Written by Sherlenia Mitchell
New York City – Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey and Deshaun Watson are in attendance as this year’s impressive finalists for the Heisman Trophy Presentation in New York City on Saturday.
Henry enters the race as the season favorite and No. 1 nationally ranked running back with 339 carries for 1,986 yards, 152.8 yards per game, 23 touchdowns as well as 10 receptions for 97 yards. The junior from Yulee, FL, has the potential to be the first player to take the title from the quarterback position since fellow Ala. running back Mark Ingram received the award in 2009.
Henry has been a notable contender since early this season and capped his nomination bid during the Iron Bowl as he secured a win for his team with his 46th carry of the game that resulted in a 25-yard touchdown culminating into a 271-yard game.
"Everyone makes a big deal about all these carries,” said Henry on Friday. “It’s rare but I want the ball and I want to make plays, and I told Coach I wanted the ball so I can make plays and when you have someone that’s elite on a team that’s what you should expect. We make plays and win.”
McCaffrey enters the Heisman weekend with a record breaking season where the Castle Rock, Colo, native rushed for 1,847 yards off 319 carries, eight rushing touchdowns, 41 receptions for 540 yards, four receiving touchdowns in addition to 1,042 kick-return yards averaging 28.9 yards a return.
Consequently, the Stanford sophomore McCaffrey broke legendary Barry Sanders’ single-season record and is now the NCAA record holder in all-purpose yards with 3,496 yards this season.
Stanford head coach David Shaw commented on McCaffrey’s year asserting, “This is a historic year. He did something that no one has ever done and has done it better than everyone who has ever won a Heisman. It’s phenomenal.”
Watson rounds out the Heisman competition as the sophomore quarterback of undefeated No. 1 nationally ranked Clemson with 287-for-413 passing for 3,5121 yards with 11 interceptions, 30 touchdowns as well as 163 carries for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Although the award’s namesake coached the Tigers to their first undefeated season in 1900, the Gainesville, Ga, native is the first Clemson Heisman finalist in the school’s history. Watson looks to continue the streak of quarterback Heisman winners by becoming the sixth QB awarded the trophy.
Win or lose, this weekend already holds a special place in Watson’s life. “Tomorrow [Saturday] will be the one year anniversary since my ACL surgery. If I wouldn’t have had that, I probably wouldn’t be in this seat now.”
Henry, McCaffrey and Watson will find their fate Saturday at the Best Buy Theater in New York City, where the winner of the 2015 Heisman Trophy will be presented. Television coverage for the event starts at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Henry enters the race as the season favorite and No. 1 nationally ranked running back with 339 carries for 1,986 yards, 152.8 yards per game, 23 touchdowns as well as 10 receptions for 97 yards. The junior from Yulee, FL, has the potential to be the first player to take the title from the quarterback position since fellow Ala. running back Mark Ingram received the award in 2009.
Henry has been a notable contender since early this season and capped his nomination bid during the Iron Bowl as he secured a win for his team with his 46th carry of the game that resulted in a 25-yard touchdown culminating into a 271-yard game.
"Everyone makes a big deal about all these carries,” said Henry on Friday. “It’s rare but I want the ball and I want to make plays, and I told Coach I wanted the ball so I can make plays and when you have someone that’s elite on a team that’s what you should expect. We make plays and win.”
McCaffrey enters the Heisman weekend with a record breaking season where the Castle Rock, Colo, native rushed for 1,847 yards off 319 carries, eight rushing touchdowns, 41 receptions for 540 yards, four receiving touchdowns in addition to 1,042 kick-return yards averaging 28.9 yards a return.
Consequently, the Stanford sophomore McCaffrey broke legendary Barry Sanders’ single-season record and is now the NCAA record holder in all-purpose yards with 3,496 yards this season.
Stanford head coach David Shaw commented on McCaffrey’s year asserting, “This is a historic year. He did something that no one has ever done and has done it better than everyone who has ever won a Heisman. It’s phenomenal.”
Watson rounds out the Heisman competition as the sophomore quarterback of undefeated No. 1 nationally ranked Clemson with 287-for-413 passing for 3,5121 yards with 11 interceptions, 30 touchdowns as well as 163 carries for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Although the award’s namesake coached the Tigers to their first undefeated season in 1900, the Gainesville, Ga, native is the first Clemson Heisman finalist in the school’s history. Watson looks to continue the streak of quarterback Heisman winners by becoming the sixth QB awarded the trophy.
Win or lose, this weekend already holds a special place in Watson’s life. “Tomorrow [Saturday] will be the one year anniversary since my ACL surgery. If I wouldn’t have had that, I probably wouldn’t be in this seat now.”
Henry, McCaffrey and Watson will find their fate Saturday at the Best Buy Theater in New York City, where the winner of the 2015 Heisman Trophy will be presented. Television coverage for the event starts at 8 p.m. EST on ESPN.