Heisman Trophy 2023 – Jayden Daniels Wins Award

2023 Heisman Winner
Frank Coyle/ Voter

The Heisman trust announced during the ESPN televised that LSU’s Jayden Daniels is the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner. QB Daniels won the award off an outstanding 2023 season. The dual threat athlete put together a thrilling season of highlights vs top competition with both impact as a passer and runner. He is the 5th transfer in the past 7 years to win the Heisman award, following QBs, Caleb Williams, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Joe Burrow. All three QBs this year, Daniels, Nix and Penix were transfer players in recent years with only WR Marvin Harrison among finalists a career one school player.  This year’s voting marked the 12th time in the last 14 years that a QB won the Heisman award. Daniels is the first player since 2016 to win the Heisman award who did not play for a conference championship.

Daniels received 503 first-place votes and 2,029 total points to beat out two fellow transfer QBs in Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. (292 first place, 1,701 total) and Oregon ‘s Bo Nix (51 first place, 885 total), as well as Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (20 first place, 352 total) in a ceremony held at Lincoln Center in New York City. Florida State’s Jordan Travis placed fifth after receiving eight first-place votes for 85 total points.

Heisman Trophy Voting

LSU’s Jayden Daniels became the second straight transfer quarterback and the fifth in the past seven years to win the Heisman Trophy.

Players                         School             1st        Total
Jayden Daniels,             LSU                  503       2,029
Michael Penix Jr.,          Wash.               292       1,701
Bo Nix,                             Oregon             51         885
Marvin Harrison Jr.,       Ohio St.            20         352
Jordan Travis,                Florida St.         8          85
Jalen Milroe,                  Alabama           4          73
Ollie Gordon II,              Okla. St.           1          31
Cody Schrader,              Missouri            1          29
Blake Corum,                 Michigan           3          28
J.J. McCarthy,               Michigan           1          21

Visit www.Heisman.com  for in-depth details about all the programs in the Heisman trust.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy ballots went out to 928 electors, which includes 870 members of the media, 57 living Heisman winners and one overall fan vote presented by Nissan, premier partner of the Heisman Trophy. All ballots were submitted electronically to the independent accountants at Deloitte.

Frank Coyle is a longtime national scout of both College and NFL players. He is also a long-time member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 30 years.

Heisman Trophy Finalists
Daniels, Harrison, Nix & Penix

2023 Heisman Finalists Announced

The 2023 winner will be announced this Saturday night during the ESPN televised Heisman Trophy Ceremony, presented by Nissan, live from New York City.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. were named finalists for the 89th annual Heisman Memorial Trophy, announced live on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner will be announced during the televised Heisman Trophy Ceremony Presented by Nissan that will air Saturday (Dec. 9) at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Visit www.Heisman.com  for in-depth details about all the programs in the Heisman Award trust.

The Top 10 finishers will be featured on The Top 10 Heisman Trophy Reveal Show Presented by Nissan on Friday (Dec. 8) at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Frank Coyle is a longtime national scout of both College and NFL players. He is also a long-time member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 30 years.

This is the fifth year in a row there have been four Heisman finalists. The Heisman Trophy Trust announced in 2021 it will officially invite four finalists annually to New York City for the Heisman Trophy weekend. The Heisman Trophy Trust began officially inviting finalists to New York City in 1982.

Daniels, Nix and Penix Jr. are all also finalists for the Maxwell, Walter Camp Player of the Year and the Davey O’Brien Awards while Harrison is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.

Daniels, a senior quarterback from San Bernardino, Calif., has completed 236-of-327 passes for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with just four interceptions while also rushing for 1,134 yards and another 10 scores. A five-time SEC Offensive Player of the Week this season, he leads the nation in total offense (4,946), TDs responsible for (50), passer rating (208.0, currently above the NCAA record), yards per pass attempt (11.7) and rushing yards by a quarterback (1,134) while his 40 TD passes are tied for first. He became the first player in FBS history to rush for 200 yards and pass for 350 yards in a game when he did it against Florida on Nov. 11, collecting 372 yards through the air and 234 on the ground. The 606 total yards broke the SEC record. Daniels, the 2023 Johnny Unitas Award winner, became the fifth player in SEC history to reach the 50 touchdown mark in TDs responsible for. He also joined Heisman winner Johnny Manziel as the only other player in SEC history to pass for 3,500 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a season and is the eighth player to do it overall.

