The college football regular season is over, well, except for the Army-Navy game. The Heisman race is now complete, with the finalists announced Monday, Dec. 5th and the Trophy awarded Saturday, Dec. 10th. So, just who will win the trophy this year?
It's not the greatest Heisman trophy race ever, with the top contender (Lamar Jackson) fading down the stretch. Will he still win the Trophy, or will another player like Deshaun Watson take home the hardware. We've trimmed the list down from it's usual 10 to just the top five. And with that in mind, here is our official Heisman Trophy ballot this year.
5. QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma Sooners
There are several options for the number five spot (even if none have a chance of winning), but we're going with Baker Mayfield. Yes, Mayfield struggled in those two early Oklahoma losses and doesn't get the benefit of an extra championship game, but he's been great since then. He's recorded 3,669 yards, 38 TDs and eight picks through the air, plus 6 rushing TDs. Those numbers but him in line with past Heisman winners. But, he's only at our no. 5 spot, and there's another Sooner above him.
4. QB Jake Browning, Washington Huskies
The loss to USC, and the poor play in the process, helped kill Jake Browning chances. But he does have some solid stats: 63.2% passing, 3,280 yards, 42 TDs, 7 INTs and 4 rushing TDs. But there is some east coast bias and although he might get an invite to New York, he likely won't win. He faded a bit down the stretch and that cost him a top 3 spot.
3. WR Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma Sooners
I was worried about how OU would replace an amazing WR in Sterling Shepard. I didn't need to be, as Westbrook has been incredible. He's caught 74 passes for 1,465 yards and 16 TDs and added a punt return TD because why not. Mayfield said he thinks Westbrook should win. While Westbrook doesn't get our vote, he does get the nod above Mayfield.
2. QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson Tigers
Watson came into the year as one of the Heisman favorites, but hasn't looked as sharp as he did last year. While he did make a big statement against Louisville, he's struggled at other points. His numbers, including an extra game, are solid: 3,914 yards, 37 TDs, 15 INTs and then 529 yards and 6 TDs on the ground. But that's a step down from what he did last year and he's turned it over even more than Lamar Jackson. Even with the head to head win, Watson doesn't have the same resume that Jackson does.
1. QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville Cardinals
Even with all the flaws he has, Jackson should still win the Heisman and he has our vote. He's carried Louisville this season. He's their leading rusher, his receivers constantly drop passes and his O-Line has issues blocking. Despite that, he's racked up 3,390 yards through the air with 30 TDs and 9 INTs. He's the No. 8 rusher in the nation with 1,538 yards and 21 TDs. He's not a great Heisman winner, but Jackson deserves the trophy this year.
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