Alabama’s Derrick Henry answers questions for the media, Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, in NY. He’s a phenomenal player. Every ballot must designate three individuals for the Heisman Trophy.
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Heisman Trophy victor Derrick Henry of Alabama and finalists Deshaun Watson of Clemson and Christian McCaffrey of Stanford highlight The Associated Press All-America team.
It was Henry who was relied upon to keep drives alive as well as finish them.
The moment right before the victor was announced was the toughest for Henry. Yet I wonder: If Alabama coach Nick Saban were starting a team for next season, would he trade his Heisman candidate for Watson? I’ve just got that 2009 feeling y’all. Prior to winning the award, Henry said numerous past Heisman winners were his heroes, and he hopes to live up to their standard as a role model. Henry ultimately led the nation with 1,986 rushing yards, which also set the SEC record ahead of former Heisman victor Herschel Walker of Georgia, and he scored 23 touchdowns.
Clemson’s Watson, playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference, threw for 3,512 yards and 30 TDs in leading the No. 1-ranked Tigers to an undefeated record, the only unbeaten team remaining. “This was another event that I was invited to and blessed to be here, but the real, main goal is to win a national championship, and that’s still in front of us”.
‘I didn’t know at all, ‘ he said. “Christian, breaking Barry Sanders’ record, doing all the things he does, he’s just unbelievable”. For example, a lot of people think that Henry put up those stats on elite defenses. While Stanford has had its fair share of solid running backs itself, McCaffrey is the first to be able to gain yards and score in the many ways he has.
“The Answer is Yes”.
ESPN’s subpar effort aside, it was a terrific year by Heisman standards.
McCaffrey fell a few hundred votes short of the Heisman, losing to Derrick Henry of Alabama, but everyone agreed that the Sophomore’s humility and talent will continue to take him and his home state far. Henry excelled that month, rushing for 200 or more yards in three of four games. Derrick Henry said his grandmother was with him in spirit as his childhood dream of winning the Heisman came true.
“I just want to say thank you to all the USF students that made Ray Jay rock this season and I can’t wait to see them all in Miami and turn Marlins Park into Ray Jay South”, Taggart said. He referred to his teammates as “my brothers, my family and the boys I love the most”.
And Henry knows exactly where he’s putting the hardware.
Alabama’s only other victor was Mark Ingram of the New Orleans Saints. “I look at it all of the time but now I have something to look at with my name on it. I’m so glad to bring Alabama its second Heisman Trophy”.
That combination took Alabama to the College Football Playoff.
Alabama plays Michigan State in the playoff on December 31 in Dallas, Texas. McCaffrey, on the other hand, played in the Pac-12 championship game that same night, going against two other conference-title games with the Pac-12 game the only one not on network TV and drawing the lowest ratings among all four Power 5 title games.
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“Last night I was up so late because I texted everybody back that texted me”.
