Heisman History

The Heisman Goes to...
In a year of uncertainty, it's tough to guess who is going to win anything, especially a Heisman race that should be one of the closest votes in history. Names have been thrown around since the beginning of the season that we may not even remember, and now we finally have the final 4 candidates coolest looking trophy in sports. It seems that Tim Tebow is a lock to win it, even though a few weeks people were moaning and groaning that he shouldn't even be invited because hes a sophomore. I think that because he is a sophomore than more power to him, for being that good this year in his career. The same people who think a sophomore shouldn't be Heisman, think that HDTV and regular TV are the same. It's an old school thing that people like to stick to, and in a year of improbable events, why shouldn't a sophomore, who is the first college player to ever throw for 20 TD's and run for 20 TD's, get the award.

Always a Runner-Up, Never a Heisman
I'm not taking anything away from the other 3 candidates who had great seasons in a year where arguments can be made for 10 different players to win. History though could be made, and probably will as Darren McFadden enters another Saturday night in December looking for the Heisman, and may be a bit short again. Last year McFadden was 2nd to QB Troy Smith of OSU in the Heisman voting, and this year he could be 2nd to the Florida QB Tim Tebow. Only other people have been runner up for Heisman twice, and only 1 of them didn't win one eventually.

Hesiman Runner Up Twice
Glenn Davis Army '44 and '45
Charlie Justice UNC '48 and '49
Darren McFadden Arkansas '06 and '??

Glenn Davis did end up winning the Heisman on his third try in 1946, but for McFadden there probably won't be a third time, as he most likely will enter the NFL Draft in April. On the other hand though if McFadden can pull the small upset and beat Tebow, Chase Daniel (Missouri), and Colt Brennan (Hawaii) for the Heisman he would be only the fifth player to get 2nd in one year and than win the Heisman in another year.

Win and Place
Tom Harmon Michigan Win '40 2nd '39
Angelo Bertelli Notre Dame Win '43 2nd '41
O.J. Simpson USC Win '68 2nd '67
Herschel Walker Georgia Win '81 2nd '82
Darren McFadden Arkansas Win ?? 2nd '06

So for Darren McFadden there is some history he would like to make, and some history that he doesn't want to be a part of. Whatever happens, a Heisman trophy or a 2nd place finish never guarantees a great NFL career. There have been some awful NFL players win a Heisman with the luck of a good system in college. And there have been hundreds of great Hall of Fame players that never got close to a Heisman Trophy. 8 winners of the Heisman went on to become NFL Hall of Famers, and only 2 (John Elway Stanford and Steve Young BYU) runners up went onto the NFL Hall of Fame.

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