Tag: heisman trophy

Dec 4, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) gestures prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Young favored to claim Alabama’s first Heisman at QB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

An Alabama quarterback has never won the coveted Heisman Trophy.

Bryce Young has become very aware of that fact in recent days and the sophomore is the favorite to become the first when the Heisman is handed out on Saturday in New York.

The other finalists are Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Young had a fabulous season and guided Alabama to the No. 1 seed in the upcoming College Football Playoff. The first-year starter has a solid chance at ending the drought when the winner is announced.

“It’s something I don’t take for granted,” Young said earlier this week. “To even get an opportunity to go after an accomplishment like this, I’m truly grateful to be in the position that I am.”

The Crimson Tide have had some recent quarterback close calls with AJ McCarron (2013) and Tua Tagovailoa (2018) finishing second, and Mac Jones (2020) finishing third. Alabama receiver DeVonta Smith won the award last season.

Young has thrown for 4,322 yards and 40 touchdowns against just four interceptions. His last showing certainly resonated with voters as he threw for 421 yards and three touchdowns in a 41-24 win over then-No. 1 Georgia in the SEC title game.

The candidacy of Hutchinson has flourished late in the season due to three-sack efforts against Penn State and Ohio State and leading the 42-3 steamrolling of Iowa in the Big Ten title game.

Hutchinson fractured an ankle 13 months ago or he otherwise might have been off to the NFL. Instead, he returned and has etched his name into Michigan lore with a school-record 14 sacks and overall tenacious play.

The biggest hurdle for Hutchinson is that only one primarily defensive player has won the award. Of course, Michigan claims that player in 1997 winner Charles Woodson.

The last defensive player to finish in the Top 3 was Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o (second in 2012). Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh only finished fourth despite a monster season in 2009. Also of note is that Pitt defensive end Hugh Green finished second in 1980 after terrorizing opponents.

But Michigan’s appearance in the CFP for the first time also might earn Hutchinson more votes.

“There’s no question that we’re not in the position that we’re in today without Aidan Hutchison,” Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh said.

Pickett also made a strong late-season push and has surpassed some big records along the way while helping the Panthers win the ACC title.

He set school career marks of 12,303 yards and 81 touchdowns — the latter stood for 39 years after being set by legendary Dan Marino. His 42 passing touchdowns this season broke the ACC mark of 41 set by Clemson’s Deshaun Watson in 2016.

Pickett considered leaving for the NFL after last season but wasn’t thrilled with draft projections. Now he is looked at as a high pick in the first round.

Pickett, who passed for 4,319 yards and seven interceptions, also is looking to join running back Tony Dorsett (1976) as the school’s lone Heisman winner.

“It is an incredible honor to be named a Heisman Trophy finalist,” Pickett said. “I’m so proud to represent our university this weekend in New York City. This honor is about our entire program and all of my teammates and coaches. Just like our ACC Championship, we did this together.”

Stroud also is a first-year starter and passed for 3,862 yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions for an Ohio State squad that led the nation in scoring (45.5 points per game) and total offense (551.4 yards per game).

He topped 400 passing yards on four occasions and was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.

“It’s really cool. It’s a blessing,” Stroud told reporters Wednesday of being a finalist. “I never knew it would be this, honestly. I’m just truly blessed and blessed to be around these great people. “I love my teammates to death. Without them, I wouldn’t be here.”

Among the players who didn’t receive an invitation were Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral (20 passing touchdowns, 11 rushing), Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (second nationally with 1,636 rushing yards) and Alabama linebacker Will Anderson (nation-leading 15.5 sacks).

–Field Level Media

Dec 4, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Heisman finalists: Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Kenny Pickett, Aidan Hutchinson

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson were named finalists for the Heisman Trophy on Monday and will attend the presentation ceremony Saturday in New York.

Young led the perennial power Crimson Tide to the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff with their win over Georgia in the SEC championship game Saturday. Young amassed 461 total yards in the game (421 passing) to set an SEC title game record.

Young ranks fourth in Division I in passing yards (4,322) and second in passing touchdowns (43) while throwing only four interceptions.

Stroud led the Buckeyes to a 10-2 record and a berth in the Rose Bowl. The redshirt freshman has totaled 3,862 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games.

Pickett burst onto the national scene in his senior season, throwing multiple touchdown passes in every game and leading Pitt to its first ACC championship. He ranks fifth in the nation in passing yards (4,319) and third in passing touchdowns (42), nearly identical numbers to Young.

