SEC Debate: Who would you pick for Heisman other than Derrick Henry?
Alabama running back Derrick Henry is the popular pick to win the Heisman on Saturday night, and he has been ever since his upstaging of LSU RB Leonard Fournette on Nov. 7.
However, there’s some other good candidates out there, including the two other finalists that will be in New York, Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey and Clemson QB Deshaun Watson. There are several others out there as well.
We asked our staff for their Heisman winner not named Derrick Henry.
IF YOU COULD PICK SOMEONE OTHER THAN DERRICK HENRY TO WIN THE HEISMAN, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Christopher Smith (@csmithSDS): Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield
Much like TCU’s Trevone Boykin in 2014, the Sooners brought in a new offensive coordinator and a new offensive system, and boom — the team’s quarterback excelled. Mayfield has accounted for 42 offensive touchdowns as a dual-threat quarterback, and he’s protected the ball as well. His only multi-interception game came against Tennessee in a double-overtime win. He threw one pick in his last five games. He’s completing nearly 70 percent of his passes, averaging a tremendous 9.6 yards per attempt and he’s had a carry of 10 or more yards in seven consecutive games.
Chris Wright (@filmroomeditor): Clemson QB Deshaun Watson
I’ve thought all season that the nation was sleeping on Deshaun Watson, which is remarkable considering he’s the exciting, play-making QB on the No. 1 team in the country. Watson deserves the Heisman. I like to play “trading places” in these discussions.
Christian McCaffrey very likely would have put up similar numbers, if not better, if he were running behind Alabama’s line. There’s zero reason to think Henry wouldn’t have pummeled the Pac-12. Both would have put up huge numbers in Clemson’s offense too. The difference is, Alabama wouldn’t be any better or worse if you swapped running backs. Neither would Stanford.
John Brasier (@john_brasiersds): LSU RB Leonard Fournette
He’s the best player in the country. If he played for Alabama, he would’ve rushed for 2,500 yards. He didn’t slump late in the season. He had nowhere to run because LSU had no passing attack.
Tom Brew (@tombrewsports): Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey
When you are breaking Barry Sanders’ records, you’ve had one heck of a year. That’s why Christian McCaffrey of Stanford is going to get plenty of votes. I do think Derrick Henry is still going to win, but I think many people are going to be surprised how close this vote will be. I think McCaffrey will carry all the West vote.
Talal Elmasry (@TalalElmasrySDS): Stanford RB Christian McCaffrey
Other than Henry, the only player this season that’s put up truly distinguished, never-seen-before numbers is McCaffrey. He just broke Barry Sanders’ hallowed all-purpose yards record that Tom alluded to against USC, bringing his season total to 3,496, shattering the legend’s mark of 3,250. Against the Trojans in the Pac-12 title game, McCaffrey racked up 461 all-purpose yards with 3 TDs (1 rushing, 1 receiving, 1 passing). Meanwhile, getting 200-plus rushing yards and 100-plus receiving yards in the same game is no small feat as it had only been done four times previously (although the NCAA record book doesn’t seem to recognize Wyoming RB Brian Hill’s effort against Fresno State last season).
While Henry is the best bruiser in the country, McCaffrey is the most versatile player in the nation, period. That’s not to say I wouldn’t vote for Henry because I absolutely would. Henry is in position to go for 2,000 rushing yards, he’s posted four 200-yard rushing games, he’s scored a touchdown in every single game (multiple TDs in the majority of them) and he’s stepped up in Alabama’s biggest games. McCaffrey would be my next choice, though, as he’s also in position to rush for 2,000, and he has three 200-yard efforts of his own to go with 540 receiving yards. He’s been outstanding.