ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Ian Book #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks to pass in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

After a successful 2018 Notre Dame football season, does Ian Book have a realistic chance as a Heisman candidate?

A season ago, Ian Book was more of an afterthought. He may have led Notre Dame football to a bowl victory over LSU in comeback fashion, but all eyes were on Brandon Wimbush to start the 2018 season.

A lackluster star to Wimbush’s 2018 campaign gave Book the chance he needed and the quarterback never really looked back.

Leading Notre Dame to its College Football Playoff with an undefeated regular season, the attention has now turned to what Book can do in his second season as a starter.

Many are already writing off the idea of a slump in 2019. Most recently Chip Patterson said on CBSsports that Book is an “under the radar Heisman player”.

Heading into the season, there’s no doubt that Tua Tagovailoa and Trevor Lawrence will top off the early Heisman Trophy odds. That said, Book’s name will be thrown around in the mix for a while.

How realistic is it that Book’s name will become more prominent in the race come December? Well, the quarterback has all the tools he needs to force him deeper into the conversation.

Book has already proven that he’s a consistent passer. After hitting 68-percent of this throws a season ago with only seven interceptions, the nation should be watching an even more confident quarterback in 2019.

The Irish are poised to have one of the best offenses they’ve had in years. Things are clicking heading into the third year of Chip Long’s system.

With Chase Claypool, Chris Finke and Michael Young all back, there should be even more chemistry built and even a higher level of comfort with Book and his receivers.

Cole Kmet and Brock Wright also bring in the same level of comfort as players who have been developed under Long. They’ll be solid targets for Book to look for at the tight end position.

If Ian Book is going to be able to solidify his name in the Heisman race, his resume would need to be impressive while doing so. The road will not be friendly for the Irish in 2019, with the Georgia, Michigan and Stanford games all on the road this season.

Carrying Heisman level numbers and performances against these teams on the road would be deserving of a great amount of respect.

It takes much more than one player to make this happen, but the pieces are in place for Book to keep his name in the Heisman conversation come this December.