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| Published: Sep 1, 2009 4:08 AM EST |
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2009 Heisman Trophy Preview |
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The Heisman Trophy is not only the most coveted college football award given out every year, but it's arguably the most recognizable award given to an athlete that isn't an Olympic gold medal.
The 2009 Heisman race has the potential the be the best race we've seen maybe in our lifetimes. Two Heisman Trophy winning quarterbacks return and both are expected to put up the type of numbers they did when they earned the trophy. Make no mistake about it, this isn't just a two-way race. There are several players that could walk away with the Heisman Trophy in 2009 that hasn't won one already.
Here's a list of players who have a legit shot at winning the Heisman in 2009.
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
Tebow enters 2009 facing perhaps the toughest challenge of his career. Florida is the No. 1 team entering the 2009 season and they have a realistic shot at winning their third championship in four years, which means they'll be faced with the pressure of being a dynasty. Plus, Tebow is looking to become the second player in the history of college football to win the Heisman twice. It won't be as easy without Percy Harvey and Louis Murphy both who can be seen on Sundays. For the first time in Tebow's career, he also has a few runningbacks that have the talent to shoulder the load on their own meaning he may not be relied upon in the running game like he's been in the past. All of that points to a decline in production, but Florida will reload on offense and Tebow is one of the greatest college football players ever. If anyone can make a run at Heisman while handling the pressure of greatness, it's Tebow.
Sam Bradford, QB Oklahoma
It seem unprecedented, but last years Heisman winner is flying under the radar. Bradford's expectations don't seem to be as high as that of Tim Tebow or Colt McCoy. His team's certainly are, but Oklahoma loss a ton of offensive talent and Bradford isn't expected to put up the type of numbers he did last year. I'm not buying that. Oklahoma isn't a program that rebuilds, they reload. Bradford will find players to make up for his losses. Plus, he has the best tight end in the country in Jermaine Gresham to throw the ball too as well as a dynamic duo in the backfield. He's not throwing for 50 touchdowns in 2009, but you can still win the Heisman with 40-plus touchdowns.
Colt McCoy, QB, Texas
A lot of people felt McCoy was robbed of the Heisman last year. I think the right guy won it a year ago, but McCoy's case was also very good. McCoy is primed to have a huge year this year. He can run, throw, and he has his top receiver back in Jordan Shipley. Everything is aligned for Texas to have a huge year and that's why McCoy is my preseason Heisman pick. I think while his numbers may not be as impressive as Bradford's or maybe even Tebow's, McCoy is going to be more valuable to Texas than those two are to their teams. That's a tough argument to make especially in the case of Tebow, but McCoy doesn't have the most talented defense to fall back on and he doesn't have the type talent in his backfield with him as Bradford does. I'm not criticizing the talent of Texas or overlooking the importance of Tebow and Bradford to their teams, but rather making the case for McCoy. After all, he is my pick.
Jevan Snead, QB, Mississippi
The three quarterbacks listed above might be the top college football quarterbacks, but Snead might be the best pro prospect of them all. Matthew Stafford was in a similar position a year ago as Snead is in this year and he didn't deliver with big numbers, but Snead could thrive where Stafford failed. Mississippi might be balanced offensively and that won't translate to huge numbers, but they''re in position to make it to the SEC Championship. If they can get there and potentially beat Florida in large part due to Snead, he could then ride that wave of momentum to the Heisman Trophy. It might be a long shot, but neither Tebow nor Bradford were exactly heavy favorites in the August before they won their Heisman.
Zac Robinson, QB, Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State is a sleeper not only for the Big 12 Championship, but also for the BCS Championship. They have one of the best offenses in football and it's lead by Robinson and not Dez Bryant. While Bryant is arguably the best player on the team, Robinson makes that offense work as well as it does. He's a threat on the ground as well as through the air. The final game on the schedule is against Oklahoma and that could be huge depending on what both teams' respective records look like and how each of their quarterbacks perform.
Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
Pryor is the ultimate wild-card in the 2009 Heisman race. He could struggle because his passing game isn't coming along as fast as some thought or he could dominate the Big Ten. They haven't seen a player that possess the qualities he does at the quarterback position before. The Big Ten is considered slow by many and it is. That's tough to admit especially since I grew up watching Big Ten football, but there isn't any denying that a Big Ten game is not as exciting as a Big 12 or SEC game. Pryor is the type of talent that gives the Big Ten creditability versus teams who have pride themselves on speed. If he develops quickly, he'll be in the Heisman picture this year.
Jahvid Best, RB, California
The best runningback in college football will always be a preseason Heisman contender. That honor this year goes to Best, but don't look for him to flop like some have in the past. He's the real deal and California has a chance to contend for the Pac-10 Championship pretty much because of him. A year ago, he averaged over eight yards a carry which was tops among players with at least 150 carries. If he gets the ball enough this year, he has a chance to have 2,000 yards on the ground.
Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Georgia Tech
The reigning ACC Player of the Year is one of the most talented runningbacks in college football and he's in a system that suits him well. Last year, Dwyer ran for over 1,300 yards and that was his first year as the starting back for Georgia Tech. This year, he should only get better after a year in the option system as should Georgia Tech as a football team. Dwyer has a chance to lead his team to a BCS Bowl and what happens from there, will depend on how everything else falls into place.
C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
Finally, Spiller doesn't have to share carries with James Davis and he can assume the spotlight for himself. Spiller has been an exceptional player, but his numbers have never been Heisman like before, but that could change this year. He's an all-purpose back that will be a threat as a runner, receiver, and on special teams. Spiller is probably the biggest long shot on my preseason list, but college football is full of surprises and Spiller winning the Heisman would definitely surprise many non hardcore fans.
Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State
Receivers never win the Heisman unless they can contribute to their team in some other way. That doesn't mean they shouldn't win it. Larry Fitzgerald is a recent example of someone who should have won the Heisman but didn't because a quarterback had nice numbers. History says probably not to a Bryant Heisman win, but you'll be hard to find a more fun player to watch in college football than Bryant in 2009. He'll make highlights every week and that alone should at least get him on several lists. His performances against Texas and Oklahoma will likely define his season and any potential run at the Heisman.
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| Published: Sep 1, 2009 4:08 AM EST |
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