The Heisman Trust committee has selected the five individuals that will be in New York City for the 82nd Heisman Memorial Trophy presentation, which is scheduled for Saturday, Dec.9 at the Playstation Theater.
Per the committee, the finalists are Lamar Jackson (QB, Louisville), Jabrill Peppers (LB, Michigan), Deshaun Watson (QB, Clemson), Baker Mayfield (QB, Oklahoma) and Dede Westbrook (WR, Oklahoma).
Alabama’s Jalen Hurts and Jonathan Allen were in the conversation for much of the year.
Hurts, a true freshman, leads one of the best offenses in college football. The Crimson Tide averaged 40.5 points and 471.3 yards through an undefeated season (13 games). Hurts accounts for 2,592 passing yards (65.3 percent), 841 rushing yards and 34 total touchdowns to nine interceptions.
While he’s made some mistakes, Hurts has the luxury of a stellar defense to help him. Allen, a senior, runs the most fierce unit in the nation. Behind him, Alabama leads college football in scoring defense (11.8 ppg), rush defense (63.4 ypg) and defensive efficiency (98). The Tide is third nationally in total defense (3,222 yards) and sacks (45). Allen has been credited with 56 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hurries.
He’s tied for the team lead in scores with two, both of his scores coming on fumble returns.
Despite Allen declaring for the NFL Draft after the College Football Playoff, the committee’s decision will light a fire under Hurts for 2017. The 6-foot-2, 209-pound signal caller should be in good position to run the table as a sophomore, if he continues to improve upon his game.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
