Persa not on popular Heisman Trophy Watch List
The popular website Heismanpundit.com released its 2011 Heisman Trophy Watch List on Tuesday, and arguably the best player in the Big Ten isn't on it.
ICONNorthwestern QB Dan Persa
Northwestern quarterback Dan Persa, who ruptured his Achilles on a game-winning touchdown pass late in the season against Iowa, was witheld from the very early preseason list. The website states that it will consider other players for future lists, as well as deleting current players, as the season progresses.
The 2011 winner will be announced in New York on Saturday, Dec. 10.
Having seen half of Persa's games in person in 2010, there's no question that the dual-threat signal-caller was the best player in the Big Ten. He was essentially Northwestern's main running back option, making plays both with his feet and his arm. He completed 73.5 percent of his passes for 2,581 yards with 15 touchdowns against just four interceptions last season. On the ground, he added nine scores.
While Persa is ahead of schedule in his rehab from the injury, doctors have not cleared him to participate in NU's spring practice.
Here is the Heisman Watch list in alphabetical order:
Montee Ball, Jr., RB, Wisconsin
Matt Barkley, Jr., QB, USC
Justin Blackmon, Jr., WR, Oklahoma State
Dayne Crist, Sr., QB, Notre Dame
Knile Davis, Jr., RB, Arkansas
Michael Dyer, So., RB, Auburn
Robert Griffin, Jr., QB, Baylor
Ronnie Hillman, So., RB, San Diego State
LaMichael James, Jr., RB, Oregon
Landry Jones, Jr., QB, Oklahoma
ICONAs a freshman, RB Marcus Lattimore gave South Carolina a much-needed boost to the rushing attack.
Marcus Lattimore, So., RB, South Carolina
Andrew Luck, Jr., QB, Stanford
Taylor Martinez, So., QB, Nebraska
Bryant Moniz, Sr., QB, Hawaii
Kellen Moore, Sr., QB, Boise State
Aaron Murray, So., QB, Georgia
Trent Richardson, Jr., RB, Alabama
Denard Robinson, Jr., QB, Michigan
Geno Smith, Jr., QB, West Virginia
Darron Thomas, Jr., QB, Oregon
Brandon Weeden, Sr., QB, Oklahoma State
James White, So., RB, Wisconsin
Email dave.miller@nationalfootballpost.com or follow me on Twitter at Miller_Dave
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