Heisman Watch: Finalists

Story posted December 12, 2019 in CommRadio, Sports by Caleb Schweiger

Championship week in college football has been completed and the Heisman finalists have been announced. After a long season that saw this list get shaken up many times, let’s look at which one of these guys is going to be the one to get this prestigious award:

Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

Joe Burrow has been the favorite for some time now and watching him play makes it easy to see why. Burrow has 4,715 yards (a new SEC record) along with 48 touchdownss and a quarterback rating of 93.7. These stats are impressive but what is more impressive is the marquee wins he has earned this season. He has led the No. 1 LSU Tigers to wins over Florida, Auburn, Alabama, and Georgia. 

It is his award to lose at this point.

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Justin Fields, the No. 1 recruit of the 2018 class, has finally lived up to the hype after receiving minimal playing time at Georgia his freshman season. His 2,953 passing yards may not jump out at anyone but his extremely impressive 40-to-1 TD-to-interception ratio has everyone talking. Fields had his Buckeyes blowing out opponents in nearly every game, but his stats put him at a disadvantage.

Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

Jalen Hurts is the second transfer quarterback on this list and he has been phenomenal. You simply cannot say enough about the tenacity and will to win that this kid possesses. After losing the starting job at Alabama, he has shown the world that he is not done yet. The stats of 3,364 passing yards, 1,255 rushing yards, 36 total touchdowns only tell half the story of this kid.

After a tough loss at Kansas State, he didn’t flinch. They came back after being down 28-3 to beat Baylor and battled through the same Baylor team again to win the Big 12. Winner or not, Jalen Hurts has arguably shown more toughness than anyone in the entire nation.

Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

Chase Young has had his own fair share of adversity throughout this season as he was suspended two games for violating NCAA rules. This, however, did not stop him from getting a NCAA leading and Ohio State record 16.5 sacks. Young is a rare case as a defensive player in the Heisman watch, but he is much deserving of this honor. 

My winner: Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma

Do I expect Burrow to win? Yes. Do I think he should? No. Jalen Hurts has been too impressive and worked far too hard for this award to go to anyone else in my mind.

 

 

Caleb Schweiger is a freshman majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email cxs1943@psu.edu.