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College Title Chase and Heisman Trophy Award

Tue, 09/01/2009 - 00:49 — Frank Coyle

Welcome to Frank Coyle's new Blog. He will post here regularly with news, updates, and insights.

College Title Chase and Heisman Trophy Award
Frank Coyle has been a Heisman Trophy voter for the past 15 years

The upcoming college season presents an interesting group of premier players rated as the top Heisman Trophy candidates. For the first time, there are two former Heisman Trophy winners in Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow returning with each hoping to become only the second player in college history to win two of the games’ most coveted award. Only riunning back Archie Griffin of Ohio St. has won two Heisman Trophy Awards during the Woody Hayes power teams of the 1970s
This year the top three vote getters return from last year, all QBs, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy are each back at the helm with highly ranked teams that should make the both the Heisman Trophy award and national championship race highly competitive battles with the winning player and team probably claiming both trophies. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Texas’s Colt McCoy face a key matchup in early October in the Red River Rivalry that will have a strong bearing on both the Heisman Trophy and National title races. I voted for Colt McCoy last season and felt the late loss to Texas Tech probably cost him the coveted award. If a Texas defender could have tackled TT wideout Michael Crabtree at the yard line we might be discussing Colt McCoy pursuing a second Heisman Trophy award this fall. Such is college football.
Florida’s Tim Tebow will lead the Gators in an attempt to repeat as national champions and his second Heisman award. Only two teams since the 1980s have repeated as national champions and the Gators certainly have several critical components inline to claim another title. Tebow actually received the most first place votes in the Heisman Trophy last year, but came in 3rd in the overall voting. Florida plays in the tough SEC, but faces an average schedule this fall with no Alabama, Auburn or Ole Mss on the regular schedule. A key early SEC matchup with LSU in October could have a strong bearing on both the national title and Heisman races and eventual winners in those prestigious awards

Heisman Trophy Preseason Candidates

QB Sam Bradford - 6’3” 215 lbs - Oklahoma
Athletic fourth year junior QB has had an incredible early career with the Sooners that includes winning the Heisman award last season. He is a big tough passer who has a quick compact delivery with good touch and fine accuracy. He has progressed quickly in all aspects of play and has gained valuable experience after starting the past three seasons in this premier program. His chances of repeating as the Heisman winner may hinge on his performance in the Red River Rivalry vs Texas’s Colt McCoy in a head to head classic. He is a good runner and shows the ability to throw effectively on the move as well as move quickly within the pocket. He needs to refine his game in all areas related to the NFL and will be working with many new offensive starters this fall.

QB Tim Tebow - 6’4” 220 lbs. - Florida
Savvy senior passer has developed nicely in the efficient pro style Gator. He has a good arm with a nice touch and the quick release to get the ball to receivers. He has shown fine arm strength with nice development especially in his accuracy. He won the Heisman award as a sophomore in ’07 and actually earned the most first place Heisman ballots last year when he finished 3rd in the overall balloting. He looks to compete vs Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy for both the Heisman award and national title in what looks like the winner takes all competition. He shows the ability to make the difficult throw and the quickness in the pocket to avoid a rush. His decision making is his greatest asset which has minimized mistakes throughout his early career. He is a terrific runner in the mold of Steve Young with the ability to beat you with his arm or feet.

QB Colt McCoy - 6’3” 210 lbs. - Texas
Savvy senior QB has started the past three seasons and hopes to elevate his game over his critical final season. He has made some big plays and put up fine numbers in the Longhorns balanced attack. He faces a critical October schedule that puts him head to head with Sam Bradford and Zac Robinson that could be the deciding games for both the Heisman award and Big 12 title. He is coming off a strong performance as a junior and is capable of another huge effort and leading the Longhorns the national title. He needs to impress during key matchups to be in the hunt for the elusive Heisman Trophy.

