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College Football Crackdown Adeel Bari '15
By: Rrashid Date: December 5, 2012, 8:44 pm
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College Football Crackdown
Heisman Edition
By Adeel Bari
After a regular season of ups and downs for almost every
football team this season, there are always certain individuals
who seemed to have saved their teams’ seasons. In professional
sports we call them “Most Valuable Players” or “Players of the
Year.” Here, in the unique and diverse sport of college
football, the award we bestow upon our most outstanding player
can only be described with one word. Heisman. The Heisman trophy
will be awarded on December 8th to recognize the nation’s top
performer. This year, the 77th Heisman will be awarded to one of
three players, each going above and beyond the call of duty to
help his respective team succeed.
The first of these three players is Manti Te’o. The senior
linebacker led his 3rd ranked Notre Dame defense to an
undefeated regular season, ranking within the top 5 players in
the country in interceptions, tackles, assisted tackles, tackles
for loss, and sacks. Te’o’s performance has some Heisman voters
believing that he will be the first defensive Heisman winner in
over a decade. Scouts have salivated over the strength and
diverse skill set of Te’o. Manti can drop back in formation,
blitz the quarterback with ease, and be a leader for many NFL
franchises. Besides his on-field performances, voters sympathize
with Te’o loss of both his girlfriend and his grandmother in a
deadly car crash earlier this year back in his home state of
Hawaii. Even with this emotional strife, Te’o played through all
his grief, and voters truly feel that Manti Te’o is the
definition of what a Heisman Trophy candidate should be.
Second on the ballot is Kansas State Quarterback, Colin Klein.
Passing is not even Klein’s strongest skill, but his passing
rate is 66.7%. He has a knack for running the football out of
option sets by using his immense body and superior vision to
make smart and effective runs. Ranking second in the NCAA in
rushing touchdowns (23) and throwing only 7 interceptions
through 272 passing attempts, Colin has elevated his name to
such a high standard, which could be credited to his strong
mentality and athleticism.
“He’s the right-handed Tim Tebow,” noted Skip Bayless of ESPN.
Klein’s well rounded and consistent performances are just as
prevalent as his leadership ability, which he showcased this
year, taking charge of the Kansas State offense and leading them
to an 11 win season.
Finally, there is the Redshirt Freshman, Johnny Manziel of Texas
A&M. As only a freshman, Manziel, like Klein, used his powerful
legs and arms to lead his team to victory. Many voters will
probably be gravitating towards Manziel because of his efficient
passing patterns and his signature win against Alabama, which is
widely conceived as the nation’s top team. Manziel has been a
big underdog in this race not only because of his youth, but
also because of his absence to the media. Texas A&M freshman
athletes are not granted time to talk to the media in interviews
due to school rules. However, Head Coach Kevin Sumlin recently
convinced the school to make an exception for Manziel. In the
most recent USA Today/Coaches Poll, Manziel was a one vote
favorite against Klein and Te’o for winning the Heisman.
Tune in on December 8th to see the Heisman presentation on ESPN
as all three candidates will be flown into New York City to hear
one of their names called and crowned as the 2012 Heisman Trophy
Winner. Thank you for lending me your ear, and I hope you have a
great Bowl Season.
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