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Alabama's Mark Ingram Wins Heisman Award
Frank Coyle's Heisman Vote
The 75th annual Heisman Trophy award was awarded to Alabama's Mark Ingram in the closest voting in the history of the prestigious award. Ingram has been the catalyst for the Crimson Tide's #1 ranking and preparing for the BCS title game vs Texas next month. Ingram was the third consecutive sophomore to win the award and the first Alabama player ever to win the most coveted trophy in college sports.
The five finalists for the 75th annual Heisman Trophy award were announced this week. The total of five players will attend the ceremony in New York City at the Downtown Athletic Club on Saturday evening. All five players hail from BCS conferences; four of the five are seniors and from the offensive side of the ball. Here is the official finish of the five finalists and Frank Coyle's vote:
Photo – Heisman Trophy
Heisman Trophy 2009 Official Finish
#1 Mark Ingram - RB - Alabama
#2 Toby Gerhart - RB - Stanford
#3 Colt McCoy – QB - Texas
#4 Ndamukong Suh - DT - Nebraska
#5 Tim Tebow - QB - Florida
Frank Coyle's Vote
#1 Toby Gerhart - RB - Stanford
#2 Mark Ingram - RB - Alabama
#3 Colt McCoy - QB - Texas
Official Ballot accepts only the Heisman voters top three selections in a point system.
#4 Ndamukong Suh - DT - Nebraska
#5 Tim Tebow - QB - Florida
Here is my reasoning in a very competitive Heisman Trophy race. RB Toby Gerhart of Stanford led the nation in rushing and scoring and had huge performances vs top ten clubs, Southern Cal and Oregon when he rushed for over 200 yards vs both Pac 10 rivals. He was consistent throughout the entire season despite defenses focusing on him in every game. He made a significant difference on a team that has struggled to play even at the .500 level over the past decade. RB Mark Ingram of Alabama also had an outstanding ‘09 season, though his numbers and big game production was clearly below Gerhart’s efforts. He was a difference maker on a Tide club that will play for the national title vs Texas next month. QB Colt McCoy was a player I voted #1 for the Heisman Trophy last season. He had another excellent performance, leading the Longhorns to an undefeated season. He could win the award outright off a consistently strong senior season. DT Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska was a dominant defensive lineman who has been rated my #! Pro Prospect since August ’09 and never moved off the top spot. We will become only the 2nd defensive player to win the Heisman Trophy along with Charles Woodson should he win the balloting. QB Tim Tebow of Florida is a former Heisman Trophy winner as a sophomore and actually earned the most #! votes for the award last December when he finished 3rd in the overall balloting. He may go down in college football history as the greatest player of all time, though I rank him no better than the 5th best player for the current Heisman Trophy race.
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
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards. He has voted in the Heisman Trophy balloting for the past 15 years.
Heisman Finalists Announced
The five finalists for the 75th annual Heisman Trophy award were announced tonight. The total of five players will attend the ceremony in New York City at the Downtown Athletic Club this Saturday.
All five players hail from BCS conferences; four of the five are seniors and from the offensive side of the ball. Here are the five finalists:
Toby Gerhart - RB - Stanford
Mark Ingram - RB - Alabama
Colt McCoy - QB - Texas
Ndamukong Suh - DT -Nebraska
Tim Tebow - QB - Florida
Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards. His Heisman Trophy vote will be announced later this week.
Major College Award Finalists
Heisman Trophy Finalists
The 2009 Heisman Trophy Finalists will be announced Monday on the 6 pm EST edition of ESPN's SportsCenter. The voting will be completed this weekend with most voters waiting until after the Conference Championship and final regular season games. The top vote getters will attend the Heisman Trophy ceremony in NYC on Dec 12th. The expected top vote getters are Toby Gerhart of Stanford, Mark Ingram of Alabama, Colt McCoy of Texas, Tim Tebow of Florida and Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska. Scout Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc.
Photo - Running back Toby Gerhart - Stanford
Finalists for The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards – live on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN have all been announced. The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards will feature the live presentation of nine player awards, along with the recipients of Disney’s Spirit Award; The Coach of the Year Award, the NCFAA Award; and student-athletes selected to the Walter Camp All-America Team.
Updated Award Finalists
Manning and Hendricks Finalists Added
Outland Trophy (Best Interior Lineman)
Mike Iupati, Idaho
Russell Okung, Oklahoma St
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Jim Thorpe Award (Best Defensive Back)
Eric Berry, Tennessee
Joe Haden, Florida
Earl Thomas, Texas
Chuck Bednarik Award (Best Defensive Player)
Terrence Cody, Alabama
Brandon Spikes, Florida
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Maxwell Award (Best All-around Player)
Mark Ingram, Alabama
Colt McCoy, Texas
Tim Tebow, Florida
Walter Camp 2009 Player of the Year award
Mark Ingram, Alabama
Case Keenum, Houston
Colt McCoy, Texas
Tim Tebow, Florida
Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
Davey O’Brien Award (Best Quarterback)
Case Keenum, Houston
Colt McCoy, Texas
Tim Tebow, Florida
Finalists Manning Award
Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame
Andy Dalton, Texas Christian
Max Hall, BYU
Case Keenum, Houston
Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan
Ryan Mallett, Arkansas
Colt McCoy, Texas
Kellen Moore, Boise St
Tony Pike, Cincinnati
Tim Tebow, Florida
The winner will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 14.
Doak Walker Award (Best Running Back)
Toby Gerhart, Stanford
Mark Ingram, Alabama
C.J. Spiller, Clemson
Biletnikoff Award (Best Receiver)
Freddie Barnes, Bowling Green
Jordan Shipley, Texas
Golden Tate, Notre Dame
John Mackey Award (Best Tight End)
Dorin Dickerson, Pittsburgh
Aaron Hernandez, Florida
Dennis Pitta, BYU
Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Best Defensive Player)
Pat Angerer, Linebacker, Iowa
Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee
Terrence Cody, Tackle, Alabama
Jerry Hughes, End, Texas Christian
Ndamukong Suh, Tackle, Nebraska
Hendricks Award Finalists
Jeremy Beal (Oklahoma)
Brandon Graham (Michigan)
Jerry Hughes (Texas Christian)
Sergio Kindle (Texas)
Von Miller (Texas A&M)
Derrick Morgan (Georgia Tech)
Greg Romeus (Pittsburgh)
Butkus Finalists (Best Linebacker)
Sergia Kindle, Texas
Rolando McClain, Alabama
Eric Norwood, South Carolina
Brandon Spikes, Florida
Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri
Lou Groza Award (Best Kicker)
Kai Forbath, UCLA
Leigh Tiffin, Alabama
Blair Walsh, Georgia
Ray Guy Award (Best Punter)
Drew Butler, Georgia
Chas Henry, Florida
Zoltan Mesko, Michigan
George Munger Award (Best Collegiate Coach of the Year)
Al Golden - Temple'
Brian Kelly - Cincinnati
Gary Patterson - Texas Christian
Frank Coyle's Blog
College Title Chase and Heisman Trophy Award
Click on Frank Coyle's new Blog link. He will post there regularly with news, updates, and insights throughout the season and postseason.
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.
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.
