The record-breaking running back and Academic All-American was named one of three finalists for the award presented to the best college football player in the country, joined by junior running back Derrick Henry of Alabama and sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson of Clemson.
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But as favorites struggled (running backs Leonard Fournette of LSU and Ezekiel Elliott of Ohio State) or got hurt (quarterbacks Trevone Boykin of TCU and Seth Russell of Baylor), the dynamic changed.
Henry is the nation’s leader in rushing yards with 1,986 and rushing touchdowns with 23.
People don’t always remember many years later who won an SEC title, but they always remember national titles. The 6-2, 210-pounder was named the ACC Player of the Year as No. 1 Clemson – the nation’s only undefeated team – recorded its best season since 1981. In his second season with the Cardinal he has rushed for 1847 yards and 8 touchdowns and caught four more touchdowns while gaining 540 yards in the air. Yet his TD-to-interception is 30 to 11, the latter an extremely high number for a potential Heisman victor.
Shaw wouldn’t speculate on whether the Southern votes for Henry and Watson might be split, to McCaffrey’s advantage. They hit him hard the whole game; even the defensive backs came up and delivered some hard shots on him.
Come to think of it, couldn’t we have two winners this year?
Deshaun Watson had another impressive performance in leading his #1 ranked team to a 45-37 victory over #10 North Carolina on Saturday night.
Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey (5) heads for the end zone for a touchdown on a 28-yard pass during the second half of a Pac-12 Conference championship.
If you’re using which of the Heisman finalists played against the best defenses as a tiebreaker, McCaffrey gets left in the dust, and Henry and Watson are in a virtual deadlock. He’s also third among quarterbacks in rushing yards (887) and tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns (11).
Will Muschamp has received a 5-year, $16 million deal to lead the SC football program.
This year’s race for the Heisman stands in stark contrast to recent years, in that the three-person field is headlined by two running backs.
It’s been alleged that Sanders, who amassed 3,250 yards in 11 games in his Heisman-winning 1988 season, should still be considered the single-season all-purpose yards record holder. The fact that Stanford played seven night games probably won’t help him, Shaw said. No one else has done what Deshaun Watson has done this season and he is a threat in the passing game and the running game.
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“My main focus is on finishing and helping this team win”, Henry said.
