Before Johnny Manziel won the coveted Heisman Trophy as a freshman, the first freshman ever to do so, no one would have believed that a freshman would win the award. And now it seems likely that yet another freshman will walk off with one of the most prized honors in all of collegiate sports.
The Heisman Trust committee released the names on Monday of the six finalists to compete for the 79th annual presentation of the Trophy. We have not seen 6 finalists for the Heisman since 1994.
Last year’s winner, known a Johnny Football, is once again on the list. Although Manziel’s team did not have the success it enjoyed the previous season, Johnny Manziel himself had another great year, putting up numbers that few others could even approach.
Las Vegas sports books have listed Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston as the odds on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy this year. Winston is another freshman who has led his Seminoles to the national championship game where they will take on the Tigers of Auburn in Pasadena.
Winston was just named the ACC’s Player of the Year after his Seminoles steamrolled all opponents this season and cruised to a 13-0 record beating Duke in the ACC Championship game.
Alabama’s senior quarter AJ McCarron also made the list of six and rightly so. McCarron has led the Crimson Tide for the past 4 seasons to the best overall record in the country and two national championships. He was the MVP in the 2012 BCS Title game in which they beat LSU 21-0.
Whether or not AJ McCarron wins the Heisman Trophy, NFL teams in need of a good quarterback will be taking an interest in this very special young athlete.
Also included on the list of six are Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch who had a great year up until his last game against Bowling Green along with Auburn running back Trey Mason who lit up the field in Auburn’s surprising season. Mason rushed for 1,621 yards and 22 TD’s.
Senior running back Andre Williams of Boston College rushed for 2,012 yards and 17 touchdowns also made the list of six.
The presentation will take place in New York City’s Times Square at the Best Buy Theatre on Saturday evening, December the 14th.
It is quite an honor for a young player to even be invited to the ceremony.
Good luck to all six candidates.
