Clemson sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson was ranked the leading candidate for next year’s Heisman Trophy award as Watson finished third in the 2015 Heisman Trophy award on Saturday night.
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Prior to winning the award, Henry said numerous past Heisman winners were his heroes. To have this trophy is a blessing and an honor.
That November game in Boulder, a 42-10 Stanford win over the Buffaloes in which McCaffrey scampered for 220 all-purpose yards, was the Valor Christian product’s first on a Colorado field since 2013, when he ran for four TDs and led Valor to a fourth consecutive state championship.
Eddie George won the 1995 Heisman Trophy, one year before Stanford do-it-all star and 2015 Heisman finalist Christian McCaffrey was born.
Henry was considered the favorite going in, though it didn’t make it any easier for him.
“I enjoyed my time [in New York]”, Watson said. Deshaun, with how consistent and efficient he is at the quarterback position, all the success he had, I was kind of anxious. There was an appearance on the “NFL Today” on CBS, an interview with “FOX & Friends” and more meet and greets with past Heisman winners.
“My heart was about to bust out my chest”. “It’s pretty cool thinking this past year the adversity I went through and all the grinding, it’s coming true”.
For example, those that work closer with the SEC or in mainstream media voted for Derrick Henry.
Watson received 148 first-place votes, compared to Henry, who had 378.
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield came in fourth and Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds was fifth, but Henry, McCaffrey and Watson dominated the voting.
In addition to breaking Walker’s single-season SEC rushing yards record, Henry tied Tim Tebow’s touchdown record with 23 rushing scores this season. In those eight games, Henry was held under 100 yards rushing just twice, but still had 95 and 96, respectively, with four rushing touchdowns. Yes, the Crimson Tide are a more complete team than the Cardinal, but as already talked about, Henry was their offense and did it against a tough run defense on almost a weekly basis.
One of the first people Henry spoke with Sunday morning was his mother, Jastacia Veal, Henry’s father Derrick Sr., his school coach Bobby Ramsey, high school running backs coach Pat Dunlap and youth coach and father figure J.T. Medley were all a part of Henry’s traveling party to NY.
What an wonderful night for not just Henry, but his family as well.
Instead of going to NY for the ceremony, Henry’s family gathered in Jacksonville, Florida, where Henry’s 81-year-old grandmother Gladys has been receiving treatment since being hospitalized months ago. “We were trying to take the air out of the ball, and you can’t have a better guy to do it with than Derrick Henry”. I love them so much.
Henry came to Alabama as a five-star recruit, but he was a backup on a crowded depth chart as a freshman and thought about transferring. Before the Heisman came a dose of humility.
Did it hurt McCaffrey that his team didn’t get into the College Football Playoff? God is good. I can’t wait to celebrate with my team and coaches.
“My offensive line, if I could have had them here I would have brought them all”.
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Running backs – Dalvin Cook, sophomore, Florida State; Ezekiel Elliott, junior, Ohio State.
