Heisman Trophy finalists: Henry, Watson, McCaffrey
The trophy will be handed out on…December 12th.
The announcement came Monday evening.
Meanwhile the three finalists are Alabama’s Derrick Henry, Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey.
This years Heisman trophy race has no clear favorite and the three finalists all have compelling reasons for why each of them should win the Heisman. He may still be in NY as a finalist, but not as the frontrunner he once was. That’s ahead of Walker’s Heisman-winning junior year but behind the 385 carries he had a sophomore.
Watson accomplished the feat in his first full season as a starter and on that surgically repaired knee. “That inspired me to work hard on my rehab”.
The 6-2, 210-pounder was named the ACC Player of the Year as No. 1 Clemson – the nation’s only undefeated team – recorded its best season since 1981. Alabama is 12-1 this season and earned the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoff. In 2013, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston clearly emerged as the best player in college football (on the best team) over the course of the season.
Henry has four 200-yard rushing games and has played his best against the toughest competition, gaining 1,155 yards and 15 touchdowns against top 50 nationally ranked rush defenses with an average of 5.37 yards per carry and 165 yards per game.
And it has been quite a year for Henry, who now owns single-season team records for rushing yards and touchdowns, as well as the SEC record for rushing yards, breaking Herschel Walker’s previous record of 1,891 yards. In fact, he is the first player to do it since 2012 (Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M).
An injury doomed the stud QBs Heisman chances.
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin finished fourth last season, but did not receive enough votes to make it to NY. “We have never been to New York”, Watson said.
McCaffrey Stanford star set NCAA record for all-purpose yards.
Watson himself said Sunday that he would be excited to get an invitation to the Heisman ceremony, but that he is not going to let it concern him if he does not receive the award.
“I am so happy for Deshaun Watson”. There was Elliott, LSU’s Leonard Fournette and Henry – a strong group of running backs with a real shot at taking the trophy.
By RALPH D. RUSSO AP College Football Writer The teams are set. He hit a November snag, starting with a 31-yard rushing outing against Alabama on Nov. 7 – a 30-16 loss that began the program’s first three-game losing skid since 1999. However, even after torching a stout Michigan D for 214 yards and two scores in a validation effort last week, the Michigan State game was so visible that it’ll be tough to overcome. Running the ball and throwing the ball he can beat you any you want to give him an opportunity to beat you. I do think, however, Watson’s on a lower tier than the two running backs I just mentioned.
McCaffrey, a sophomore, gained more national attention the second half of the season. “Lightning robbed him. I would have to say he would have had a good night that night”. Plus, he’s a slight favorite to be the highest ranked quarterback ahead of Mayfield, especially since he had the luxury of one final game on the most important weekend for voters.