QB Terrelle Pryor - 6’5” 230 lbs. - Ohio St.
Athletic sophomore QB looks to lead the Buckeyes spread offense again and are the leaders for another Big Ten title. He is an incredible runner with tailback type skills including natural running skills and breakaway speed. He came on strong over his true freshman season gaining valuable experience vs top competition. He is exceptionally quick in the pocket and capable of making big plays with his feet and pressures a defense in a unique way. He needs further development in his throwing mechanics to be ready for the NFL game along with further work on recognizing defenses. He faces both Southern Cal and Illinois in September which could propel him into the thick of the Heisman race early. His fine athleticism makes him one of the premier athletes at the position

QB Zac Robinson - 6’3” 215 lbs. - Oklahoma St
Slick throwing senior QB looks to continue his impressive display in this wide open passing attack. He hopes to make a strong impression in head to head battles with Texas and Oklahoma QBs McCoy and Bradford. He came on strong over his sophomore and junior campaigns that make him one of the nation’s most productive passers. He has the talent to lead this explosive offense to national prominence working with talented weapons wideout Dezmon Bryant and runner Kendall Hunter. He is quick in the pocket and capable of running or spraying the ball around to a number of receivers with a nice understanding of defenses after extensive valuable playing experience.

Frank Coyle’s Heisman vote 2008
1. QB Colt McCoy - Texas
2. QB Tim Tebow - Florida
3. QB Sam Bradford - Oklahoma

Heisman Trophy 2008 Official Finish
1. QB Sam Bradford - Oklahoma
2. QB Colt McCoy - Texas
3. * QB Tim Tebow - Florida
4. QB Graham Harrell - Texas Tech
5. WR Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech

* Received the most first place votes in the Heisman voting 2008

Cowboys' Wideout Dez Bryant Suspended by NCAA

Thu, 10/08/2009 - 10:41 — Frank Coyle
BryantOSU.jpg

Bryant Suspended Indefinitely for Lying to NCAA

Photo - Dez Bryant - Oklahoma St

One of the top prospects at the receiver position for the NFL 2010 Draft, Oklahoma St junior wideout Dez Bryant has been ruled ineligible for violating an NCAA bylaw. The powerful 6’2” 215 lb. receiver was ruled ineligible by the school after he reportedly lied to the NCAA officials about a visit and workout at the home of former NFL star defender Deion Sanders earlier this fall. Bryant is a blue chip prospect for the NFL and is coming off a huge sophomore performance last season when he had 87 receptions with 19 TDs for over 1,500 yards while averaging over 17 yards per catch. We ranked him in the Top 20 Prospects for the NFL Draft 2010 with Top 10 potential if he declares for the pro game this January.
The NCAA interviewed Bryant twice earlier this year about allegations at which time he denied that he had visited Sanders. That was proven false, but the fact that he lied to the NCAA is a violation that led to the suspension. Oklahoma St University has already begun the process of applying to the NCAA on his behalf for reinstatement. This incident does not involve anyone associated with the OSU football or athletic department staffs, any employee of the university, alumni, donors, or any third-party affiliated with OSU.
OSU is taking this step because Bryant failed to openly disclose to the NCAA the full details of his interaction with a former NFL player Sanders who is not affiliated with OSU. Bryant will definitely sit out Saturday at Texas A&M; though he was already listed as doubtful because of a hamstring problem.

I will have exclusive interviews with key people on this matter that will be part of the October Newsletter this month.

The University issued the following statement from Bryant: “I made a mistake by not being entirely truthful when meeting with the NCAA. I sincerely regret my mistake and apologize to my teammates, coaches, OSU fans and the NCAA.”
OSU coach Mike Gundy said: “We are certainly disappointed, but we are moving forward as we would with any challenge during the season.” Due to the ongoing investigation of this matter, OSU has no additional comment at this time.

NCAA Bylaw 10.1 -- Unethical Conduct
Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or a current or former institutional staff member (e.g., coach, professor, tutor, teaching assistant, student manager, student trainer) may include, but is not limited to, the following: (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/9/96, 2/22/01)
(d) Knowingly furnishing the NCAA or the individual's institution false or misleading information concerning the individual's involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation;