90.7 Heisman Rankings

90.7 Staff Heisman Rankings

Over the span of 79 long years, this award has been given to College Football’s top player. It not only reflects the way a player has preformed on the field, but also off the field, and how he has represented the game fans so desperately love. Of course I’m talking about College Football’s most prestigious award; the Heisman Trophy.

For years now the award usually has been given to the front runner from the start of the season, now it seems like anyone can win the award. Before Tim Tebow won it in 2007, only upper classmen have been blessed with receiving this trophy. Not to mention before Johnny Manziel took the award back with him to College Station, a freshman had never even been in the talks to win. With the season at a half way point, multiple members of the staff here at 90.7, have very strong opinions on who should win the award. So, with some quick thinking by the staff, and a bye week by the Crimson Tide. Here are some of the staff’s top picks for the Heisman. At the end, there will also be a consensus pick between the 6 members.

 

ANDY BASS’ PICKS (Host of Monday’s The Student Section)

1). Amari Cooper (Alabama)-There hasn’t been a more dominant player in college football this season. He’s had one down game all year and he’s breaking records left and right. Assuming Alabama wins out, he deserves it.

 

2). Dak Prescott (Mississippi St) -Despite Blake Sims having better numbers, Prescott is the candidate and deserves it. Great numbers and great leadership for an undefeated team.

 

3). Trevone Boykin (TCU) -His numbers are insane. He’s the most underrated passer in college football and TCU’s the most underrated team.

 

4). Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska) -Has a million 200 yard games this season alone and just set the Nebraska record for all-purpose yards in a game. Definitely going to get the carries to put up the  numbers to win it. Nebraska has to win out for him to have a chance though.

 

5). Marcus Mariota (Oregon) -Despite playing well, still has one loss and will lose again. He doesn’t have the numbers to win the Heisman especially if they lose again. Still he has played incredible.

 

 

 

KENDALL GRAYSON’S PICKS (Host of Crimson Tide Game Day)

1. Marcus Mariota (Oregon)
   

   photo by NFL.com

2. Amari Cooper (Alabama)

3. Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin)

4. Dak Prescott (Mississippi St)

5. Rakeem Cato (Marshall)

 

I think Marcus Mariota is the best player in the country. The best player in the country doesn’t always win the Heisman because usually it ends up being the best player on one of the best teams in the country rather than just the best player. Rakeem Cato is my wildcard pick because I think Marshall will go undefeated and be left out of the college football playoff.

 

 

SETH JUNEAC’S PICKS (Station Manager and Host of Thursday’s The Student Section)

 

1. Dak Prescott (MSST) – He IS the Mississippi State offense. That team is a two-loss, maybe even three-loss team without him. He will have plenty of other chances to further solidify his status (Alabama, Ole Miss and the SEC Championship), but Dak is the leader in the clubhouse right now.

 

2. Marcus Mariota (ORE) – It is going under the radar somewhat due to an early loss, but the maturation process for Marcus Mariota is nearing its completion. He is slinging the ball better than he ever has for a still-relevant Oregon team despite having a patchwork offensive line and no true standout receivers. As a matter of fact, five receivers on his team have at least four touchdowns on the year. That’s a quarterback playing his system to perfection.
   

   photo by zimbio.com

 

3. Amari Cooper (ALA) – Although I personally feel Kevin White of West Virginia is a better receiver, Coop has already set career highs in yards (1132) and receptions (71) this season with at least five games to surpass 11 touchdowns on the season. He could not play another down of football this year and probably be a finalist at this point. He is an irreplaceable cog in the Alabama offensive machine, and has made big plays down the stretch. If Alabama wins the SEC and makes it to the playoff, consider it Amari’s award.

 

4. Ameer Abdullah (NEB) – In a conference that features the equally-deserving and equally-amazing Melvin Gordon and Tevin Coleman, Ameer Abdullah sticks out the most to me. “Too small” for Alabama and Auburn (he’s from Homewood, near Birmingham), Abdullah has had an incredible season. Four games of 200-plus yards, he has found the end zone in every game. With Nebraska sneaking up the rankings, he could have a stage to show out on here in the coming weeks, whether against Wisconsin or Ohio State/Michigan State in the B1G Championship Game.

