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Frank Coyle's Blog
College Title Chase and Heisman Trophy Award

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Photo QB Sam Bradford - Oklahoma
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 running 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.

One Man's Vote - Heisman, Outland & Thorpe

Heisman Trophy Vote

Photo - Tim Tebow - Florida

The 2008 Heisman Trophy voting will be announced this weekend on ESPN with Tim Tebow hoping to become only the 2nd player in college football history to be nominated a two time winner. Tebow won the award last season off a great sophomore performance and would be the only player in history along with Ohio St's running back Archie Griffin to be a two time recipient. Tebow has responded with another huge effort this fall including some last minute heroics vs Alabama in the SEC title game that ranks him with the top candidates. That performance could earn him the prestigious Heisman. Colt McCoy of Texas has had a great season and has directed Texas to a near perfect season except for some last minute heroics by the Texas Tech offense. McCoy earned our vote off a consistently fine '08 season that included huge performances vs highly regarded Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Texas Tech their most critical Big 12 matchups. Sam Bradford of Oklahoma also had a terrific '08 performance including a huge effort vs Missouri in the Big 12 title victory.

Frank Coyle 2008 Award Votes

Heisman Trophy Vote
1. Colt McCoy - QB - Texas
2. Tim Tebow - QB - Florida
3. Sam Bradford - QB - Oklahoma

Outland Trophy vote
#1 Andre Smith - OT - Alabama
#2 Michael Oher - OT Mississippi
#3 Duke Robinson - OG - Oklahoma

Jim Thorpe Ballot
#1 Malcolm Jenkins - CB - Ohio St
#2 Eric Berry - S - Tennessee                    
#3 Taylor Mays - S - USC     

COLLEGE FOOTBALL AWARDS FINALISTS -
(listed alphabetically)

Photo - RB Knowshon Moreno - Georgia

Finalists for The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards - live on ESPN, Thursday, Dec. 11, from 7:30-9:30 p.m.- have been announced. Quarterbacks Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, Graham Harrell of Texas Tech, Colt McCoy of Texas and Tim Tebow of Florida highlight the list of contending outstanding student-athletes. The show, hosted by ESPN's Chris Fowler, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, will originate from the Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney's Boardwalk at the Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fl.
The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards features the live presentation of nine awards, along with the recipients of Disney's Spirit Award; The Home Depot Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA (National College Football Awards Association) Contributions to College Football Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.

Complete List of Award Finalists

Outland Trophy (best interior lineman)
Michael Oher, Ole Miss
Duke Robinson, Oklahoma
Andre Smith, Alabama

Doak Walker Award (best running back)
Shonn Greene, Iowa
Knowshon Moreno, Georgia
Javon Ringer, Michigan St

Jim Thorpe Award (best defensive back)
Eric Berry, Tennessee
Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio St
Taylor Mays, USC

Maxwell Award (best all-around player)
Graham Harrell, Texas Tech
Colt McCoy, Texas
*Tim Tebow, Florida

Chuck Bednarik Award (best defensive player)
James Laurinaitis, Ohio St.
Ray Maualuga, USC
Aaron Maybin, Penn St.

Biletnikoff Award (best receiver)
Dez Bryant, Oklahoma St.
*Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
Jeremy Maclin, Missouri

Knowshon Moreno Heads Heisman Race

Photo - Knowshon Moreno - Georgia

Pro Prospect '08 Scouting Report
Knowshon Moreno - 5'11" 215 lbs. - Soph - Georgia
Electrifying tailback returns after an outstanding '07 performance in the SEC. He is an imposing back who is very quick to the hole with an excellent burst of speed through the hole. He has good change of direction skills to create running lanes and the breakaway speed to go the distance every time he touches the ball. He explodes thru the hole that allows him to get to the second level consistently and break tackles and outrun defenders. He shows good hands as a receiver but must improve further as a route runner. He is a third year sophomore and a prospect we scouted earlier after an All-American career as a New Jersey HS star. He has natural openfield running skills to makes him a threat to hit the home run regularly, in addition to the power to run inside and carry the game to game load. He could one of the nation's best player and capable of being one of the super blue chip prospects for the NFL Draft '09 if he declares in January.

