Heisman Trophy Hopefuls
Updated 11 November 2009
The college football season is starting to wind down so here is a look at the 2009 Heisman Trophy candidates.
The Heisman Trophy is supposed to be awarded to the best player in college football, but we all know it's a popularity contest. If you are from a small school and/or play a non glamorous position you have little chance of winning, so this year I am including a section for those players that won't win, but probably should.
1. Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
If the Heisman Trophy is going to continue to be legitimate then the best player in college football needs to be strongly considered. Suh has dominated every game this season and yes defensive tackle isn't the glamorous position, but it is one of the most important positions in football. Suh has been ultra productive this season recoding 52 tackles, 1 interception, 8 passes defended, 5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, 12 quarterback hurries and 3 blocked kicks.
2. QB Colt McCoy, Texas
McCoy started the 2009 season just as he finished it last year, consistent and excellent. The Longhorns are 9-0 and they have to play Baylor, Kansas and Texas A&M. So the 3rd ranked Longhorns should go undefeated and 1st ranked Florida and 2nd ranked Alabama have to play each other, so Texas should play one of those schools for the national championship. McCoy has thrown for 2,620 yards and 17 TDs and has completed an impressive 72.87 percent of his passes.
3. QB Case Keenum, Houston (JR)
I wouldn't have a problem with Keenum
winning the Heisman. He has been fantastic this year and leads the nation in almost every single passing category: #1 in the nation in passing yards with 3,815 yards and touchdowns with 28. He has also completed 71% of his passes and has his Cougars at a very respectable 8-1.
4. RB C.J. Spiller, Clemson
A human highlight film, Spiller is one of the fastest, most elusive runners in college football. He (Spiller) has dramatically affected games in so many ways this year. Ranked #4 in the nation in all purpose yards with 739 rushing yards, 334 receiving, 191 on punt returns and 530 yards on kick off returns. He has scored touchdowns in almost every conceivable way, 3 touchdowns receiving, 3 on kick returns, 1 on a punt return and 5 TDs rushing.
4. RB Ryan Mathews, Fresno State (JR)
Mathews is the nations leading rusher with 1,459 yards and 14 TDs. He is averaging an amazing 162.11 yards per game. If you haven't seen Mathews run the football this year you are really missing something, at 5' 11" 220 pounds, he is strong, fast and elusive. He reminds me of last years leading rusher Donald Brown, who was drafted in the first round (#27) of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
5. QB Keelen Moore, Boise State (Sophomore)
Being only a sophomore might hurt him a little, but Moore has Boise State undefeated at 9-0 and he has thrown for an amazing 27 touchdowns. Moore leads the nation in pass efficiency with a 169.35 quarterback rating and his 2,259 passing yards are nothing to sneeze at. Only a sophomore but he has already thrown 52 career touchdown passes! It will take a miracle for Boise State to play in the national Championship, but anything is possible.
1. LB Von Miller, Texas A&M
2.
LB Greg Jones, Michigan State
3. WR Jordan Shipley, Texas
4. WR Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green
5. QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame (JR)
7. QB Jake Locker, Washington (JR)
8. WR Golden Tate, Notre Dame (JR)
9. RB Toby Gerhart, Stanford
10. *RB Joique Bell, Wayne State (Division II)
*Not eligible (Division II) for the Heisman, but should be.
