2012 Heisman Trophy Candidates
By Editorial Staff
Now that Baylor QB Robert Griffin III has been named the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, HuskerCorner looks forward to the 2012 season and who some of the early candidates are from Nebraska, the Big Ten and nationwide.
Husker Candidates:
Rex Burkhead – RB – Senior – 261 carries for 1,268 yards and 15 TDs
Why he has a shot: Burkhead is the clear leader for Nebraska’s offense. Husker Nation bows down to Burkhead, and his presence, especially in the fourth quarter, defined Nebraska football this season.
Taylor Martinez – QB – Junior – 152 for 272 passing for 1,973 yards, 12 TDs and 7 INTs; 172 rushes for 837 yards and 9 TDs
How he can take the next step: Martinez needs to show that he can be a playmaker week in and week out, especially in big games. While Martinez had a much stronger 2011 campaign, he had fewer dazzling runs and still failed to come up big in a few key games against Wisconsin and Michigan.
Big Ten Candidates:
*Montee Ball – RB – Wisconsin – Senior – 275 carries for 1,759 yards and 32 TDs
Denard Robinson – QB – Michigan – Senior – 133 for 237 passing for 2,056 yards, 18 TDs and 14 INTs; 208 rushes for 1,163 yards and 16 TDs
Silas Redd – RB – Penn State – Junior – 230 carries for 1,188 yards and 7 TDs
Braxton Miller – Ohio State – QB – Sophomore – 67 for 134 passing for 997 yards, 11 TDs and 4 INTs; 144 rushes for 695 yards and 7 TDs
Longshot: Kain Colter – Northwestern – QB – Junior – 53 for 79 passing for 660 yards, 5 TDs and 1 INT; 118 rushes for 589 yards and 8 TDs; 40 receptions for 454 yards and 3 TDs
Nationwide Candidates:
*Robert Griffin III – Baylor – QB –Senior – 267 for 369 passing for 3,998 yards, 36 TDs and 6 INTs; 161 rushes for 644 yards and 9 TDs
*Andrew Luck – Stanford – QB – Senior – 261 for 373 passing for 3,170 yards, 35 TDs and 9 INTs; 43 rushes for 153 yards and 2 TDs
*Trent Richardson – Alabama – RB – Senior – 263 carries for 1,583 yards and 20 TDs
*LaMichael James – Oregon – RB – Senior – 222 carries for 1,646 yards and 17 TDs
*Matt Barkley – USC – QB – Senior – 308 for 446 passing for 3,528 yards, 39 TDs and 7 INTs
Collin Klein – Kansas State – QB – Senior– 145 for 251 passing for 1,745 yards, 12 TDs and 5 INTs; 293 carries for 1,099 yards and 26 TD
Tyrann Mathieu – LSU – CB – Junior – 71 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 2 INTs; 33 punt returns for 420 yards and 2 TDs
Tajh Boyd – Clemson – QB – Junior – 274 for 453 passing for 3,578 yards, 31 TDs and 10 INTs
Marcus Lattimore – South Carolina – RB – Junior – 163 carries for 818 yards and 10 TDs (missed 5 games due to injury)
David Wilson – Virginia Tech – RB – Senior – 266 carries for 1,627 yards and 9 TDs
Tyler Wilson – Arkansas – QB – Senior – 257 for 407 passing for 3,422 yards, 22 TDs and 6 INTs
Aaron Murray – Georgia – QB – Junior – 218 for 371 passing for 2,861 yards, 33 TDs and 12 INTs
* – IF HE COMES BACK FOR HIS SENIOR SEASON
Husker Corner’s 2012 Heisman Trophy Prediction: Winner – Collin Klein, Runner-Up – Tajh Boyd
By Chris Peters
Photo Courtesy Getty Images