I've been watching the Auburn and A&M replay from last year on ESPNU this morning, and the Aflac trivia question got me pondering something. For reference, the question was "Since 2000, who have been the non-quarterback's to win the Heisman?" (Of course the answer being Bush in '05 and Ingram in '09.) It got me thinking about our Heisman chances for this year, and who would be most likely to be in the mix.
Now first I will say, I really don't think any of our guys will come in and win the Heisman this year. Runningbacks would most likely be our best bet to win another one, but the carries will be so dispersed that I don't think any of our backs will put up the eye popping numbers needed to win it as a back. I think Cooper could be in the discussion if he was in a pass happy offense like a Texas Tech, (ala Crabtree) but he's another one that I don't think he will get the necessary touches. Since quarterback always seems to be the front-runner, you would think that Coker could get there. However, he already has such high expectations being set for him by the media that it would almost require a super-human effort to get him to Heisman levels. (and we all know that is not what we require of our quarterbacks. Now that I've given the reasons why none of our players will win it, allow me to share who I think could compete:
TJ Yeldon: He is such a stud, and he makes it look so easy that we often overlook how good he is. He was viewed by some to have had a Soph slump last year, and he still ran for well over 1,000. He is less than 700 yards away from setting our all-time rushing record, and he hasn't even started his Jr year yet. Now, his carries may be cut based off of the talent behind him, specifically in Henry, but it is quite possible that Yeldon comes out with his hair on fire and runs away from his competition. If he does, he could easily put up the stats to put himself in the discussion.
Jacob Coker: Again, I don't think he in any way finds himself in the discussion. However, if he leads us to an undefeated season, and if he puts up really good numbers, he could conceivably get there. He has the backfield to keep the defense from committing to stopping the pass, and he has the receivers to get the ball to that can help him put up a lot of numbers. I think a lot of his candidacy will depend on if the play calling will require for him to be a game manager or a play maker, and if the O-line can keep his jersey clean.
Those are the only two this year who I think could compete. I just don't see anyone person having enough prevalence in the play calling to put up the numerical stats to be in the conversation. However, I will also throw two names in for 2015 that I could easily see there as well:
Derrick Henry: He's almost a given here, but for good reason. He is a once in a lifetime type of runningback. He's so big that he's almost too big, and he's so fast that it's scary. He has all of the tools, and he will be the veteran in 2015 amongst a field of rookies. Yelden will most likely be gone, Drake may be gone depending on where he is next year, Fowler will be gone, and that leaves Henry as the veteran. He will undoubtedly have as much talent behind him as his predecessors, but that experience could be vital in making him the primary back. If that all transpires, he should go into 2015 not only as a candidate, but as the Heisman favorite.
A'Shawn Robinson: This is my ultimate dark horse candidate, and one who could never win it, but I could see him being in the discussion. The one player he reminds me of is N. Suh from Nebraska who not only was in the discussion, but also made it to New York. He's just bigger, stronger, and faster than all of the linemen he faces. He not only is superior physically, but he also plays with a mean streak that makes him a machine that never stops grinding. I expect him to have a break-out season this year and set the pace for the entire front 7. I think it's also very possible that he may be the highest player we have drafted in 2015. Again, I don't even know that he'll make it to New York, but I wouldn't bet against him.
Now that I've rambled on, what say you?
Now first I will say, I really don't think any of our guys will come in and win the Heisman this year. Runningbacks would most likely be our best bet to win another one, but the carries will be so dispersed that I don't think any of our backs will put up the eye popping numbers needed to win it as a back. I think Cooper could be in the discussion if he was in a pass happy offense like a Texas Tech, (ala Crabtree) but he's another one that I don't think he will get the necessary touches. Since quarterback always seems to be the front-runner, you would think that Coker could get there. However, he already has such high expectations being set for him by the media that it would almost require a super-human effort to get him to Heisman levels. (and we all know that is not what we require of our quarterbacks. Now that I've given the reasons why none of our players will win it, allow me to share who I think could compete:
TJ Yeldon: He is such a stud, and he makes it look so easy that we often overlook how good he is. He was viewed by some to have had a Soph slump last year, and he still ran for well over 1,000. He is less than 700 yards away from setting our all-time rushing record, and he hasn't even started his Jr year yet. Now, his carries may be cut based off of the talent behind him, specifically in Henry, but it is quite possible that Yeldon comes out with his hair on fire and runs away from his competition. If he does, he could easily put up the stats to put himself in the discussion.
Jacob Coker: Again, I don't think he in any way finds himself in the discussion. However, if he leads us to an undefeated season, and if he puts up really good numbers, he could conceivably get there. He has the backfield to keep the defense from committing to stopping the pass, and he has the receivers to get the ball to that can help him put up a lot of numbers. I think a lot of his candidacy will depend on if the play calling will require for him to be a game manager or a play maker, and if the O-line can keep his jersey clean.
Those are the only two this year who I think could compete. I just don't see anyone person having enough prevalence in the play calling to put up the numerical stats to be in the conversation. However, I will also throw two names in for 2015 that I could easily see there as well:
Derrick Henry: He's almost a given here, but for good reason. He is a once in a lifetime type of runningback. He's so big that he's almost too big, and he's so fast that it's scary. He has all of the tools, and he will be the veteran in 2015 amongst a field of rookies. Yelden will most likely be gone, Drake may be gone depending on where he is next year, Fowler will be gone, and that leaves Henry as the veteran. He will undoubtedly have as much talent behind him as his predecessors, but that experience could be vital in making him the primary back. If that all transpires, he should go into 2015 not only as a candidate, but as the Heisman favorite.
A'Shawn Robinson: This is my ultimate dark horse candidate, and one who could never win it, but I could see him being in the discussion. The one player he reminds me of is N. Suh from Nebraska who not only was in the discussion, but also made it to New York. He's just bigger, stronger, and faster than all of the linemen he faces. He not only is superior physically, but he also plays with a mean streak that makes him a machine that never stops grinding. I expect him to have a break-out season this year and set the pace for the entire front 7. I think it's also very possible that he may be the highest player we have drafted in 2015. Again, I don't even know that he'll make it to New York, but I wouldn't bet against him.
Now that I've rambled on, what say you?