Harrison Jr., a junior from Philadelphia, Penn., and a semifinalist for the Maxwell and Walter Camp Player of the Year Awards, finished the regular season with 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. He averaged 18.1 yards per catch, the highest mark nationally among players with at least 60 receptions. His 14 touchdown receptions are tied for second in the nation while his 100.9 receiving yards per game are ninth. Harrison Jr. became the first Ohio State receiver with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in school history and had eight 100-yard receiving games this year. He had at least one touchdown catch in all but two games in 2023 and also rushed for two scores. Harrison Jr. was named the Big Ten Co-Offensive Player of the Week and the Maxwell Award Player of the Week after his 11-catch, 162-yard performance against No. 7 Penn State, which included the game-clinching touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Nix, a senior from Pinson, Ala., completed 336-of-435 passes for 4,145 yards while throwing 40 touchdowns and just three interceptions, leading the Ducks to an 11-2 season and a trip to the Pac-12 title game. His completion percentage of 77.2 leads the country (and is just off the NCAA record of 77.4), his 40 TD passes co-lead the nation and his passing yards, passing yards per game (318.8) and passer rating (186.24) are second nationally. Nix’s 4,373 total yards are also second nationally, which includes 228 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. His 336 completions broke 2014 Heisman winner Marcus Mariota’s Oregon program season record. He was the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week four times this season. Nix threw at least two TD passes in each game in 2023 and passed for over 350 yards five times. He was also named the 2023 Pac-12 Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year thanks to his 3.91 GPA as a graduate student in communications.

Penix Jr., a senior from Tampa, Fla., completed 307-of-466 passes for a nation-leading 4,218 yards with 33 touchdowns and nine interceptions while he also rushed for three scores. He led Washington to a 13-0 season, a Pac-12 Championship and trip to the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed. Penix Jr. opened the season by throwing for over 400 yards in his first three games, including a career-high 473 at Michigan State (the third-highest total in Husky history), and finished the season with nine games of at least 300 yards passing. Penix Jr., who threw three or more TD passes six times, leads the country in passing yards per game (324.5), is tied for third with 33 touchdown passes, is third in total offense (4200) and is fifth in completions (307). He was eighth in the 2022 Heisman voting.

Daniels is LSU’s third Heisman finalist and first since winner Joe Burrow in 2019. Harrison Jr. is Ohio State’s 10th finalist — the third most ever — and the Buckeyes’ first since C.J. Stroud in 2022. Nix is Oregon’s fourth finalist and its first since winner Marcus Mariota in 2014. Penix Jr. is Washington’s second finalist and first since Steve Emtman in 1991.

If Daniels were to win, he would be LSU’s third Heisman winner and first since Burrow. If Harrison Jr. were to win, he would be Ohio State’s eighth winner and first since Troy Smith in 2006. If Nix were to win, it would be Oregon’s second winner, joining Mariota. Penix Jr. would be Washington’s first winner.

There have now been 175 players invited to New York as Heisman finalists since the practice was first instituted in 1982.

The 2023 Heisman Trophy ballots went out to 928 electors, which includes 870 members of the media, 57 living Heisman winners and one overall fan vote presented by Nissan, premier partner of the Heisman Trophy. All ballots were submitted electronically to the independent accountants at Deloitte.

To apply for a media credential for the 2023 Heisman Trophy Weekend, please visit www.Heisman.com/media.

Frank Coyle is a longtime national scout of both College and NFL players. He is also a long-time member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 30 years.

Frank Coyle vote
#1 Michael Penix – Washington
#2 Jayden Daniels – LSU
#2 Bo Nix – Auburn

Caleb Williams was the 4th transfer in the past 6 years to win the Heisman award, following QBs, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Joe Burrow. All three QBs this year, Daniels, Nix and Penix are transfer players in recent years with only WR Marvin Harrison a career one school player.

