Staff Writer
| The Heisman Trophy |
The
Heisman Trophy is, by far, the most sought-after distinction in all of college
sports. Awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football,
this year’s ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 14. A panel of voters,
consisting of journalists, former Heisman winners, and fans, are responsible for
deciding the winner. This year’s finalists for the Heisman are listed below in
descending order of where this writer thinks they will finish in the voting, as
well as an explanation for each ranking.
6.
AJ McCarron, QB, Alabama
McCarron
certainly knows how to win, losing just three games and winning two national
championships during his fantastic three year run at Alabama. However, the
quarterback lacks the kind of eye-popping stats that many of the other
finalists possess. The senior deserves to be on stage with the rest of the
contenders, but his chances of winning the Heisman are slim.
5.
Johnny Manziel, QB, Texas A&M
In
2012, “Johnny Football” became the first freshman ever to win the Heisman.
Manziel actually improved on his passing numbers in his sophomore season, but
his impact in Texas A&M’s running game was minimized, dropping from 1,410
yards and 21 touchdowns in 2012 to just 686 yards and eight touchdowns in 2013.
So while Manziel’s stats measure up to those of the other finalists, his team
went just 8-4 during the season, delivering a big blow to his Heisman stock.
4.
Andre Williams, RB, Boston College
Williams
had the most impressive statistical season of any college running back, but a
foot injury in his final game and his zero receptions on the season may keep
him from winning the Heisman. The bruising running back posted 2,102 yards and
17 touchdowns for Boston College, becoming just the sixteenth player in college
football history to surpass the 2,000 yard mark for a season.
3.
Jordan Lynch, QB, Northern Illinois
Lynch
put up jaw-dropping numbers at Northern Illinois this season, but the problem
lies in the fact that he plays for Northern Illinois. His unbelievable 4,557
total yards and 45 touchdowns came against opponents in the Mid-American
Conference, so his competition does not measure up to that of the other
finalists. Still, Lynch put up record breaking numbers during his senior year,
including 321 rushing yards in a game against Western Michigan, the most ever
by a quarterback in college football history, so he certainly deserves to be in
the top three.
2.
Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
Mason’s
red-hot finish to the season earned him a spot amongst the finalists, and it
may carry him all the way to a second-place finish in the Heisman voting. The
speedy running back actually had a relatively slow start to the season, but
finished with over 100 yards rushing in seven of Auburn’s final eight games to
finish with 1,621 yards and 22 touchdowns. His huge performances in big games
(he had a whopping 304 rushing yards in the Southeastern Conference title game
against Missouri) should be enough to catapult him into second place, but his
slow start to the season will likely keep him from winning it all.
1.
Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Winston
put up the finest season of any player in college football, and is almost
certain to become the second freshman to win the Heisman. The young quarterback
led Florida State to an improbable undefeated season behind his 3,820 yards, 42
total touchdowns, and a nation-leading 190.1 passer rating. He has the stats
and the record to bring home the trophy, and his remarkable poise, especially
for a freshman, should be the icing on the cake of his fantastic season.
