I need a palate cleanser before digging in on the 24 season. I figured we could all wade into the Heisman debate. I don’t care who the finalists are, I think we all understand that it’s coming down to Hunter vs. Jeanty.
I’ve gone back and forth a few times on this. Hunter is playing at a high level in two different positions which probably hasn’t happened since dudes stopped being forced to play both ways. He’s also got one of the best PR machines in college football bumping him up. Jeanty is having a ridiculous season and is climbing NCAA record books.
I’ve now reached this conclusion: Hunter is GOING to win it, but Jeanty SHOULD win it.
Hunter is only ranked in the top 5 in the NCAA in two statistical categories (Rec. TD-2nd and Receptions-5th). His receiving stats are WAY lower than the typical Biletnikoff winner over the last decade (400 yards lower for the season on 5.25 yards/reception less than the average with 3 fewer TD’s). Marvin Harrison Jr. is the closest to Hunter’s season, but still produced 60 more yards on 25 fewer receptions. Amari Cooper was the closest on Yards/Reception but had over 1700 yards receiving. Nick Nash SHOULD walk away with it, but I think Hunter gets the PR nod.
The one award that Hunter fits the profile for is the Thorpe award. I don’t think that he’s the best CB statistically, but I think he aligns well with what the Thorpe award looks at. He does not align at all with the Bednarik, Maxwell, etc.
Compare that to Jeanty. He’s top 3 in virtually every NCAA tracked rushing category this season. He’s also having an all-time-great rushing season (4th best season in yards, 6th best in rushing TD’s). He’s a “below his average rushing performance” away from breaking the rushing yards record and finishing in the top 3 in rushing touchdowns. Honestly, unless he has just an absolutely atrocious playoff game, he’s going to finish no lower than 2nd and 4th.
There have been 6 guys who have rushed for more than 2000 yards and had more than 25 rushing TD’s. 4 of them won the Heisman. The two that didn’t came across buzz saws.
2014:
Melvin Gordon-2587 yards rushing, 29 rushing TD’s, 153 yards receiving, 3 receiving TD’s
Marcus Mariota-4454 yards passing, 42 passing TD’s, 4 INT’s, 770 yards rushing, 15 rushing TD’s, 26 yards receiving, 1 receiving TD. Also finished the season
Marriota was in the CFP and finished in the top 25 in 5 different single season and career passing records. He also accounted for over 5000 yards and nearly 60 TD’s. Mariota ran away with the Heisman.
2007:
Kevin Smith-2567 yards rushing 29 TD’s, 242 yards receiving, 1 TD.
Tim Tebow-3286 yards passing, 32 TD’s, 895 yards rushing 23 TD’s
Smith was never really in it. Part of that was because he was playing at UCF before anyone was really paying much attention to them. Part of that was because Darren McFadden rushed for over 1800 yards and 16 touchdowns that year.
Additionally, no Quarterback who had thrown for 30 TD’s and rushed for 20 TD’s has ever NOT won the Heisman.
I’ve gone back and forth a few times on this. Hunter is playing at a high level in two different positions which probably hasn’t happened since dudes stopped being forced to play both ways. He’s also got one of the best PR machines in college football bumping him up. Jeanty is having a ridiculous season and is climbing NCAA record books.
I’ve now reached this conclusion: Hunter is GOING to win it, but Jeanty SHOULD win it.
Hunter is only ranked in the top 5 in the NCAA in two statistical categories (Rec. TD-2nd and Receptions-5th). His receiving stats are WAY lower than the typical Biletnikoff winner over the last decade (400 yards lower for the season on 5.25 yards/reception less than the average with 3 fewer TD’s). Marvin Harrison Jr. is the closest to Hunter’s season, but still produced 60 more yards on 25 fewer receptions. Amari Cooper was the closest on Yards/Reception but had over 1700 yards receiving. Nick Nash SHOULD walk away with it, but I think Hunter gets the PR nod.
The one award that Hunter fits the profile for is the Thorpe award. I don’t think that he’s the best CB statistically, but I think he aligns well with what the Thorpe award looks at. He does not align at all with the Bednarik, Maxwell, etc.
Compare that to Jeanty. He’s top 3 in virtually every NCAA tracked rushing category this season. He’s also having an all-time-great rushing season (4th best season in yards, 6th best in rushing TD’s). He’s a “below his average rushing performance” away from breaking the rushing yards record and finishing in the top 3 in rushing touchdowns. Honestly, unless he has just an absolutely atrocious playoff game, he’s going to finish no lower than 2nd and 4th.
There have been 6 guys who have rushed for more than 2000 yards and had more than 25 rushing TD’s. 4 of them won the Heisman. The two that didn’t came across buzz saws.
2014:
Melvin Gordon-2587 yards rushing, 29 rushing TD’s, 153 yards receiving, 3 receiving TD’s
Marcus Mariota-4454 yards passing, 42 passing TD’s, 4 INT’s, 770 yards rushing, 15 rushing TD’s, 26 yards receiving, 1 receiving TD. Also finished the season
Marriota was in the CFP and finished in the top 25 in 5 different single season and career passing records. He also accounted for over 5000 yards and nearly 60 TD’s. Mariota ran away with the Heisman.
2007:
Kevin Smith-2567 yards rushing 29 TD’s, 242 yards receiving, 1 TD.
Tim Tebow-3286 yards passing, 32 TD’s, 895 yards rushing 23 TD’s
Smith was never really in it. Part of that was because he was playing at UCF before anyone was really paying much attention to them. Part of that was because Darren McFadden rushed for over 1800 yards and 16 touchdowns that year.
Additionally, no Quarterback who had thrown for 30 TD’s and rushed for 20 TD’s has ever NOT won the Heisman.
