Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson heads Heisman Trophy finalists
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers, Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson and Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook were named as finalists for the 2016 Heisman Trophy, with the ceremony set to take place Saturday evening in Midtown Manhattan.
Jackson is the favorite to win the award after a fabulous sophomore season. While his Cardinals limped into the postseason on back-to-back losses, Jackson’s overall résumé and unparalleled production has placed him in the Heisman driver’s seat since the first weeks of the regular season.
It should be a week-long coronation for the product of Pompano Beach, Fla., who ended the regular season with 3,390 passing yards, 1,538 rushing yards and 51 total touchdowns. The last two quarterbacks to account for at least 20 touchdowns through the air and on the ground were Tim Tebow and Cam Newton, who both took home the Heisman.
Here’s a look at the other finalists:
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
Meanwhile, Mayfield led the Sooners to another Big 12 Conference championship and a return to the Sugar Bowl by throwing for 3,669 yards on a Football Bowl Subdivision-best 11.1 yards per pass attempt.
If largely overlooked as a result of OU’s two early losses to Houston and Ohio State, Mayfield closed with 22 touchdowns against just three interceptions in his team’s final six games of the regular season.
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
Peppers showed the multifaceted game defenders need to be a factor for the Heisman. In addition to his All-America play at linebacker for one of the nation’s most punishing defenses, Peppers was a vital weapon in the Wolverines’ return game, ranking first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally in yards per punt return.
It would only make sense that Peppers would challenge for the Heisman while focusing primarily on defense. The last and only defense-first player to win the award also played for the Wolverines: cornerback and receiver Charles Woodson, who won the Heisman in 1997.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson
A reigning Heisman runner-up, Watson did outduel Jackson in Clemson’s win against the Cardinals during the regular season. However, Watson had a publicized battle with turnovers as a junior, and largely failed to match or exceed his production from a breakthrough sophomore season.
Not that Watson isn’t worthy of another top-three finish. The engine behind Clemson’s return to the College Football Playoff, he led the Atlantic Coast Conference in attempts, completions, passing yards and touchdowns during the regular season.
Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma
Westbrook was one-half of the nation’s most prolific passing tandem, along with Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield. His 1,465 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns ranked second among all Power Five pass-catchers, while his 74 receptions were more than double the Sooners’ next-most productive receiving option.
Like OU as a whole, Westbrook’s season took off in October. After accounting for just 17 catches in his first three games, Westbrook had 40 grabs for 881 yards and 11 scores in October alone, vaulting him into the Heisman race and helping the Sooners win another Big 12 title and reach the Sugar Bowl. (USA Today/TNS)