Last year’s voting marked the 11th time in the last 13 years that a QB won the Heisman award.

Trojan’s Caleb Williams Wins Heisman Trophy

On Saturday night in New York city, Caleb Williams of Southern Cal won the Heisman Trophy award for 2022.  Williams outraced Texas Christian’s Max Duggan, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud and Georgia’s Stetson Bennett for college football’s most prestigious award.

Williams received 544 first-place votes. His 2,031 points easily beat out Duggan, who finished second. Stroud was third, followed by Bennett. Williams also won the Maxwell Award and Walter Camp award on Thursday night, symbolic of the nation’s best player.

Heisman Trophy 2022 Voting

Top-10 finishers in the Heisman Trophy voting. Ballots went out to 929 electors, which included 870 media members, 58 living Heisman winners and one overall fan vote:

Player                           1st-2nd-3rd       Total Pts

Caleb Williams              544-168-63        2,031
Max Duggan                 188-357-142      1,420
C.J. Stroud                   37-119-190           539
Stetson Bennett             36-65-111          349
Hendon Hooker             17-47-81            226
Bryce Young                 17-28-34             141
Blake Corum                 8-25-51              125
Michael Penix Jr.           9-20-47             114
Bijan Robinson              4-12-39             75
Drake Maye                  3-6-21                 42

Frank Coyle is a longtime national scout of both College and NFL players. He is also a long-time member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

His vote

1. J. Stroud – Ohio State
2. Caleb Williams – Southern Cal
3. Max Duggan – Texas Christian

Williams addressed his fellow contestants in attendance.
“I may be standing up here today, but y’all get to go to the College Football Playoff,” Williams said in his acceptance speech, in saluting the other finalists in front of him. “Guess you can’t win them all.”

Over the course of 13 games this season, the former five-star recruit from the Washington, D.C., area dazzled with his play, throwing for 4,075 yards and 37 TDs and only 4 interceptions. He rushed for 372 yards and 10 TDs, as a dangerous dual threat. He displayed excellent quickness and vision when protection broke down and was able to turn scrambling plays into huge plays and highlight runs.

Williams’ performance went beyond the numbers and highlights. His leadership turned a struggling Trojan program around in his initial season. After head coach Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for Southern Cal, Williams followed shortly.

Southern Cal has won 11 games this season currently for the first time since the 2017 season. With Williams under center, USC started 8-0 for the first time since 2006 and defeated both of its rivals — UCLA and Notre Dame in the same season for the 1st time since 2016.

Williams joins Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray as the 3rd QB under Riley to win the Heisman award. Riley also coached 2019 Heisman runner-up Jalen Hurts.

He becomes the 8^th USC player to win the award, though Reggie Bush’s 2005 Heisman remains vacated. He is the 3rd quarterback from the school to win following Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer.

Williams is the 4^th transfer in the past 6 years to win the Heisman award, following QBs, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Joe Burrow. This year’s voting marks the 11th time in the last 13 years that a QB has won the award.

Bama’s Bryce Young Wins 2021 Heisman Trophy
Back to Back Alabama Heisman Award Winners

Alabama’s QB Bryce Young parlayed an outstanding 2021 season to win the Heisman Trophy 2021 after leading the Crimson Tide to the SEC title early this month. Young also won the Maxwell Award, given to the best player in college football, and the Davey O’Brien Award, given to the nation’s top quarterback last week.

Young ran away in the voting of this year’s Heisman Trophy, winning the award in a ceremony in New York City on Saturday night. He built a strong resume with several big wins this fall, including a dramatic late overtime comeback vs arch rival Auburn. His best performance came in the SEC title game vs undefeated Georgia, the nation’s top ranked defense.

The sophomore is a former 5-star prospect from California. Young entered the season with huge expectations as the main choice to replace former Crimson Tide QB and NFL 1st-round pick Mac Jones.

During the national coaching convention this summer, Alabama coach Nick Saban let the media know that Young, without even starting a game, would become the highest earning name and image which becomes available to college athletes for the first time this year.

