Watson will look to be the 6th straight quarterback to win the award since 2009 when running back Mark Ingram (Alabama) took home the award.
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On the Tuesday broadcast of “Pardon the Interruption” on ESPN, co-host Michael Wilbon reacted to the three Heisman Trophy finalists being named, calling Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey “the best player in college football by far”. Saturday’s game against the Trojans provided a snapshot of exactly what McCaffrey is all about: 461 all-purpose yards -207 rushing, 105 receiving, 120 kick return and 29 punt return – and three touchdowns. After two weeks of the season, Stanford was 1-1 and McCaffrey had racked up just 124 total yards rushing.
Henry, considered the favorite for the trophy, set a Southeastern Conference record with 1,986 yards and had 23 touchdowns.
Over the 2015 season, Deshaun Watson has completed 69.5% of his passes, throwing for 3,512 yards and 30 touchdowns to 11 interceptions, while also running for 887 yards on 163 attempts and 11 touchdowns.
Interestingly, and not that long ago, it wasn’t a 100 percent certainty that McCaffrey, the nation’s leader in all-purpose yards (both this season and in the history of college football for a single season), would even get the invite to the New York City’s Downtown Athletic Club.
The Heisman Trophy isn’t simply about numbers, but Henry’s numbers don’t lie. In fact, all three Heisman Trophy finalists were named to the All-American teams. He carried much of the offense during the Auburn and Florida games, recording a total of 460 yards and two touchdowns.
PRO PROSPECTS: A junior, Henry is widely regarded as the second-best running back who could be available in the 2016 draft behind Ohio States Ezekiel Elliott.
Watson and Clemson will play Big 12 champion Oklahoma and Alabama will face Big Ten Champion Michigan State in the semifinal round of the College Football Playoffs on December 31.
Watson missed half of last season with injuries but has emerged as the best player on the top-ranked and only undefeated team. This has been the most wide open Heisman race since 2011 when Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III got a winning boost in the final weekend of the year. McCaffrey is second in leading rushes in the FBS at 1,847 yards.
“I am so happy for Deshaun Watson”.
Case For: The most versatile player in all of the college football world is Stanford’s own, Christian McCaffrey. OR plays TCU in the Alamo Bowl on January 2.
He would be Stanford’s second Heisman victor, joining Jim Plunkett in 1970. He would be Clemson’s first Heisman victor. He has recorded 11 or more victories four times.
His signature “Heisman moment” came in early November when he won the duel of SEC running backs against LSU’s Leonard Fournette in romping for 210 yards and three TD’s on 38 carries against the Tigers.
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Where would Henry be on your ballot if you were a Heisman voter?
