Ranking top five Heisman favorites for Penn State

It is no secret that Penn State may just have the most loaded roster in all of college football. Returning most of your starters from last year will do the trick. Therefore, it feels as if the Nittany Lions will definitely have a bunch of players in the mix for the most prestigious award in college football: the Heisman trophy. Should the season go as planned, they may even have a Heisman winner amongst their ranks. Here are the top five most likely Heisman favorites on the Nittany Lions roster.

5. Trebor Pena

This was the hardest guy to rank as there are two things against the Syracuse transfer. One is that he is transferring into the hardest conference in college football on a team with perhaps the highest standards in the sport right now. Two is that he is not even the best receiver in the conference. That honor goes to Jeremiah Smith of Ohio State. Needless to say, the cards are stacked against Pena in this situation. Nevertheless, pairing up with an elite QB tasked with being the most prolific receiver in recent Penn State history vaults you into the conversation. It's up to Pena whether or not he seizes the opportunity and is worthy of this ranking.

4. Kaytron Allen

The more explosive running back in Penn State's astonishing backfield, Allen is an interesting case. On one hand, he has the ability with his breakaway speed and power to create Heisman moments left and right. On the other hand, in a very nuanced tandem with Nicholas Singleton, will he be able to have as many magic moments required to be in the conversation? Add in a transfer receiving corps meant to reinvigorate the offense and chances are Allen won't get the same opportunities as he did last year to make much noise. While he can certainly prove people wrong, it will have to take a monstrous effort.

3. Nicholas Singleton

Nicholas Singleton is slightly higher than his running mate not because of his steadfast reliability and higher snap share. It is his versatility lining up out of the backfield that makes him a bona fide Heisman threat. Allen may have more plays that are highlight-reel worthy, but Singleton offers Penn State much more than just physicality and closing speed. Out of the backfield, Singleton is one of the most dangerous pass-catching backs in the red zone for the Nittany Lions. Most importantly, he will get the higher percentage of snaps due to his all-around gifts. Look for Singleton to not only get people talking about him in the Heisman race..but also as a Penn State legend if he sustains his steady level of play. Sometimes, it's better to be resourceful than flashy and Singleton is the yin to Allen's yang.

2. Drew Allar

While it may shock some to see Allar not be the No. 1 option on this list, the debate surrounding the senior QB stems from his inability to perform on the biggest stages when the lights shine brighter than ever. While he was the Big Ten passing leader last year, he put up three straight goose egg performances in Penn State's three biggest games, including a brain fart of an interception against Notre Dame in the CFP semifinal. Drew Allar's talents are undeniable, and with a new supporting cast of receivers around him, he has the chance to elevate his game to new heights. It won't matter if those skills don't show up when they need to though. Allar must go all in this season to guarantee his Heisman contender status.

1. Dani Dennis-Sutton

I know that it feels weird to put an edge rusher atop these rankings. But Dani Dennis-Sutton is unlike any edge rusher in college football. Without Abdul Carter by his side, Dennis-Sutton has a unique opportunity to wreak havoc in opposing backfields unlike any edge rusher we've ever seen. If the only barrier to his contention is that he plays on the wrong side of the ball, so be it. Based on his traits, his skill level and the stats to back up, he should be in the debate whether college football fans like it or not.

This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Ranking top five Heisman favorites