Young not only lived up to the hype, beginning with a 4 TD performance in a season-opening win over then-#14 Miami before going on the road to beat #11 Florida two weeks later. in a dramatic come-from-behind win at Auburn to close out the regular season and then by dominating Georgia and its top ranked defense in the SEC championship game a week later, that Young sealed his Heisman victory.

He showed the ability to keep calm under pressure, avoid the pass rush and find the open receiver. An accurate passer, he completed 68.0% of his attempts with few interceptions. Young’s final credentials included a strong 43 TD passes and only 4 interceptions.

With Young winning this year’s Heisman Trophy, Alabama became the sixth school to win the award in back-to-back seasons. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith won it last year. The Tide’s other recemt Heisman winners include running backs Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram II, all coming during the Nick Saban era.

Michigan defensive end and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Aidan Hutchinson finished second in this year’s voting, followed by Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett and Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud.

On Dec. 31, #1 Alabama will play #4 Cincinnati in the CFP Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

Heisman Trophy Watch 2021

Nov 12, 2021

QB Bryce Young – Alabama, Soph.
QB CJ Stroud – Ohio State, Fr.
RB Kenneth Walker III – Michigan State, Jr.
QB Caleb Williams – Oklahoma, Fr.
QB Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh, Sr.
QB Matt Corral – Ole Miss, Jr.

Heisman Trophy award for 2021 will be announced live on Dec. 11, 2021 at 8 pm on ESPN.
Frank Coyle has been a Heisman Trophy award voter for 28 years.

Top Candidates

QB Bryce Young – Alabama, Soph.
First year starter has taken SEC by storm. Two late SEC games vs Arkansas and Auburn may determine his chances.

QB CJ Stroud – Ohio State, Fr.
Freshman starter performed well vs a soft early schedule. Finishes vs three top Big Ten clubs, Purdue, Michigan St and Michigan puts him center stage.

RB Kenneth Walker III – Michigan State, Jr.
Big athletic runner has been dominant in the Big Ten. His final two games vs Ohio St and Penn St. gives him a change to make a final statement.

QB Caleb Williams – Oklahoma, Fr.
Freshman starter took over early this season and never looked back. Gets three big late games vs Baylor, Iowa St and Oklahoma that gives him a chance to move to the top of this list.

QB Kenny Pickett – Pittsburgh, Sr.
Record setting senior has directed a potent offense vs top clubs. Maybe got on the radar late but completing an impressive final season.

QB Matt Corral – Ole Miss, Jr.
Slick throwing junior had a strong first half. Late season injury may be hurt his chances, though a late test vs Texas A&M could change that.

Heisman Trophy Award 2018

The Heisman Trophy award will be announced Saturday night at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City. Three underclassmen, Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa, Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray and Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins will hoist the most prestigious individual award in American sports. This year the winner will have to prevail in what is expected to be one of the closest voting in the history of the award.

The difference between first and second place finalists has been huge in recent years. It has only been below 300 total points  twice in the past decade. In 2011, Robert Griffin III topped Andrew Luck 1,687-1,407 while in 2015 Derrick Henry edged Christian McCaffrey 1,832-1,539.

All three QB finalists this year produced historic seasons and were instrumental in their schools earning and winning major conference championships.

Frank Coyle’s vote
(Frank Coyle has been a voter in the Heisman Trophy for over 25 years)

1 QB Tua Tagovailoa – Alabama
2 QB Kyler Murray – Oklahoma
3 QB Dwayne Haskins – Ohio St

2018 Season

Tua Tagovailoa – Alabama
Passing
Yards   TD        Int         Comp% QBR
3353     37         4          67.7      94.2

Rushing
Yards   TD        YPC
190       5          4.0
Kyler Murray – Oklahoma
Passing
Yards   TD        Int   Comp%      QBR
4053     40         7          70.9      96.0

Rushing
YDS     TD        YPC
892       11         7.3

Dwayne Haskins
Passing
Yards   TD        Int         Comp% QBR
4580     47         8          70.2      86.9