Hutchinson set a program record with 14 sacks and helped the Wolverines win their first Big Ten title since 2004, locking up their first CFP appearance as well. Hutchinson won the Big Ten Championship Game MVP award Saturday when he recorded four tackles, one sack and seven quarterback pressures in a 42-3 beatdown of Iowa.

Hutchinson will vie to become the second defensive player to win the Heisman, following in the path of another Michigan star, cornerback Charles Woodson, in 1997.

Missing from the list of finalists was Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III, who was thought to be a Heisman front-runner earlier in the season when he helped the Spartans to an 8-0 start and scored five touchdowns in a win over Michigan. Walker ranks second in the nation with 1,636 rushing yards.

–Field Level Media

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws over Michigan State Spartans defensive tackle Maverick Hansen (97) during the first quarter of the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Michigan State Spartans At Ohio State Buckeyes Football

Ohio State QB CJ Stroud now the Heisman favorite

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Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud moved into the role of Heisman Trophy favorite after throwing for six touchdowns and 432 yards in the Buckeyes’ 56-7 thrashing of Michigan State on Saturday.

BetMGM and DraftKings both listed Stroud, a redshirt freshman, at -200 on Sunday. On Oct. 31, after a 305-yard performance against Penn State, Stroud was at +450 at both books.

The six touchdown passes against the Spartans tied Stroud for the most in Buckeyes history.

Alabama sophomore quarterback Bryce Young had quite a day of his own on Saturday, completing 31 of 40 passes for 559 yards and five TDs in a 42-35 defeat of Arkansas. Both BetMGM and DraftKings listed him at +150 in the Heisman odds on Sunday.

The 559 yards passing set a Crimson Tide record.

On Oct. 31, he was offered at +190 by BetMGM and +180 by DraftKings.

Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral, the favorite earlier this year, was listed Sunday at +1600 by BetMGM and +2000 by DraftKings.

The Heisman Trophy will be awarded Dec. 11.

–Field Level Media

Michigan State's Kenneth Walker III runs for a touchdown against Michigan during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. 211030 Msu Michigan 185a

Michigan State RB Kenneth Walker III gains footing in Heisman race

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With a five-touchdown performance Saturday in a 37-33 win over Michigan, Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III moved squarely into the Heisman Trophy conversation.

Walker entered Saturday’s game leading the nation at 142.4 rushing yards per game and added 197 yards on 23 carries against the Wolverines. He is three yards shy of 1,000 on the year.

BetMGM and DraftKings both offered Walker at +500 odds to win the Heisman on Sunday.

“This is a huge stage, the whole world is watching and got a chance to see what type of player he is,” Michigan State coach Mel Tucker said after the Michigan win. “And obviously any recognition that he’s getting for Heisman consideration is well deserved.”

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, whose team was on a bye Saturday, remained the leader at both sportsbooks, offered at +190 by BetMGM and +180 by DraftKings.

Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral was listed at +275 by BetMGM but dropped to +500 at DraftKings after a loss at Auburn on Saturday night. Corral completed 21 of 37 passes for 289 yards and an interception as he battled through what appeared to be a left ankle injury.

Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud was offered at +450 by both books after a 305-yard performance against Penn State in a 33-24 win on Saturday.

Oklahoma freshman quarterback Caleb Williams, who has taken over for preseason Heisman favorite Spencer Rattler, moved to +850 at BetMGM and +800 at DraftKings. He completed 76.7 percent (23 of 30) of his passes for 402 yards and six touchdowns in a 52-21 Sooners win over Texas Tech on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Mississippi Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama’s Bryce Young returns to role as Heisman favorite

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No. 1 Alabama defeated Southeastern Conference foe Ole Miss 42-21 on Saturday, and the big win catapulted Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young back to the role of Heisman Trophy favorite.

Matt Corral, the quarterback of the No. 12 Rebels, entered the game as the favorite. But that all changed after Alabama took a commanding 28-0 halftime lead on the way to victory.

On Sunday, sports books DraftKings, BetMGM and PointsBet all offered Young at +120 odds, up from +175, +185 and +250, respectively, a week ago.

Against Ole Miss, Young was 20-of-26 passing for 241 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

In the loss, Corral completed 21 of 29 attempts, tallying 213 yards and a touchdown.

The odds for Corral lengthened to +200 at DraftKings, +225 at BetMGM and +200 at PointsBet.

