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What would it take for a defensive player to win the Heisman?
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:15 am
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:15 am
Serious question.
We have only had one, and he won it returning kicks and catching passes as well (adding 3 offensive and 1 special teams TD to his defensive resume).
We can all list some amazing defensive players:
Derrick Thomas
Cornelius Bennett
Nick Fairley
Glenn Dorsey
Jadeveon Clowney
Tyrann Mathieu
And on and on the list goes. Some with really amazing stats and records to their names, but no Heisman.
So the question becomes:
1. Will there ever be a defensive player to win it?
2. If so, what will they have done during that season to pull it off?
3. Is it even possible if they're not also playing another part of the game (special teams, occasional offensive plays)?
We have only had one, and he won it returning kicks and catching passes as well (adding 3 offensive and 1 special teams TD to his defensive resume).
We can all list some amazing defensive players:
Derrick Thomas
Cornelius Bennett
Nick Fairley
Glenn Dorsey
Jadeveon Clowney
Tyrann Mathieu
And on and on the list goes. Some with really amazing stats and records to their names, but no Heisman.
So the question becomes:
1. Will there ever be a defensive player to win it?
2. If so, what will they have done during that season to pull it off?
3. Is it even possible if they're not also playing another part of the game (special teams, occasional offensive plays)?
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Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:21 am to skrayper
After witnessing the honey badger in person, I said to myself if this cat doesn’t win the heisman I don’t think I will ever see a defensive player win the heisman. Dude was on an another level man. By far the best playmaker on defensive I have ever seen with my own eyes.
To answer your question:
1. I think it’s possible for it too happen. As the game progresses the talent keeps getting better and better.
2. Got to create turnovers and game changing plays. Just watch the honey badgers 2011 season. That’s exactly what you would need to do.
3. I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary but if your a defensive back trying to win the heisman you better be returning some punts for TDS. This is another thing that made TM7 so good.
To answer your question:
1. I think it’s possible for it too happen. As the game progresses the talent keeps getting better and better.
2. Got to create turnovers and game changing plays. Just watch the honey badgers 2011 season. That’s exactly what you would need to do.
3. I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary but if your a defensive back trying to win the heisman you better be returning some punts for TDS. This is another thing that made TM7 so good.
This post was edited on 4/20/20 at 11:32 am
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:25 am to skrayper
No offensive player having a solid regular season and every offensive Heisman contender having a horrible championship Saturday while said defensive player dominates.
This post was edited on 4/20/20 at 11:26 am
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:26 am to DhanTigers212
A db that can score on defense, return punts/kicks and maybe get snaps at wr
Stingley if he gets snaps as a jr at wr on a team that makes playoffs
Woodson comes to mind
Chase young was right there until he got That suspension and disappeared against michigan
Stingley if he gets snaps as a jr at wr on a team that makes playoffs
Woodson comes to mind
Chase young was right there until he got That suspension and disappeared against michigan
This post was edited on 4/20/20 at 11:30 am
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:27 am to DhanTigers212
quote:
After witnessing the honey badger in person, I said to myself if this cat doesn’t win the heisman I don’t think I will ever see a defensive player win the heisman. Dude was on an another level man. By far the best playmaker on defensive I have ever seen with my own eyes.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:27 am to skrayper
If guys like Teo, DT, Suh, Suggs can’t win it, it won’t happen unless a guy is a true two way player like Woodson. Mathieu had a shot being a ST contributor but I think his suspension gave him some bad press he couldn’t afford.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:28 am to skrayper
It would take a year with a list of underwhelming QBs and skill players, and a strong media push.
Maybe a year where the clear cut best player(s) are on teams that underperform and there’s a defensive/multi-purpose standout on an undefeated team.
Maybe a year where the clear cut best player(s) are on teams that underperform and there’s a defensive/multi-purpose standout on an undefeated team.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:29 am to skrayper
I don't think they can. It is a QB award now, with Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry being the exception over the last 20 years.
This post was edited on 4/20/20 at 11:31 am
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:30 am to skrayper
Points. He would have to score points. And it would have to be on the largest stage, after at least a year of hype and while there is no clear offensive winner. I could see it if it was a db that returned punts, kickoffs, had a couple pick sixes, caught some passes on offense etc.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:34 am to AHM21
quote:
No offensive player having a solid regular season
I think this adds to another problem: conferences with weak defenses.
Look at Oklahoma and the QBs they have that constantly go to the Heisman ceremony. Even so, not a single win in the playoffs/championship game since 2001 (despite many, many trips).
Oklahoma QB Heisman results:
2019 - 2nd
2018 - Won
2017 - Won
2016 - 3rd (OU WR 4th)
2015 - 4th
2014-2009 - No placement
2008 - Won
Not even looking at the Big 12 as a whole, but it becomes clear that, from a purely statistical model, if you want to be a shoe-in for the Heisman race at QB you go to OU. Actual national championships not applicable.
So it'll be hard to see someone having a bad regular season as a good (not necessarily great) QB in the Big 12.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:37 am to AHM21
This post was edited on 4/20/20 at 11:56 am
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:39 am to DhanTigers212
I don't remember where Honey Badger was in the discussion prior to his suspension, but I do recall he was in a lot of conversations. His shot may have been a long one, but he was probably the most likely defensive player to get a shot in the last decade at least.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:46 am to skrayper
If he had been returning kicks for the entire season, and had a couple more touchdowns, and had he finished that second return against Georgia, it's quite possible he would have won. He was amazing returning kicks, but he hadn't been doing it all that year. Also, the suspension definitely hurt. Think if he was the one returning that pick for a score against Auburn instead of Ron Brooks. He gets real close to doing it.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:48 am to skrayper
Depends.
How well can he throw the football?
It is what it is, I am afraid.
How well can he throw the football?
It is what it is, I am afraid.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:53 am to skrayper
Honey badger was a Heisman finalist.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:54 am to skrayper
They would have to be on a team that wins a national championship.
For example, Mississippi State has had some great defensive players in recent years, but they got very little recognition until draft day.
Contrast that to Dak who got a lot of hype despite playing on a team that didn’t do too hot his last year.
It’s easier to get recognition as a QB or even a RB than a defensive player. If you’re a defense player, your team has to get recognition before the media even starts paying attention to you.
For example, Mississippi State has had some great defensive players in recent years, but they got very little recognition until draft day.
Contrast that to Dak who got a lot of hype despite playing on a team that didn’t do too hot his last year.
It’s easier to get recognition as a QB or even a RB than a defensive player. If you’re a defense player, your team has to get recognition before the media even starts paying attention to you.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:57 am to skrayper
If he didn’t get suspended for smoking weed he was going to have a shot at the heisman in 2012.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:57 am to skrayper
When a defensive player scores more points in a season than the second best offensive scorer does. That's the only time it will ever happen. All sports are offensive-centric by nature. You don't win games unless you score points. At least that's the perception.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 11:58 am to AHM21
I hate to say it but HB looked lost in that game.
Posted on 4/20/20 at 12:00 pm to skrayper
A year like 2009. Ndamukong Suh was unblockable that season and was huge part of why Nebraska was great defensive team.
You only had three good Power 5 teams. And Nebraska nearly knocked off Texas in the Big 12 title game, paving the way for TCU or Cincinnati to play Alabama in Pasadena. If Nebraska wins that game, Suh is likely an even bigger challenger to Ingram for the Heisman.
You only had three good Power 5 teams. And Nebraska nearly knocked off Texas in the Big 12 title game, paving the way for TCU or Cincinnati to play Alabama in Pasadena. If Nebraska wins that game, Suh is likely an even bigger challenger to Ingram for the Heisman.
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