 

5. Trevone Boykin (TCU) – I think the Big 12 has quietly gone about their business and emerged as a challenger to the SEC in terms of conference strength. TCU’s dream season led by Trevone Boykin is a big part of that. As the signal caller in the nation’s best scoring offense (and a 21-3 TD-INT ratio to boot), Boykin is the perfect poster boy for the conference. A win over Kansas State this week would go a long way to solidify that.

 

 

COLE THOMPSON’S PICK’S (Head Alabama Football Writer, Co-Host on the Monday Student Section)

 

1). Dak Prescott (Mississippi St)- Prescott this season has shown on and off the field why he is deserving of this award. Much like Cam Newton in 2010 and Johnny Manziel in 2012, he IS the offense for the Bulldogs. He’s completed over 60 percent of his passes this season as well as had a total of 25 touchdowns (10 rushing, 15 passing) in just seven games. Even if the Bulldogs lose two games (Alabama, Ole Miss), Prescott should still be able to put up the numbers that will lead him to New York. Not to mention, his story is beautiful as well as heart-felt, he is one of the few players that represents what the Heisman trophy really means.

 

2). Amari Cooper (Alabama)- When you are shattering records against pretty talented teams, somehow or another you’ll find yourself in New York . Cooper slid off the gird last year with only five touchdowns, but since then has bounced back beyond belief. In just seven games Cooper has 71 receptions for over 1100 yards and nine touchdowns. Those are fantasy numbers you would find on a video game, yet Cooper is doing it week in and week out. Cooper may not have the size of a top receiver, but he has the athleticism of one and that’s why he deserves to be in at number two. Make no mistake, if he can put up big numbers and lead the Tide into the playoffs, the award should already have his name engraved.

 

3). Ameer Abdullah (Nebraska)- Since the start of the season, I said to keep an eye on a BIG 10 running back, personally I was talking about Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin. While Gordon and Indiana’s Tevin Coleman have really been the talk of the BIG 10, Ameer Abdullah has stolen the show with a late resurgence. After last weeks record breaking game against Rutgers, he has jumped back into my top five and with good reason. He already has four 200 plus games on the ground and has 17 touchdowns on the year. Not to mention he also has almost 1300 yards on the total season. No matter what Nebraska finishes, Abdullah will keep having big games like these, and will find his way in New York come December. Not bad for a kid from Homewood who was told he was too small to play in the SEC.

 

4). Marcus Mariota (Oregon)- While in my opinion he isn’t the top quarterback this season, Marcus Mariota is the most mature quarterback on the field. He has the ability to drive the ball down field and hit his targets at the speed of a bullet. Sure, an early loss to Arizona and two close games against Washington St. and Cal really moved him down on my board, but he still has a chance. He’s played to perfection and is deserving of his chance to be in New York. He already has 24 touchdowns and just 1 interception. Sure it may be biased but Mariota is just ONE of the many reason why Oregon is still alive. Since all three of the players before him are the only reason why there teams are doing well, Mariota slides down a bit.

 

5). Nick Marshall (Auburn)- Yes that’s right; there is an Auburn player here. What Marshall may lack in passing, he has made up for in running. Sure he may only have 11 passing touchdowns, but he also has seven rushing touchdowns. He has over 100 yards passing and has 581 rushing yards, (4 100 yard games). While Auburn may look great on paper, most of the thanks can come from Gus Malzahn or Marshall. Sure he has a long shot to win the award, but when you’re the top player on the field time in and time out, you at least deserve some recognition.

 

 

CONSENSUS PICK

1). Dak Prescott-(Mississippi St)

2). Amari Cooper- (Alabama)

3). Marcus Mariota- (Oregon)

4). Ameer Abdullah- (Nebraska)

5). Trevone Boykin- (TCU)

 

Cole Thompson is the Alabama Beat Writer for WVUA-FM. Follow him on twitter at @ColeThompson32