Henry wins close race to win Heisman Trophy

NEW YORK | Derrick Henry was awarded the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night, capping a record-setting season for the University of Alabama running back and former Yulee High star.

Stanford’s do-it-all running back, Christian McCaffrey, was the runner-up to Henry. He received 1,832 points, 293 more than McCaffrey (1,539).

FILE – In this Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, file photo, Clemson’s Shaq Lawson (90) works against Appalachian State’s Davante Harris during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C. Lawson has been named to the AP All-America football team. Mark Ingram won the first back in 2009.

This season as a junior, with Alabama breaking in a first-time starting quarterback and inexperienced receivers, coach Nick Saban and the Tide made a decision to hook the offense to Henry. Henry has recorded four 200-plus yard performances this year, joining Walker (Georgia) and Jackson (Auburn) as the only backs in SEC history to record four in one season.

Henry broke the Southeastern Conference record with 1,986 yards rushing – previously held by 1982 Heisman victor Herschel Walker. This time around, everyone will be watching – the excuse that he plays for Stanford in the Pacific time zone won’t fly.

“We never pushed him into playing any sports”. Among the lessons he learned from his father was to do everything at 100 percent. “I’m so nervous”, the tailback said Saturday night as he accepted the 81st Heisman Trophy.

The Heisman trophy no longer goes to the most deserving player.

As for what message his mom had for him in defeat, Watson said she told him, “I’m still a victor and she told me that before we even got up here”. He reeled off 210 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries. “So “deserving” is a hard word”, Shaw said.

“I enjoyed my time [in New York]”, Watson said. “You can label me anything really, and I don’t really listen a whole lot to all that stuff”. You made me who I am today.

Not only is it relevant to acknowledge how McCaffrey can pick up yardage in a variety of ways and that he has successfully done so over the entirety of the season, but he has found success despite being Stanford’s only real option on offense. “We didn’t ask him to play football”, Ed McCaffrey said of Christian.

His first breakout performance came on October 15 against UCLA.

In the 118th Big Game against Cal, McCaffrey continued to break records. That’s getting ahead of the game, and there are other options to take away carries and stats – Sony Michel is no slouch – but the guy who averaged over eight yards per carry before suffering his knee injury, and tore off 1,547 yards and 14 scores as a freshman, is expected to be all back full.

Now he is a Heisman Trophy victor.

In just his second year with the Clemson Tigers, Watson was one of three finalists to receive an invite to NY, but he’ll have to wait another year to try to take home college football’s most prestigious award – and now he can turn his focus to getting his undefeated Tigers their first national championship in 34 years. He rushed for 207 yards, caught 4 passes for 105 yards and gained 149 total return yards. Now it really and truly should all come together for Barrett and the Buckeyes in the Heisman race.

McCaffrey has also stepped up when it has mattered most.

Henry’s 2015 season puts him above the rest.