Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson, Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson, Michigan Wolverines linebacker/defensive back Jabrill Peppers and Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Dede Westbrook have been named as the five finalists for the 2016 Heisman Trophy. The announcement was made on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown.
Jackson has been the Heisman frontrunner all season, and has posted incredible numbers. He has racked up 3,390 yards through the air with 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions, but most impressively, he's the nation's eighth leading rusher with 1,538 yards and 21 more touchdowns. However, Jackson did not play great down the stretch as Louisville lost their last two games of the season against Houston and Kentucky.
While Jackson has faded late, preseason favorite Deshaun Watson shook off a slow start to the year and finished incredibly strong. His numbers are solid - 3,914 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and 15 interceptions with 529 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground - and has a head-to-head win Jackson's Louisville team.
Oklahoma managed to put two players into the final group, as both Mayfield and Westbrook have played prominent roles in Oklahoma's current nine-game win streak and Big 12 championship. Mayfield has recorded 3,669 yards with 38 touchdowns and eight interceptions through the air, along with six rushing touchdowns. Westbrook has been his favorite target all year with 74 catches for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns. Limited by injury in the first three games of the year, 1,311 of those yards and all of Westbrook's touchdowns have come since Oct. 1.
The only defensive player on this list, Peppers is trying to become the first predominantly defensive player to win the award since Charles Woodson in 1997. He has been great on that side of ball, racking up 67 tackles with four sacks, one forced fumble and one interception, but also spent time on offense, rushing for 167 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries. In fact, Peppers ended up playing 11 different positions for the Wolverines this year.
The winner will be announced at the Heisman Trophy ceremony on Saturday at 8:00 pm ET on ESPN.
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