The Heisman Trophy is one of the strangest awards in the sports world. There’s no objective way to win…by default, people vote on the award. So, for the most part, it’s all about perception. Numbers don’t matter as much as winning and having those signature “Heisman” moments. We’re talking about the big time players from the big time teams in the big time conferences.
Which is unfortunate, in my opinion. I’m a strong proponent of everyone at least getting a shot, but that’s just not the way the world works. So, with that in mind, I’m taking a look at who’s who in the 2018 Heisman race so far based on who fits the seemingly arbitrary criteria laid forth by the Heisman Trust. But, if you think I’m wrong to do so, feel free to hit up the comments.
FINAL SOBROS HEISMAN WATCH POINTS STANDINGS
20. Laviska Shenault, Jr. – Colorado WR
19. Kellen Mond, Texas A&M QB
18. David Blough, Purdue QB
17. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama WR
16. McKenzie Milton, UCF QB
15. Quinnen Williams, Alabama DL
14. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson QB
13. Jordan Ta’amu, Ole Miss QB
12. Jordan Love, Utah State QB
11. Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M RB
10. Drew Lock, Missouri QB (7 (SoBros Heisman Points) – Lock showed flashes of pure brilliance this season, a lot of the stuff that had us naming the 2017 SEC MVP. But that stretch of games against Georgia, South Carolina, and Alabama were just too bad for him to ever rise in the Heisman ranks. Still, I’d take “first round draft pick” as a mighty fine consolation prize.
9. Benny Snell, Jr., Kentucky RB (8) – Talk about falling off a cliff. Snell looked like the heart and soul of not only the Kentucky Wildcats, but the entire SEC. But, the Wildcats stopped winning and Snell was bottled up for several games. Snell dropped to 12th in the FBS in rushing yards, but still had a respectable 1,305 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
8. Travis Etienne, Clemson RB (10) – Etienne really came out of nowhere for a string of games early on in the season, dipped off, came back for a couple, and that’s that. He finished with 1,463 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns. But, the inconsistency never allowed him to stake his claim in this Heisman race.
7. Darrell Henderson, Memphis RB (11) – The Tigers running back finished 2018 averaging a whopping 8.9 yards per carry. He went over 200 yards three times this season, but a 15-yard performance provided the only slip-up he needed to lose the rushing title. Still, Henderson put himself in the conversation.
6. Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin RB (15) – The Badgers were bad this season, and that marred Taylor’s spectacular 2018 campaign. But, he still finished atop the FBS in rushing yards with 1,989 and 15 touchdowns. Mixed in with that season is a 321-yard game to boot.
5. Gardner Minshew, Washington State QB (16) – Talk about a guy coming out of nowhere – I don’t think anyone saw the season that the Cougars’ quarterback had coming. Minshew finished second in the FBS in passing yards with 4,477, and fifth in touchdowns with 36.
4. Will Grier, West Virginia QB (21) – The numbers for Grier were gaudy, for sure – 3,864 yards, 37 touchdowns. But, the interceptions and the Mountaineers’ tumble proved too much for Grier to overcome. He hasn’t been a serious Heisman candidate since October.
3. Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State QB (26) – The Buckeyes signal caller leads the FBS in passing yards with 4,580 and passing touchdowns with 47. But, his play wasn’t enough to raise his team to victory against Purdue, and that effect stuck on Haskins like white on rice from then on.
2. Kyler Murray, Oklahoma QB (27) – Murray was able to sneak up and become the Heisman front runner in the final game of the season. Las Vegas has shifted the odds to favor Murray over Tagovailoa. Not for nothing, Murray finished the season with 4,053 yards, 40 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also had 892 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He is the most dynamic player in college football.
1. Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama QB (34) – Tagovailoa finished the season with 3,353 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He had his worst game of the season in the SEC Championship, but overall, I think his 2018 campaign was more consistently great than anyone else’s. If he had played the totality of each game, he’d probably have the stats to unequivocally lay claim to the Heisman, but he didn’t.
Final Predictions
This is going to be a close finish. Murray has surpassed Tagovailoa in terms of production, and considering how bad Tagovailoa played in the SEC Championship, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Murray take home the hardware. But, it’s definitely a two horse race. I’m okay with that – adding a little drama to the Heisman race makes it more interesting – not like when Baker Mayfield won it last year or Lamar Jackson won it the year before (though I still maintain to this day that Deshaun Watson should have won it in ’16).
Because of having the hot hand and all of the momentum going into the ceremony, I say Murray comes away with it, giving Oklahoma its second consecutive Heisman Trophy.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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