Heisman Trophy Finalists 2013: Jameis Winston Named With 3 Other QBs and 2 Running Backs
BySix finalists were named to the Heisman Trophy ballot, but it may be moot, as there seems to be little debate as to who will win the award, ESPN reported.
The final ballot includes four quarterbacks: Jameis Winston, Johnny Manziel, Jordan Lynch and AJ McCarron, and two running backs: Tre Mason and Andre Williams. The group accounts for the most Heisman finalists since 1994.
All six will attend the announcement ceremony in New York on Saturday, aired on ESPN at 8 p.m. EST.
Winston, a highly regarded recruit for Florida State, lived beyond his expectations and has led the Seminoles to an undefeated season and an appearance in the BCS National Championship game. For several weeks now, he has been the favorite to win the trophy, which would make him the second freshman ever to win it only a year after the first.
Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, the first freshman to ever win the award last year, will try to be the second person ever to win more than one Heisman Trophy. Two lackluster performances in losing efforts to close out their season have put a huge damper on his chances.
Northern Illinois' Jordan Lynch put together an outstanding season in which he ran for at least 300 yards in a game twice. His team's loss in the MAC Championship was their first loss of the season, but their weak schedule will likely play a factor in Heisman voting.
AJ McCarron could not will the Alabama Crimson Tide to beat Auburn in the Iron Bowl, but the loss was hardly his fault. A pure pocket passer, McCarron has proved over and over he does not crumble in big games. If not for an ill-advised field goal attempt and an 109-yard touchdown return on the miss, his team would likely be facing Florida State in the BCS National Championship.
Auburn's dynamic back Tre Mason was a large contributor to that thrilling Iron Bowl game. He wore the nation's best defense down with 29 carries for 164 yards and a touchdown. But his most eye-popping game of the season came against Missouri for the SEC Championship, where he ran for 304 yards on 46 carries, scoring four time. That win sent Auburn to face Florida State for the Crystal Football Trophy.
Finally, Boston College's Andre Williams is the clear dark horse for an award that has become hard for non-QBs to win. Williams is just the 16th player in FBS history to run for at least 2,000 yards. While his team could not beat ACC opponents like Clemson or Florida State, it did not stop him from having a historic season for a college football running back.