Written by Erik Slaby
Saturday, in New York City, one of the most, if not the most, prestigious college football award will be awarded to the best player in college football this season. That award is the Heisman Trophy. There are five candidates for this award and all of them have had fantastic seasons and are each are very impressive in their own right.
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson has been the favorite for the Heisman since the beginning of the year when he accounted for 18 touchdowns, 10 passing and eight rushing, against UNC-Charlotte, Syracuse and at the time, 2nd ranked Florida State. It was after the Florida State game that the college football world took greater notice of him and his amazing abilities.
Jackson is the second player in FBS history to pass for over 3,000 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in the same season since 2012, when Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch accomplished this feat. Jackson finished the season with 3,390 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 1,538 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. While he is the favorite, turnovers have plagued him all year and after a couple turnover-filled games, other players have been able to narrow the gap.
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is probably the player that has the best chance of winning the Heisman over Jackson. He led Clemson to a 12-1 record this season, ranking 2nd in the nation and a return to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they will take on 3rd ranked Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl to determine who will play in the National Championship game.
Watson has been the driving force for Clemson this season as he has led their 7th ranked passing attack. He finished the year with 3,914 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. He also rushed for over 500 yards and six touchdowns this season. Like Jackson, he has been troubled by turnovers this season as he has thrown for a career-high 15 interceptions. This could hinder his chances of winning the Heisman.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield has had a great season. He led Oklahoma to a Big 12 Championship, a 10-2 record, 7th overall ranking and a berth against 17th ranked Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. He finished the year with 3,669 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and has completed 71.2 percent of his passes. Unlike Jackson and Watson, he hasn’t struggled with turnovers this season, so this may increase his chances of winning the award.
What hurts him though is early season losses against at the time, 15th ranked Houston and 2nd ranked Ohio State, by double-digit scores. Both losses made it difficult for Oklahoma to get back in the College Football Playoff conversation. Even though they won the Big 12 conference, these two losses kept them from reaching the playoff.
Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers is trying to become the first player since fellow Michigan player Charles Woodson, to win the Heisman as a primarily defensive player. He’s been one of the best players all season for Michigan and one of the key factors for their 2nd overall ranking in total defense. He has 71 tackles this season, 15 of them being for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He also has an interception.
Due to his athleticism, Michigan used him in variety of ways. He’s seen time on punt returns and kick returns and has combined for 570 return yards and one touchdown. He’s also been used as a running back and has rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns. His chances of winning the Heisman are slim, mainly because it’s typically given out to an offensive player and there are at least two of his fellow candidates that may have had more impressive seasons.
Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook has also had a great season. He finished the year with 74 receptions for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also set in Oklahoma record in receiving yards in a game with 232. As a result of his performance this season, he was awarded the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is awarded to this most outstanding receiver in college football. Out of all of the Heisman candidates, he probably has the slimmest chance of receiving the award but it is possible.
In the end, no matter who wins the Heisman award, the player would deserve it as they all have had impressive and in some cases, record-breaking seasons. The Heisman Trophy presentation will air this evening, December 10th, at 8 P.M EST and will be broadcast by ESPN.
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson has been the favorite for the Heisman since the beginning of the year when he accounted for 18 touchdowns, 10 passing and eight rushing, against UNC-Charlotte, Syracuse and at the time, 2nd ranked Florida State. It was after the Florida State game that the college football world took greater notice of him and his amazing abilities.
Jackson is the second player in FBS history to pass for over 3,000 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in the same season since 2012, when Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch accomplished this feat. Jackson finished the season with 3,390 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns, 1,538 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns. While he is the favorite, turnovers have plagued him all year and after a couple turnover-filled games, other players have been able to narrow the gap.
Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is probably the player that has the best chance of winning the Heisman over Jackson. He led Clemson to a 12-1 record this season, ranking 2nd in the nation and a return to the College Football Playoff semifinals, where they will take on 3rd ranked Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl to determine who will play in the National Championship game.
Watson has been the driving force for Clemson this season as he has led their 7th ranked passing attack. He finished the year with 3,914 passing yards and 37 touchdowns. He also rushed for over 500 yards and six touchdowns this season. Like Jackson, he has been troubled by turnovers this season as he has thrown for a career-high 15 interceptions. This could hinder his chances of winning the Heisman.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield has had a great season. He led Oklahoma to a Big 12 Championship, a 10-2 record, 7th overall ranking and a berth against 17th ranked Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. He finished the year with 3,669 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and has completed 71.2 percent of his passes. Unlike Jackson and Watson, he hasn’t struggled with turnovers this season, so this may increase his chances of winning the award.
What hurts him though is early season losses against at the time, 15th ranked Houston and 2nd ranked Ohio State, by double-digit scores. Both losses made it difficult for Oklahoma to get back in the College Football Playoff conversation. Even though they won the Big 12 conference, these two losses kept them from reaching the playoff.
Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers is trying to become the first player since fellow Michigan player Charles Woodson, to win the Heisman as a primarily defensive player. He’s been one of the best players all season for Michigan and one of the key factors for their 2nd overall ranking in total defense. He has 71 tackles this season, 15 of them being for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He also has an interception.
Due to his athleticism, Michigan used him in variety of ways. He’s seen time on punt returns and kick returns and has combined for 570 return yards and one touchdown. He’s also been used as a running back and has rushed for 127 yards and three touchdowns. His chances of winning the Heisman are slim, mainly because it’s typically given out to an offensive player and there are at least two of his fellow candidates that may have had more impressive seasons.
Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook has also had a great season. He finished the year with 74 receptions for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also set in Oklahoma record in receiving yards in a game with 232. As a result of his performance this season, he was awarded the Fred Biletnikoff Award, which is awarded to this most outstanding receiver in college football. Out of all of the Heisman candidates, he probably has the slimmest chance of receiving the award but it is possible.
In the end, no matter who wins the Heisman award, the player would deserve it as they all have had impressive and in some cases, record-breaking seasons. The Heisman Trophy presentation will air this evening, December 10th, at 8 P.M EST and will be broadcast by ESPN.