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Attributes of Typical Heisman Trophy Winners Essay

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HEISMAN DILEMMA

The Heisman Trophy: symbol of unquestionable superiority among fellow NCAA division 1-A athletes . . . or is it? This unique honor is awarded to the player who the Heisman panel believes is the “best” player in 1-A. The award can be given to a player of “any position,” or so the Heisman committee says. There has never been a Heisman candidate who hasn’t been a quarterback, running back, or multi-purpose skill player (for example: someone who plays wide receiver, defensive back, and is a situational running back). Does the Heisman Trophy really determine who the best player (and therefore best NFL prospect) is? I can prove who will win the Heisman this year, but should that person be the Heisman winner? Kirk …show more content…

6. The winner cannot be an obvious product of his team’s system.
7. If you are a quarterback, running back, or multipurpose athlete at a traditional power, have a very good statistical season, are an upperclassman, and your team wins at least nine games, you have a very good chance to win. “Traditional powers” qualify as:
Notre Dame, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Ohio State,
Michigan, Miami, or Florida State.
8. Statistical Benchmarks for each position in order to just be considered for the Heisman:
Running Back: Must score at least 17 touchdowns and gain
1,700 all-purpose yards;
Quarterback: 20 touchdown passes, 3,000 yards, 2-1 touchdown- interception ratio, and at least a 135 passer rating; if you are a “running quarterback,” you need 1000 yards rushing and need to be a decent passer.
Multi-threat athlete: Must make big plays on both sides of the ball, and consistently make big special team plays, specifically punt and kick returns.
9. There will never be another 2-time Heisman winner.
10. The winner must be likeable. (Herbstreit)

Let’s just take a look at the Heisman winners of the past 5 years. Matt
Leinart (2004 Heisman winner), Jason White (2003 winner), Carson
Palmer (2002 winner), Eric Crouch (2001 winner), and Chris Weinke
(2000 winner) met all ten Heismandments. Fifteen out of the last twenty winners have belonged to a “traditional power” (the “traditional powers” are listed above.

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