Heisman hopeful Watson is a cool cat under fire

Stanford’s had just one previous Heisman victor, quarterback Jim Plunkett in 1970, but there was nearly a second three times in recent years, as running back Toby Gerhart finished second (by just 28 points) to Alabama running back Mark Ingram in 2009, and quarterback Andrew Luck was second in 2010 to Auburn QB Cam Newton and runner-up to Baylor QB Robert Griffin III in 2011.

Fournette – the overwhelming favorite to win the Heisman Trophy through October – shared his assessment of Henry and Watson as well as what he has heard about McCaffrey Wednesday night in Atlanta prior to Thursday’s College Football Awards show.

He has run for 11 touchdowns and an average of 209 yards in No. 2 Alabama’s last six games against FBS teams. However, McCaffrey could suffer from the same anti-running back bias that Henry faces. Defenses have constantly been shredded as Henry has rushed for 1,986 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Henry was the definition of a “workhorse” back this season as he, at times single-handedly, carried the Crimson Tide offense, and ultimately the team to a 12-1 record and a spot in the playoff.

Henry, Watson and McCaffrey are the three Heisman Trophy finalists.

Fournette met Henry during an official visit to Alabama when he was in high school. “The offensive line, the quarterback, wide receivers and tight ends have done an unbelievable job all season and our coaches always put us in a position to be successful”. Watson has racked up 30 throwing touchdowns and 3,512 passing yards. His 69.5 percent completion percentage ranks third-best nationally. He has scored 13 touchdowns and thrown two TD passes.

McCaffery did have more 100-yard games than Henry, notching 10, and strung together more with nine straight during the final stretch of the season.

Oh, and did I mention he returns kicks? In that game, against a very good Tar Heels defense, he passed for nearly 300 yards with 3 TDs and added 131 rushing yards and two more scores.

Thankfully for LSU, Fournette’s got at least one more season in Baton Rouge, La.