We talked about top storylines and “must win” games earlier in the week. Now, it’s time to discuss one of the hottest preseason topics: the Heisman Trophy.
Q. Who will win the Heisman Trophy in 2016?
Bart Doan
On Twitter @TheCoachBart
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan.
Have I got your attention, yet? In the history of the Hesiman Trophy, only one primarily defensive player has ever won the award. There will eventually be another, and “eventually” comes around this season in the form of another Michigan defensive back.
Peppers can play all over the field defensively, but where you get the highlights are on special teams and offense, where he’s moonlighted as a returner, running back, wide receiver, and even quarterback. Coach Jim Harbaugh isn’t a delicate flower with players, and he’ll put them wherever they can shine, as much as they can be upright, 98 degrees, and helping win games.
As long as Michigan has themselves a good team run (like, pushing for the playoffs), you’ll see Peppers shoot up the Heisman board and every now and then, regardless of position, the guy who’s the best all around football player ends up winning it. This year, sprinkle Peppers on the Heisman.
Terry Johnson
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
I’ll go with Deshaun Watson of Clemson.
Honestly, I’m surprised that he didn’t win the award last year. Sure, Derrick Henry had a great season, but Watson was actually better. After all, Watson became the first player in FBS history to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in the same year. His 47 total TD’s were more than 66 teams scored all last season.
However, the area where Watson really stood out was how well he played when the Tigers were behind. In those rare situations, he completed 70 out of 108 passes for 933 yards and an impressive 8/1 TD-to-INT ratio, and ran for 45 times for 294 yards and an additional 4 TDs.
If that doesn’t equal “most outstanding player in the country”, I don’t know what does.
Kevin Causey
On Twitter @CFBZ
It seems like the field is deeper this year than it’s been in any year in recent memory. Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, Deshaun Watson, Nick Chubb, Baker Mayfield, Samaje Perine, J.T Barrett, Dalvin Cook, Chad Kelly, etc. There are a ton of candidates.
I went on record saying that Leonard Fournette would not win the Heisman last year. This year, I think he has a much better shot because his team is going to be a lot better.
I think Fournette will separate himself from the field this year and he won’t have back-to-back miscues like he did in 2015. Your Heisman Trophy winner for 2016 will be Leonard Fournette.
Phil Harrison
On Twitter @PhilHarrisonCFB
I’ll fall in line with Terry and go with DeShaun Watson of Clemson for a litany of reasons. First, he’s already the leader in the clubhouse in the psyches of almost all voters with his out of this world performance in the national championship game last year. Getting a head start on all competitors doesn’t hurt.
Secondly, he’s a quarterback. Let’s not get carried away with a running back standing at the podium in New York last year because it was the exception to the rule. The game is a quarterback driven affair now. In fact, 13 of the last 15 Heisman winners have been under center.
And he’ll have the stats and wins. We all know voters like the eye-popping stats and like to hold one stat sheet up against another for comparison’s sake. And while that’s not the best way to do it, many forget the intangible.
The offensive system that Watson is running will gobble up the yards and points using both his arm and legs. Combine that with another likely relevant run towards the College Football Playoff and it feels like a winning formula to me.