Heisman Trophy Candidates ‘08 - Top Ten

Photo - QB Chase Daniel - Missouri

1. QB Tim Tebow - Florida - 6’3” 230 lbs. - Jr.
Tebow is a rare returning Heisman Trophy winner who looks to match Archie Griffin as the only two time winner. He had one of the best offensive seasons in college history last year with over 4,000 combined passing and rushing yards and an incredible 55 total TDs. He put up incredible numbers including 234 completions of 350 attempts for 67% and 3,286 yards, 32 TDs and 6 interceptions. He also carried 210 times for another 895 yards and an amazing 23 TDs . With most returning starters to the Gators offense that was nationally ranked and scored over 40 points a game, Tebow can light it up again this fall. He is a threat to both pass and run and can win another Heisman trophy with strong games vs top SEC clubs.

2. Knowshon Moreno - RB - Georgia - 5’11” 215 lbs. - Soph
Another blue chip Georgia tailback and former New Jersey great running back. He exploded onto the scene with a tremendous freshman campaign that included 248 carries for 1,334 yards for a fine 5.4 yard average. He rushed for 14 TDs and added 20 receptions for 253 yards. It was one of the greatest freshman seasons on record almost duplicating former Bulldog runner Hershel Walker and NFL great Marshall Faulk. His best performance came against arch rival Florida when he ran for 188 yards and 3 TDs that were vital in the Georgia victory. He is a developing back who continues to get bigger and combines fine quickness, speed and power. He can also catch the ball and has the package to be a complete feature back. The Georgia-Florida matchup on Nov.1st may determine the Heisman winner with several prime candidates on both squads.

3. Chase Daniel - QB - Missouri - 6’ 225 lbs. - Sr.
Senior passer led the Tigers to their 1st Big 12 championship game last season. He is a savvy performer in the Tigers’ spread offense with fine leadership and extensive experience. He won Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year last season and is the favorite to do it again. Last season, he had 384 completions of 563 attempts for a 68% rate for 4,306 yards, 33 TDs and 11 interceptions. He will have one of the most versatile weapons in the nation in soph WR Jeremy Maclin. He is a winner and puts up impressive numbers as one of the nation’s more consistent leaders. He is geared for another huge season and with big performances vs Illinois and Texas, he could be easily one of the finalists for this award.

4. Pat White - QB - West Virginia - 6’1” 190 lbs. - Sr.
Electrifying athlete has rare talent for the position with the skills to be a dual threat and capable of beating a team with his feet as well as his arm. He is the ideal option type QB with great running skills and underrated passing ability. As a junior, he had 144 completions of 216 attempts for a fine 66% rate for 1,724 yards, 14 TDs, 4 picks with 197 rushing attempts for 1,335 yards for a 6.8 yard average and 14 rushing TDs. Over his career, he has been a huge winner and a difference maker on the W Va club the past last 3 years directing one of the most explosive attacks in the nation. He is capable of a fast start this fall and ranking among the best going into key midseason contests.

College Football '07 Award Winners
Florida's Tim Tebow Wins Maxwell & O'Brien Awards
LSU's Glenn Dorsey wins Outland & Nagurski Trophies

Photo - Florida - QB Tim Tebow

players listed alphabetically)
List of all Finalists - x - This year's winner

Maxwell Award (best all-around player)

Dennis Dixon - QB - Oregon
Darren McFadden - RB - Arkansas
x - Tim Tebow - QB - Florida

Outland Trophy (best interior lineman)

Anthony Collins - OT - Kansas
x - Glenn Dorsey - DT - Louisiana St
Jake Long - OT - Michigan

Rotary Lombardi Winner

Walter Camp Foundation Announces Five Finalists for 2007 Player of the Year Award

Action Photo - QB Tim Tebow - Florida

New Haven, Conn. - The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the five finalists for its 2007 Player of the Year award. Four quarterbacks - Chase Daniel (Missouri), Dennis Dixon (Oregon), Matt Ryan (Boston College) and Tim Tebow (Florida) - are on the list along with running back Darren McFadden (Arkansas), a finalist for the second straight season.

The 2007 Walter Camp Player of the Year recipient, voted on by the 119 Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors, will be announced live on the 6:00 p.m. edition of ESPN SportsCenter on Thursday, December 6. The winner will then receive his trophy at the Foundation's annual national awards banquet on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the Yale University in New Haven.