The Buzz: Heisman news and views
As we embark upon the 2018 offseason, here’s a little round up of Heisman chatter.
The Buzz
— Baker Mayfield is getting ready for the NFL draft. For that matter, so is 2016 Heisman winner Lamar Jackson, who announced he would skip his senior season. This marks the fourth time since 2010 that two Heisman winners will be available to be selected in the same NFL draft.
Mayfield’s final 2017 stats: 4,627 passing yards, 43 touchdown passes, 6 interceptions, 5 rushing TDs and an NCAA record efficiency rate of 198.92.
Jackson’s final 2017 stats: 3,660 passing yards, 27 touchdown passes, 10 interceptions, 1,601 rushing yards with 18 rushing TDs and a nation-leading 5,261 yards of total offense.
— Mayfield will play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 27.
— This year’s Heisman runner up, Stanford’s Bryce Love, will return for his senior season. Love was second nationally in rushing with 2,118 yards, to which he added 19 rushing touchdowns.
— Joining Love from the 2017 Heisman top 10 are 6th place finisher, running back Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin, who rushed for 1,977 yards and 13 touchdowns as a true freshman and 8th place finisher, quarterback Mackenzie Milton of UCF, who finished second to Mayfield in passing efficiency while throwing for 4,037 yards and 37 TDs with another 613 yards and 8 scores on the ground.
— Of course, no offseason would be complete without early speculation on the 2018 trophy. Here are way-too-early lists from CollegeFootballTalk and ESPN.
–Minnesota has a new display honoring its only Heisman winner, Bruce Smith.
— The 2004 Heisman winner is thinking of making a comeback.
— Herschel Walker will be the keynote speaker in March at an event to raise money for children’s disabilities.
— Charlie Ward has a new book out detailing his athletic legacy.
NFL Heismans
The big Heisman news from the NFL is that 2002 winner Carson Palmer has decided to retire. The 38-year-old Palmer was a 3-time Pro Bowl selection. Said Palmer:
“Over the years, I’ve had teammates who decided to hang it up and I would ask them how they knew when it was time to walk away. The answer was almost always the same: You just know.
“For me that time is now. Quite simply, I just know.”
Palmer finished his injury-riddled 15-year career with 46,247 career passing yards and 294 touchdown passes with a passer rating of 87.9. He threw for more yards in the NFL than any other Heisman winner, 12th-most overall. With his retirement, the role of senior Heisman winner in the NFL falls to 2008’s Sam Bradford.
— Here are the final stats of the seven active Heisman winners in the NFL in 2017. The injury bug was not kind to the Heisman this year.
Carson Palmer (injured), missed half the season due to a broken left arm, but still threw for 1,978 yards and 9 TDs.
Sam Bradford (injured), threw for 382 yards and 3 TDs as he missed most of the regular season with a knee injury.
Mark Ingram had his best year as a pro, rushing for 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns while adding another 58 receptions for 416 yards as the Saints made it to the second round of the playoffs.
Cam Newton led the Panthers to the first round of the playoffs, passing for 3,302 yards and 22 touchdowns while leading all quarterbacks with 754 rushing yards.
Jameis Winston threw for 3,504 yards and 19 scores and added 135 rushing yards.
Marcus Mariota led the Titans to the second round of the playoffs while passing for 3,232 yards and 13 TDs with 312 rushing yards.
Derrick Henry also helped the Titans to the second round of the playoffs, rushing for 744 yards and 5 TDs while working primarily as a backup this season.
Video of the Day
We will miss legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson, who recently passed away at the age of 89. Some of his most memorable calls are intertwined with Heisman history.