Rushing
Yards   TDs      YPC
122       4          1.7

Heisman Memorial Trophy Winners
Year   Player            School
2017     Baker Mayfield  Oklahoma
2016     Lamar Jackson Louisville
2015     Derrick Henry    Alabama
2014     Marcus Mariota Oregon
2013     Jameis Winston Florida State
2012     Johnny Manziel Texas A&M
2011     Robert Griffin III Baylor
2010     Cam Newton     Auburn
2009     Mark Ingram II   Alabama
2008     Sam Bradford   Oklahoma
2007     Tim Tebow        Florida
2006     Troy Smith        Ohio State
2004     Matt Leinart       USC
2003     Jason White      Oklahoma
2002     Carson Palmer  USC
2001     Eric Crouch       Nebraska
2000     Chris Weinke     Florida State
1999     Ron Dayne        Wisconsin
1998     Ricky Williams   Texas
1997     Charles Woodson         Michigan
1996     Danny Wuerffel Florida
1995     Eddie George    Ohio State
1994     Rashaan Salaam           Colorado
1993     Charlie Ward     Florida State
1992     Gino Torretta     Miami
1991     Desmond Howard          Michigan
1990     Ty Detmer         BYU
1989     Andre Ware       Houston
1988     Barry Sanders   Oklahoma State
1987     Tim Brown        Notre Dame

Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

College Football Awards 2018 – SEC Dominates Award Winners

Heisman Trophy Winner will be announced on Sat, Dec. 8^th on ESPN at 8 pm
QBs, Tua Tagovailoa, Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins are Heisman Trophy Finalists

Maxwell Award
Outstanding Player
2018     Tua Tagovailoa Alabama
2017     Baker Mayfield  Oklahoma
2016     Lamar Jackson Louisville

Walter Camp Award
Player of the Year Award
2018     Tua Tagovailoa Alabama
2017     Baker Mayfield  Oklahoma
2016     Lamar Jackson Louisville

Doak Walker Award
National Running Back Award
2018     Jonathan Taylor            Wisconsin
2017     Bryce Love       Stanford
2016     D’Onta Foreman            Texas

Davey O’Brien Award
National Quarterback Award
2018     Kyler Murray      Oklahoma
2017     Baker Mayfield    Oklahoma
2016     Deshaun Watson           Clemson

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Outstanding Senior QB
2018     Gardner Minshew          WSU
2017     Mason Rudolph Oklahoma St
2016     Deshaun Watson           Clemson

Fred Biletnikoff Award
Outstanding Receiver
2018     Jerry Jeudy       Alabama
2017     James Washington        Oklahoma St
2016     Dede Westbrook           Oklahoma

John Mackey Award
Outstanding Tight End
2018     T.J. Hockenson Iowa
2017     Mark Andrews   Oklahoma
2016     Jake Butt          Michigan

Outland Trophy
Outstanding Interior Lineman
2018     Quinnen Williams          Alabama
2017     Ed Oliver           Houston
2016     Cam Robinson  Alabama

Lombardi Award
Nation’s Top Player
Announcement this weekend
2017     Bryce Love       Stanford
2016     Jonathan Allen  Alabama
2015     Carl Nassib       PSU

Rimington Trophy
Outstanding Center
2018     Garrett Bradbury           N.C. St
2017     Billy Price          OSU
2016     Pat Elflein         OSU

Chuck Bednarik Award
Defensive Player of the Year
2018     Josh Allen         UK
2017     Minkah Fitzpatrick         Alabama
2016     Jonathan Allen  Alabama

Bronko Nagurski Award
Defensive Player of the Year
2018     Josh Allen         UK
2017     Bradley Chubb  N.C. ST
2016     Jonathan Allen  Alabama

Dick Butkus Award
Outstanding Linebacker
2018     Devin White      LSU
2017     Roquan Smith   Georgia
2016     Reuben Foster  Alabama

Jim Thorpe Award
Outstanding Defensive Back
2018     Deandre Baker  Georgia
2017     Minkah Fitzpatrick         Alabama
2016     Adoree’ Jackson           USC

Lou Groza Award
Collegiate Place-kicker Award
2018     Andre Szmyt     Syracuse
2017     Matt Gay           Utah
2016     Zane Gonzalez  ASU

