2008 Heisman Preview
by Matt Brown
Who will take home college football’s most coveted prize in 2008? Can Tebow go back to back, or is he no longer the front runner?
In 73 years of the Heisman Trophy, just Ohio State running back Archie Griffin has had the honor of accepting the award twice when he won in both 1974 and 1975.
This season, it could be an Ohio State running back standing in the way of a bid for back-to-back Heismans.
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow’s numbers last year were astounding. Not only did the sophomore throw for 3,286 yards and 32 touchdowns with just six interceptions, but he set an SEC record for rushing touchdowns with 23. In a conference with past greats at running back that include Herschel Walker, Emmitt Smith and Bo Jackson, it’s hard to imagine that a quarterback set the record for rushing touchdowns.
Barring injury, there is little reason to doubt that Tebow will post Heisman-caliber numbers again. But it will be difficult to top what he did last year, especially since he will likely get fewer carries this season.
Tebow had 210 carries in 2007, more than double running back Kestahn Moore’s 104. With the emergence of redshirt freshman Chris Rainey in the spring and the addition of USC transfer Emmanuel Moody, Tebow should finally get some help in the backfield and will not be counted on as much in the running game.
Even so, it’s hard for Tebow not to be the favorite heading into the season. But he should have plenty of competition, and that starts with Buckeyes’ tailback Chris Wells.
After splitting time as a freshman, Wells finished second in the Big Ten in rushing with 1,609 yards and 15 touchdowns as a sophomore. He rushed for 100 or more yards nine times, including 200 -yard performance against Michigan State and Michigan.
Ten starters return to the Ohio State offense, and Wells is poised for another huge season. The Buckeyes are the clear front-runners in the Big Ten and have a great chance at making their third consecutive BCS National Championship game appearance. If that happens, Wells will almost certainly be a leading candidate in New York in December.
But with so many top running backs gone to the NFL, it should be another year in which the voting is dominated by quarterbacks. Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno has to be a preseason favorite, but it’s hard to imagine back-to-back sophomores winning the award considering Tebow was the first sophomore to ever win it.
Moreno is a top talent who rushed for 1,334 yards - despite Thomas Brown carrying the ball 148 times - and he should have a big season getting an even bigger load of carries and post huge numbers. He will be in the mix, but he may need to wait until Wells is off to the NFL for his best chance at the award.
Other top running backs all have issues that may keep them out of the race. Oklahoma’s DeMarco Murray will likely be overshadowed by his quarterback Sam Bradford, Clemson’s James Davis and C.J. Spiller have the problem of splitting carries and LeSean McCoy’s Pitt team may not be strong enough to get him into the race.
At quarterback, West Virginia’s Pat White is sure to be in the mix, especially if the Mountaineers avoid slip-ups like last year’s debacle against Pitt. White’s 2007 numbers were better than Eric Crouch’s 2001 Heisman-winning numbers, and if he stays healthy, they will probably improve even more. Having all five starters back on the offensive line can’t hurt either.
While Tebow and White are dual threats, several more traditional quarterbacks will be in the mix. It is the year of the quarterback in the Big 12, and that shows in the Heisman race.
Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford led the nation in passing efficiency as a freshman, completed nearly 70 percent of his passes and tossed 36 touchdowns.
Missouri’s Chase Daniel led the Tigers to 12 wins and finished fourth in the Heisman voting. Texas Tech could have one of its best years ever behind Graham Harrell, who posted an incredible 5,705 yards and 47 touchdowns as a junior.
And, while he probably does not have much of a chance at winning the award, Todd Reesing of Kansas is a smart quarterback who was the biggest reason for the Jayhawks’ 12 wins. But, with a much tougher schedule that includes games against South Florida, Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri, Kansas will most likely not duplicate last year’s success.
The Heisman is very rarely awarded to a player who isn’t a quarterback or running back, but every year a couple of receivers or defensive players get thrown into the discussion at some point in the season.
This year, Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin and Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree are sure to enter the race. If healthy, Harvin may actually have a chance to get to New York, given the amount of touches he gets in the backfield, in addition to his production as a receiver.
As for Crabtree, all he did was rack up 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns on 134 catches in his redshirt freshman season. If he duplicates those numbers and Texas Tech can have a 10-win season, he will be mentioned as a contender, although he will split votes with Harrell.
After a tight Heisman race in 2007, it should be another close one in 2008. If Wells has a big game at USC on September 13, he will surely lead the way early in the year. And if the Buckeyes beat the Trojans, they will have an excellent chance at returning to the national title game, which certainly can’t hurt Wells in his run for the Heisman.
The Top 10 Heisman Candidates
1. Chris Wells, Jr., Running Back, Ohio State
2. Tim Tebow, Jr., Quarterback, Florida
3. Pat White, Sr., Quarterback, West Virginia
4. Knowshon Moreno, So., Running Back, Georgia
5. Sam Bradford, So., Quarterback, Oklahoma
6. Chase Daniel, Sr., Quarterback, Missouri
7. Percy Harvin, Jr., Wide Receiver, Florida
8. Graham Harrell, Sr., Quarterback, Texas Tech
9. Cullen Harper, Sr., Quarterback, Clemson
10. Todd Reesing, Jr., Quarterback, Kansas
Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order):
Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech), Dan LeFevour (QB, Central Michigan), Jeremy Maclin (WR, Missouri), LeSean McCoy (RB, Pittsburgh), DeMarco Murray (RB, Oklahoma), Matthew Stafford (QB, Georgia)
E-mail me at mattbrown@newerascouting.com