Draft Insiders' Digest Premier NFL Draft and Free Agency Publication
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.