Ray Guy Award
Outstanding Punter
2018     Braden Mann    Texas A&M
2017     Michael Dickson           Texas
2016     Mitch Wishnowsky         Utah

Ted Hendricks Award
Defensive End of the Year Award
2018     Clelin Ferrell      Clemson
2017     Bradley Chubb  N.C. ST
2016     Jonathan Allen  Alabama

Campbell Trophy
Top-scholar Athlete
2018     Christian Wilkins            Clemson
2017     Micah Kiser       Virginia
2016     Zach Terrell       WMU

The Home Depot Award
Coach of the Year
2018     Brian Kelly        ND
2017     Scott Frost        UCF
2016     Mike MacIntyre  Colorado

Frank Broyles Award
Assistant Coach of the Year
2018     Mike Anthony Locksley  Maryland
2017     Tony Elliott       Clemson
2016     Brent Venables   Clemson

Lott IMPACT Trophy
Outstanding Defensive Player
2017     Josey Jewell     Iowa
2016     Jabrill Peppers  Michigan
2015     Carl Nassib       PSU

Paul Hornung Award
Most Versatile Player
2018     Rondale Moore Purdue
2017     Saquon Barkley PSU
2016     Jabrill Peppers  Michigan

Disney Spirit Award
Most Inspirational Player or Team
2018     Tyler Trent         Purdue
2017     Iowa     Iowa
2016     James Conner   Pittsburgh

Wuerffel Trophy
Top Community Servant of the Year
2018     Drue Tranquill    ND
2017     Courtney Love  UK
2016     Trevor Knight    Texas A&M

Frank Coyle is a long time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

QB Baker Mayfield Wins Heisman Trophy

QB Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma completed an incredible road to the Heisman Trophy award Saturday night when he earned 732 first-place votes and the most prestigious award in sports. Mayfield’s journey included walking on at Oklahoma after spending a year as a walk-on at Texas Tech. His outstanding senior season won the 83rd Heisman trophy this year in a wide margin after being a 2016 finalist.

Photo – QB Baker Mayfield – Oklahoma

Mayfield collected 732 first-place votes and 2,398 points in the voting totals. He finished ahead of Stanford running back Bryce Love (1,300 total points) and 2016 Heisman winner Lamar Jackson of Louisville (793).
The Sooners QB had the 3rd-highest % of total points in a Heisman-winning vote since 1950. His 86 percent trailed only Marcus Mariota’s 90.9 percent (Oregon, 2014) and Troy Smith’s 91.6 percent (Ohio State, 2006).

Mayfield became the first senior to win the Heisman since Smith in 2006. On Thursday night, he won the Davey O’Brien (best QB) and Maxwell (player of the year) awards. The Associated Press and Walter Camp awards also named him their player of the year.

Mayfield led #2 Oklahoma to a 12-1 record and a Big 12 championship this season. On Jan. 1, the Sooners will take on Georgia in the Rose Bowl Game in the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff.

The NCAA began allowing athletic scholarships in 1950 and yet no player ever won the Heisman Trophy who started his career as a walk-on. Mayfield, the Oklahoma quarterback whose storybook saga began with him walking on at Texas Tech, captured the 83rd Heisman in a landslide victory.

Baker Mayfield became a star quarterback at Oklahoma and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff 2017. “It’s a dream right now,” he said.
“This is unbelievable for me, being up here among these greats,” Mayfield said upon receiving the award with past Heisman winners standing behind him. “It’s something that words can’t even describe. God has put me in this position that I’m so blessed, and a lot of times I wonder why. But it’s such an honor to be up here. It’s unbelievable.”

Go to http://www.heisman.com for extensive history and information on the Heisman Trophy

Mayfield has put together one of the most impressive individual offensive seasons in the college football history. The Sooners will open the playoff against Georgia in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Mayfield completed 71% of his passes and thrown for 4,340 yards and 41 TDs with only five interceptions. He is averaging 11.8 yards per passing attempt, which would shatter the FBS record that he set last season.

