The Heisman Trophy,
the most prestigious award in all of college sports will be presented this Saturday
in New York City. The award will go to the college football player deemed to
have had the most outstanding performance on the gridiron during the 2011
season. This year’s race for the sport’s highest honor has been closer than
ever and prognosticators have found it impossible to tab a true frontrunner,
with the announcement less than a week away. Through the course of the season,
many candidates entered and exited the race, but an elite few have found their
way onto this unofficial Heisman ballot. Heisman voters are asked to list three
players on their ballot, and we will list three as well.
 |
| Montee Ball |
3rd Place – Montee Ball (Running Back), Wisconsin
Last year, Montee Ball was a third string running back at
Wisconsin. This year, he leaped over expected starter James White on the depth
chart and has not looked back. Ball has reached the end zone in one season more
than any other player in NCAA history besides one. His 38 touchdowns are second
to only Barry Sanders, who won the Heisman Trophy following his 39 touchdown
season in 1988. The bruising power back has managed to accomplish this feat
despite receiving far less carries than what Sanders managed during his record
breaking season. The Badgers offense is by no means a one man show. At one
point Ball’s teammate, quarterback Russell Wilson, was the unquestioned leader
of the Heisman derby. On the receiving end of many of Wilson’s passes was Nick
Toon, the son of NFL great Al Toon, and one of the country’s better receivers
in his own right. It has not been easy for Ball to stand out, but Ball’s
closing argument to the Heisman discussion was a strong one. He ended the
season by scoring four touchdowns in the Big Ten Championship game, sending his
team to a second consecutive Rose Bowl. It is likely that while in Pasadena,
Ball will break the record for most touchdowns ever scored in a single season.
That’s certainly Heisman worthy.
 |
| "RG3" |
2nd Place – Robert Griffin III (Quarterback), Baylor
Around the country, Heisman voters have openly discussed
their amazement towards the idea of a Baylor football player winning the
Heisman, but that doesn’t mean that the man known as RG3 is any less deserving.
Griffin is not your average dual threat quarterback. His world class sprint
speed has drawn the attention of the US Track and Field Team, and his deadly
accuracy throwing the football has now entranced NFL scouts as well. Robert
Griffin is the one candidate that has been on the Heisman radar since week one.
His Bears knocked off a team from TCU that went on to win the Mountain West
Conference, and Griffin’s play was otherworldly in what many still tout as the
game of the year. He followed up that performance with similarly dominating
outings against the Big 12’s traditional powers, offering flawless efforts in
wins over both Texas and Oklahoma. Baylor may not have ever been in the BCS
title discussion, but Griffin has made all the plays to be considered a
candidate all year long. Griffin finished the regular season two passing yards
short of 4,000 while completing 72% of his attempts. His touchdown to
interception ratio finished at 36 to 6 despite penchant for frequently hurling deep
passes down the field. If those stats weren’t overwhelming enough, you can
throw in the 644 rushing yards and the extra nine touchdowns he scored carrying
the football. Without Griffin, the Baylor Bears would probably be sitting at
home during the bowl season. With him, the Bears are attempting to win an
unprecedented 10th game this season.
1st Place – Tyrann Mathieu (Cornerback/Safety/Punt
Returner/Kick Returner), LSU
 |
| "The Honey Badger" |
The last time it happened was 1997. University of Michigan
cornerback Charles Woodson beat out Peyton Manning for the Heisman Trophy and
weeks later led his Wolverines to a national title. The stage is set for
history to repeat itself. The Heisman is supposed to be awarded to the best
player in college football, and “The Honey Badger” has overwhelmingly made his
case. Mathieu has been the most dominant defensive player on what some believe
is the best defense college football has ever seen. Mathieu has started at both
cornerback and safety for LSU and has returned kicks throughout the season. His
skills as a playmaker have been unmatched by anyone else on his unanimously
top-ranked team. Mathieu has forced six fumbles on the season and returned two
of those fumbles for touchdowns. He also
has two interceptions and two punt return touchdowns. His return touchdowns came
at two of the most crucial moments of LSU’s season. When LSU met Arkansas in a
game that would decide the SEC West, the Tigers trailed 14-7 before Mathieu
ripped off a 94-yard score. The Tigers would go on to outscore the Razorbacks
27-3 from that point on in route to a 41-17 victory. The next week, with his
team trailing Georgia 10-0 in the SEC Championship game, Mathieu returned
another punt from 62 yards out. After Mathieu’s jaunt to the end zone, the
Bulldogs would never score again and LSU would cruise to a 42-10 victory. Coincidentally, Mathieu was named the game's MVP later that evening. The
Honey Badger is just as dangerous without the ball in his hands. His 71 tackles
are highly impressive for a cornerback, and his 6.5 tackles for loss are even more
so. Like Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh two years ago, Mathieu has dominated games
from the defensive side of the ball and his efforts should be recognized this Saturday
in New York. This year’s class of Heisman candidates has fallen short of
delivering memorable Heisman moments on many occasions. Robert Griffin III
couldn’t get past Kansas State and Oklahoma State. Montee Ball was just a bit
unlucky as his team lost two games thanks to Hail Mary’s. But with all these circumstances
being considered, when the dust settled on this college football season, Tyrann
Mathieu proved to be most dominant and consistent player in the country. He may
not win the Heisman Trophy this Saturday, but for that reason, his name will go
atop this ballot.
