The Heisman finalists are set, and there’s not a lot of controversy, unless maybe you thought Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy, or Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, or Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe were all deserving of a trip to New York.
None of those names are among the finalists for the trophy, but four were announced on Monday, where there have been years in recent past that only three made the trip.
Announced as finalists on Monday were (in alphabetical order) LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix, Bo Nix, Marvin Harrison named Heisman finalists ) That means those are the four that have received the most votes. There are 927 voters for the trophy, and this year, the Heisman Trophy trust allowed fans to have one vote (on Heisman.com) to make a total of 928 voters.
All four of the finalists had showcase games this year. Nix had two games against Washington, and played Utah, Arizona, Oregon State and USC; Daniels played Ole Miss, Missouri, Alabama and Texas A&M; Penix led Washington against Oregon twice, with two wins, as well as Oregon State, Arizona, USC and Utah, and still has the College Football Playoff semifinal against Texas to come; and Harrison, of course, had the games against Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Daniels threw for 3,814 yards, 40 touchdowns and four interceptions, and ran for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns, with the Tigers finishing the regular season with a 9-3 record, losing to Florida State, Ole Miss, and Alabama.
Harrison had 67 catches for 1,211 yards and 14 catches, and the Buckeyes’ only loss was to Michigan in the regular season finale for both teams.
The Ducks’ losses were both to Washington in two close games: a regular season loss, and then the loss in the Pac-12 title game. Nix threw for 4,145 yards, 40 touchdowns and only three interceptions, and also ran for three TDs.
And Penix has his Huskies undefeated, 13-0. He threw for 4,291 yards, 33 touchdowns and nine intereceptions.
The ceremony is Saturday evening at the Jazz at Lincoln Center; for many years it was held at the Downtown Athletic Club (1935-2000), beginning in 1935, the year the trophy was first presented. The first winner was University of Chicago running back Jay Berwanger.
Technically, the Heisman goes to the football player whose “outstanding performance which best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work.”
Southern Cal quarterback Caleb Williams won the award last year. There has only been one man to win the award twice: Archie Griffin, running back from Ohio State, doing so back-to-back in 1974-75. There has only been one defensive player ever to win the award (Charles Woodson, a defensive back from the University of Michigan, for his performance in the 1997 season).
The award is made of bronze, is 13 1/2 inches tall, 14 inches long, and weighs 45 pounds.
The trophy, since 2008, has been made by MTM Recognition in Del City, Oklahoma.
The voting deadline for this year was Monday (Dec. 4), and is been conducted online since 2007.
