three TDs.

Who do YOU think will win the Heisman Trophy this year? Let us know in the poll below.

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