His NFL Draft 2018 journey will begin after the College playoffs where his height will become an issues. He will create a wide range of options and will be a ‘Wild card’ prospect in one of the best QB classes over the past few decades.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

Jackson, Love and Mayfield
Named 2017 Heisman Finalists

The 2017 Heisman Winner will be announced this Saturday on ESPN.
Heisman Trophy winners Desmond Howard (’91) and Charles Woodson (’97) this week that the finalists for the 83rd annual Heisman Memorial Trophy are Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, Stanford running back Bryce Love and Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield. The announcement of the finalists was made on ESPN’s 6:00 PM EST telecast of its Monday Night Countdown show.

The three finalists will be invited to New York City for the Heisman Trophy announcement on Saturday, December 9, which will broadcast live on ESPN starting at 8:00 PM EST, presented by Nissan North America.

Photo – QB Lamar Jackson – Louisville

Jackson, a true junior, is the reigning Heisman winner and a two-time Heisman finalist. He aims to become the first two-time Heisman winner since Archie Griffin in 1974-75. He joins Ty Detmer, Jason White, Matt Leinart, Tim Tebow and Johnny Manziel as Heisman winners who made it back to New York as a finalist. The 6-3, 218-pound Jackson, who hails from Pompano Beach, Fla., guided the Cardinals to an 8-4 record while accumulating 4,932 yards of total offense and 42 total touchdowns. He threw for 3,489 yards and 25 touchdowns through the air and racked up 1,443 yards and 17 scores on the ground to become the first player to pass for over 3,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards in two seasons.

Love, a true junior, is Stanford’s sixth Heisman finalist and seeks to join Jim Plunkett (’70) as his school’s second Heisman winner. The lightning-quick 5-10, 195-pound true junior from Wake Forest, NC, rushed for 1,973 yards and 17 touchdowns this fall, averaging a stellar 8.32 yards per carry. Despite missing one game due to injury and being hobbled in other games, he was second in the nation in rushing and led the nation with 10 runs of 50 yards or more. The Cardinal finished 9-4 and earned a trip to the Alamo Bowl.

Mayfield, a redshirt senior, is a repeat finalist after finishing third in the vote in 2016. He has a chance to become the sixth Sooner Heisman winner and the first Heisman winner to begin his career as a “walk-on” athlete. He’s also one of seven players to finish in the top 5 of the Heisman vote three times, joining Heisman legends Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard of Army, Doak Walker of SMU, Archie Griffin of Ohio State, Herschel Walker of Georgia and Tim Tebow of Florida. Mayfield is on pace to shatter his own NCAA record for passing efficiency with a mark of 203.76. The 6-1, 222-pounder from Austin, Texas, threw for 4,340 yards and 41 touchdowns, with another 310 yards and five scores on the ground while leading the Sooners to a 12-1 record, the Big 12 title and a berth in the College Football Playoff. He finished fourth in the 2015 Heisman balloting.

The Heisman Memorial Trophy electorate, which selects the finalists and the Heisman winner, is comprised of 929 voters, including 870 media members and 58 former Heisman winners. The public at large is granted one overall fan vote, thanks to Heisman’s Premier Partner, Nissan North America.

Go to http://www.heisman.com for extensive history and information on the Heisman Trophy

“It’s a pleasure to welcome these three outstanding players to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony,” said Rob Whalen, Executive Director of the Heisman Trophy Trust. “We look forward to recognizing their remarkable individual accomplishments and celebrating the winner of the Heisman Trophy on Saturday night.”

Tickets are still available for the 83rd Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Dinner Gala on Sunday, December 10, at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. The winner will be presented with his award at this event, where three former Heisman winners will also be recognized: Gary Beban (UCLA, 1967) on the 50th Anniversary of his award, Gino Torretta (Miami (Fla.), 1992) on the 25th Anniversary of his award and Tim Tebow (Florida, 2007) on the 10th anniversary of his award. The Trust will also recognize legendary pro golfer Ernie Els as the 2017 Heisman Humanitarian Award winner for his support of people with autism.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a long-time member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 20 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for ESPN, Fox Sports and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites