First off, let me start by congratulating Johnny Manziel (a.k.a. Johnny Football) for becoming the first freshman in the history of college football to win the Heisman Trophy. Over the season, Johnny Football racked up over 4,600 yards of total offense, including 1,181 rushing yards and 43 TDs in arguably the toughest conference in college football.
His “Heisman Moment” came on November 10, 2012 when he passed for 252 yards, 2 TDs, and rushed for another 92 yards in the Aggies’ upset win over the #1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. His truly gaudy numbers, general improvisation, exciting play, and overall charisma make him a truly deserving winner. At the same time, a part of me can’t help but feel that Manti Te’o was hard done by yesterday’s result.
In the 78 year history of the Heisman Memorial Trophy Award, 73 players that have claimed this award have either been a quarterback or running back. The other 5 have been some combinations of wide receiver, punt returner, and kick returner. No purely defensive player has ever won the award, and there have only been a total of 23 defensive players (including Manti Te’o) to finish within the top five of voting. Last night, Manti Te’o finished with a total of 1,706 points, the highest point total any purely defensive player has ever received. It still wasn’t enough to make Heisman Trophy history.
With 103 total tackles, 7 interceptions, and 1 fumble recovery, Manti Te’o was clearly one of the most dominant players in college football and most NCAA coaches acknowledged as much. This fact was only further solidified by his winning of the Maxwell Award[1]and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award[2], two awards that tend to be dominated by offensive players.
The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award is supposed to be awarded to the player deemed the most outstanding player in collegiate football. Over the last 78 years, most outstanding has been synonymous with most exciting, and most statistically relevant/significant. And yesterday’s vote continued this trend.
The old football adage states that “offense wins games, and defense wins championships.” The 928 voters spoke in complete unison when they invited Johnny Football into the Heisman fraternity. Each member was saying … “Offense wins games … and Heismans”
P.S. The closest to “defensive player” to win the Heisman was University of Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson. In 1997, he dazzled college football but he won the award primarily because of his punt and kick returning ability.
P.P.S. On an aside, take a look at the list of talented freshman to not win this award in their first year ….
1. Adrian Peterson (RB) of Oklahoma finished second in 2004 after rushing for 1,925 yards and 15 TDs.
2. Michael Vick (QB) of Virginia Tech finished third in 1999 after amassing 2,420 total yards at 20 TDs.
3. Herschel Walker of Georgia finished third in 1980 after rushing for 1,616 yards and 15 TDs.
[1]The Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate football player judged by a panel of sportswriters, head coaches, and sportscasters to be the best football player in the United States.
[2]The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the collegiate football player judged by a group of NCAA Division 1 head coaches and sports directors to be the player of the year.