Heisman Trophy: Who should win it vs who will win it
The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner is set to be announced at 8:00 pm on December 10th. The finalists are as follows:
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Lamar Jackson (So) QB, Louisville: The speedy sophomore, has been down right dominant at times this season. Jackson has completed 57.6 percent of his passes for 3,990 yards and 30 touchdowns, while also rushing for 1,538 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Baker Mayfield (RJr) QB, Oklahoma: Mayfield got off to a shaky start against the likes of Houston and Oklahoma, however, he finished the season strong completing 71.2 percent of his passes for 3,669 yards and 38 touchdowns.
Jabrill Peppers (RSo) LB, Michigan: It is difficult to list Peppers as a linebacker when he can, and often does play multiple positions in each game. Peppers has 71 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception; along with 751 all purpose yards and 3 touchdowns.
Deshaun Watson (Jr) QB, Clemson: Watson has experienced some inconsistency at times this season, however, he has played his best when Clemson needed him. The junior signal caller has thrown for 3,914 yards and 37 touchdowns, while running for 529 yards and 5 touchdowns.
Who should win it? Jonathan Allen
I realize Jonathan Allen isn’t even a finalist, but he should be. The senior defensive lineman has been dominant all year long for the Tide. Allen managed to standout on a team chock full of future NFL players. On the season, Allen has 56 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and 1 blocked kick.
Jonathan Allen has been one of the most disruptive defensive players in the entire country and that is precisely the problem. The Heisman trophy is no longer given to the most outstanding player in college football, rather, it is given to the most outstanding offensive college football player. I can understand how this has happened. Offensive players have the opportunity to impact the game in a more visible way, by scoring. Points are all that the average fan notices, however, there is much more that goes into a victory than scoring a touchdown.
Allen ruins opposing offenses game-plans. There is not much you can do to stop Jonathan Allen, running around him doesn’t work, running directly at him doesn’t work, and allowing him to rush the passer is a death wish. Cutting a teams playbook in half is fairly impressive in my book.
Allen should win the Heisman because he has been the most outstanding college football player this season. If that isn’t enough for you touchdown lovers out there, Allen has scored two defensive touchdowns on the year, safe to say he’s not your average defensive lineman.
Who will win? Lamar Jackson
Let me start this off by saying Lamar Jackson has been outstanding this season, however, he has not consistently been the most outstanding player in the country.
Jackson is only the second player in the history of college football to throw for 3,000+ yards and run for 1,500+ yards in the same season. Lamar is also only the third player in the history of college football to throw for 30+ touchdowns and run for 20+ touchdowns in the same season. Who are the other two you might ask? None other than Heisman trophy winning quarterbacks Cam Newton and Tim Tebow.
While his stats are unquestionable, Jackson hasn’t played his best when the Cardinals needed him. Jackson had a costly fumble in Louisville’s loss to in-state rival Kentucky. Lamar was nowhere to be found in the Cardinals 36-10 loss to Houston.
It’s not that Jackson isn’t deserving, rather, Jonathan Allen is the MOST deserving. Oh and for the sake of argument, Allen is the best player on the best team.