Last Sunday, Corral was listed at +150 at both DraftKings and PointsBet, with BetMGM offering him at +160.

The closest competitor in Heisman odds is Desmond Ridder. The Cincinnati quarterback moved to +1200 at DrafKings and BetMGM and to +1500 at PointsBet after the No. 7 Bearcats toppled No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13.

Ridder finished the game 19-of-32 passing for 297 yards with two touchdowns. He also scored one rushing TD.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) talks with Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffen at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Sportsbooks make Ole Miss QB Matt Corral new Heisman favorite

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Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral is now the Heisman Trophy favorite, surpassing his Alabama counterpart Bryce Young ahead of next weekend’s Southeastern Conference showdown between the teams.

The Rebels were idle Saturday.

Corral is listed at +150 at both DraftKings and PointsBet, with BetMGM offering him at +160.

Alabama manhandled Southern Mississippi 63-14 on Saturday, and Young was 20-of-22 passing for 313 yards with five touchdowns and an interception.

After that performance, his odds moved to +175 at DraftKings, +185 at BetMGM and +250 at PointsBet,

Of course, the two could flip-flop positions after Saturday’s game in Tuscaloosa.

Spencer Rattler, the preseason favorite, saw his odds lengthen again after Oklahoma’s ugly, last-second win over West Virginia. Oklahoma fell from No. 4 to No. 6 in the AP Top 25 poll as Rattler was 26-of-36 passing for 256 yards with one touchdown and an interception.

In the Heisman odds, he fell to +2500 at DraftKings, BetMGM and Points Bet.

After last weekend’s 23-16 win over Nebraska, Rattler was listed at +1500 at Points Bet, +1100 at BetMGM and +1400 at DraftKings.

Entering the Heisman picture this week is Desmond Ridder, the quarterback of No. 7 Cincinnati. The Bearcats were idle Saturday and travel to No. 9 Notre Dame next weekend.

DraftKings has Ridder at +1500, BetMGM at +1600 and +2000 at PointsBet.

–Field Level Media

Sep 18, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

QBs Mark Corral, Bryce Young running away with Heisman race

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Quarterbacks Bryce Young of Alabama and Matt Corral of Ole Miss have pulled just about even in the race for the Heisman Trophy, three weeks into the college football season.

At DraftKings, both Young and Corral are listed at +200. PointsBet is offering Corral at +200 and Young at +275, while BetMGM favors Young at +220 and lists Corral at +275.

Both led their teams to victories on Sunday, with Ole Miss (3-0) crushing Tulane 61-21 and Alabama (3-0) narrowly beating Florida 31-29.

Corral accounted for seven touchdowns, throwing three and running for four on a day that the Rebels totaled 707 yards of offense and 41 first downs. The junior was 23-of-32 passing for 355 yards and added 68 yards on 13 carries.

He became the first player in Southeastern Conference history with three passing and four rushing TDs. After Ole Miss’ Week 1 win over Louisville, Corral was offered at +1000 by PointsBet. Following Week 2, the odds shortened to +600 at both PointsBet and BetMGM.

Young, a sophomore, was 22-of-35 passing for 240 yards with three touchdowns.

The race between the two could get some clarity beginning Oct. 2 when the Crimson Tide host the Rebels in Tuscaloosa.

Spencer Rattler, the preseason favorite, saw his odds lengthen again after Oklahoma’s 23-16 win over Nebraska in a game in which the Sooners defense overshadowed its offense. The redshirt sophomore was 24-of-34 passing for 214 yards and a touchdown, and he added a rushing TD.

Rattler is listed at +1500 at Points Bet, +1100 at BetMGM and +1400 at DraftKings.

Ole Miss never has had a Heisman Trophy winner while Oklahoma and Alabama have combined for six since 2008 when Sam Bradford won the trophy for Oklahoma. The others: Mark Ingram Jr. (Alabama, 2009); Derrick Henry (Alabama, 2015); Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma, 2017); Kyler Murray (Oklahoma, 2018); and DeVonta Smith (Alabama, 2020).

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2021; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; quarterback Matt Corral (2) throws a pass against the Austin Peay Governors during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Ole Miss QB Matt Corral moves squarely into Heisman conversation

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After a five-touchdown game on Saturday, Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral continued his climb up the list of Heisman Trophy favorites as his Oklahoma counterpart, Spencer Rattler, tumbled again.

