Sooners’ Mayfield leads field in final vote
There won’t be much suspense Saturday night in New York City when the Heisman Trophy is officially presented. So Baker Mayfield, start working on that acceptance speech.
The Oklahoma quarterback is the runaway leader in the season’s final USA TODAY Network Heisman survey. Among 20 electors who work for Gannett properties, Mayfield was named first on 18 ballots and second on the other two.
Mayfield’s numbers and the team’s 12-1 record make the case. He has thrown for 4,340 yards and 41 touchdowns with only five interceptions in
13 games, completing 71% of his passes. He is in line to be the sixth Sooner to win the award and the third OU quarterback so honored in the last 15 years, joining Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008).
Stanford running back Bryce Love will likely be the runner-up. Despite battling an ankle injury for much of the season, Love finished the campaign with
1,973 rushing yards and 17 TDs. He received the remaining two first-place votes in the survey.
Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson probably won’t repeat as the Heis- man winner, but he likely will be at the ceremony after finishing as the nation’s total offense leader at 411 yards per game.
Mayfield, Love and Jackson are the three Heisman finalists, announced Monday night.