Next 'rule' to fall: A sophomore can't win Heisman
Posted: Friday, November 16, 2007 5:14 PM
With Kansas in line to make a run at the national championship and Notre Dame set for a 60-minute battle with Duke, this disorderly season has been all about breaking what were “the rules.”
So, it figures that this would be the year that the Heisman Trophy breaks away from its stodgy formulaic past and begins to take steps toward truly becoming what it says it is. Awarded annually to the nation’s “most outstanding college football player,” the Heisman has a history of being a lot more selective than that.
Ever since it was first given out in 1935, the Heisman has been exclusively the domain of upperclassmen. Only 14 juniors have taken home the 25-pound trophy. The rest have been seniors.
Hopefully Florida quarterback Tim Tebow changes this.
Although only a sophomore, Tebow is without question the “most outstanding college football player” in the country. There is little doubt about that. An argument certainly can be made for Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, but he’s more likely to take an award designated for the “best” player (yes, there is a difference).
Tebow, who plays in a manner not seen before, stands out loud and clear.
When looking at his entire set of statistics, you almost assume there’s a typo in there someplace. Through the air, he has accounted for 2,532 yards and 23 touchdowns. Equally dangerous on land, Tebow has rushed for 718 yards and 19 scores. He represents a combination of skills so unique that there isn’t anybody to compare him to.
If Tebow weren’t a quarterback, the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder could probably start for most teams at a variety of positions. He would be a devastating fullback (and pretty much already is) or an NFL-caliber tight end. What the heck? It would be really interesting to see him at defensive end.
You get the picture. Tebow’s a one-of-a-kind, do-it-all throwback. Lots of coaches will go looking for a quarterback cut from a similar mold, but we might not see one like the original for quite some time.
While Oregon senior quarterback Dennis Dixon is the latest Heisman candidate to be felled by an injury -- he's done for the season after tearing his ACL in Thursday night’s loss at Arizona -- Tebow has been playing through pain for most of the season.
His style will never allow him to avoid picking up bumps and bruises, but to continue to play at his elevated level with an injured right shoulder is simply amazing.
Last week at South Carolina, he ran for 120 yards and five touchdowns, while also passing for a career-high 304 yards and two scores.
Imagine what he’ll do on Saturday at home against Florida Atlantic.
They say that sophomores can’t win the Heisman. But that’s mainly because one never has before. Similarly, no one in SEC history has ever accounted for 42 touchdowns in a single season. Not a senior or junior. No one … until now, with Tebow.
Hopefully after the underclassmen barrier is broken, the Heisman will continue to evolve. Giving proper consideration to defensive players would be next (only one has ever won the award, Michigan defensive back Charles Woodson in 1997). And then, maybe standouts who play for teams that aren’t highly-ranked or national championship contenders could also join the party.
We all know that there are lots of players who fall into those three categories and deserved to be recognized. Unfortunately for them, we’ve come to accept their exclusion from this particular award due to the way the voters have approached their duties over the years. That is a shame.
While this turbulent college football season has created no shortage of elation and carnage, most of it will be relatively temporary. Here’s to hoping that one of the lasting effects of this memorable 2007 season is kicking off the process of making the Heisman more inclusive in the years to come.