Still, both trail Alabama sophomore quarterback Bryce Young, who led the Crimson Tide (2-0) to a 48-14 victory against Mercer. He completed 19 of 27 passes for 227 yards and three touchdowns.

Young is listed at +300 at PointsBet and +325 at BetMGM.

Corral, a junior, helped the Rebels to a 54-17 win over Austin Peay with a 21-of-33 passing, 281-yard performance. He added 35 rushing yards.

After Ole Miss’ Week 1 win over Louisville, Corral was offered at +1000 by PointsBet. Following Week 2, the odds shortened to +600 at both PointsBet and BetMGM.

Oklahoma’s Rattler, the preseason favorite, saw his odds lengthen again despite the Sooners’ 76-0 thumping of Western Carolina. Rattler was 20-of-26 passing for 243 yards and five touchdowns before calling it a day.

Rattler moved to third favorite as his odds lengthened from +700 to +750 at PointsBet and from +900 to +1000 at BetMGM.

The only other player within striking distance after Week 2 is Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is at +1100 at BetMGM and +1300 at PointsBet.

Ohio State fell to No. 9 in the AP Top 25 poll with a loss to Oregon on Saturday. Still, Stroud had a stellar day, passing for 484 yards and three touchdowns with an interception.

Stroud was named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week for the second consecutive week and has thrown for 778 yards and seven touchdowns through his first two games.

–Field Level Media

OU quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) enters the 2021 season as the Heisman Trophy favorite on a Sooners team eyeing their first national title since the 2000 season. main

Oklahoma QB Spencer Rattler unanimous favorite for Heisman

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler is the universal favorite to win the 2021 Heisman Trophy based on season-opening odds at regulated sportsbooks.

Rattler is +650 at BetMGM, ahead of Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Georgia quarterback JT Daniels. North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud are +1600 at BetMGM.

Rattler is +550 at PointsBet after tossing 28 touchdowns and completing 67.5 percent of his passes as a redshirt freshman in 2020. In 11 games, Rattler went 9-2 and rolled up 3,031 passing yards.

He’s vying to be the fifth Oklahoma quarterback since 2000 to win the award.

Uiagalelei is +800 at PointsBet and No. 2 in the Heisman odds entering the 2021 season. Uiagalelei is +1100 at BetMGM.

He’s taking the reins at Clemson for No. 1 draft pick Trevor Lawrence after getting his feet wet in two starts last season as Lawrence battled COVID-19.

Young, even with Uiagalelei at +900 at FanDuel, is +900 at PointsBet and +1100 at BetMGM.

He’s next in line for the Crimson Tide and takes over for Mac Jones, who won the national title and let Alabama to an undefeated season before moving on to become the starter for the New England Patriots.

Quarterback Matt Corral of Ole Miss is +1400 at FanDuel, behind only Rattler, Uigalelei and Young. Corral had 3,337 yards and 29 touchdown passes, rushed for 506 and four touchdowns and completed 70.9 percent of his passes in 2020.

Texas running back Bijan Robinson has the top odds outside of quarterbacks at +2500 (PointsBet). He’s +3000 at BetMGM.

–Field Level Media

Jan 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Reggie Bush at NFL Network press conference at Georgia World Congress Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NCAA: Not restoring Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman Trophy

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Reggie Bush remains a Heisman hopeful, but the NCAA ruled his 2005 trophy will remain vacated due to benefits violations in place during his eligibility at Southern Cal.

As Name, Image and Likeness bylaws were approved earlier this month, Bush made a plea to the Heisman Trust to restore the 2005 Heisman Trophy and career records with the Trojans.

“Although college athletes can now receive benefits from their names, images and likenesses through activities like endorsements and appearances, NCAA rules still do not permit pay-for-play type arrangements,” the NCAA said in a statement to ESPN. “The NCAA infractions process exists to promote fairness in college sports. The rules that govern fair play are voted on, agreed to and expected to be upheld by all NCAA member schools.”

Following a 2010 investigation, the NCAA ruled Bush accepted cash and other improper benefits from USC, which also furnished his parents with an apartment and spending allowance. USC also lost scholarships and vacated the 2004 BCS national title.

The Heisman Trust operates independently of the NCAA and pushed the decision to the college sports governing body.

“Bush’s 2005 season records remain vacated by the NCAA and, as a result, under the rule set forth by the Heisman Trust and stated on the Heisman Ballot, he is not eligible to be awarded the 2005 Heisman Memorial Trophy,” the statement said.

–Field Level Media