2020 NCAA Heisman Finalists Break Down

On December 24th, the four finalists for the 2020 Heisman trophy were announced. The Heisman memorial trophy, won last year by Joe Burrow, commemorates the most outstanding player in NCAA football. The candidates for this year's trophy are Clemson’s Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Alabama’s Quarterback Mac Jones, Florida’s Quarterback Kyle Trask, and Alabama’s wide receiver Devonta Smith. Here is each player's case to be the 2020 Heisman Memorial Trophy winner.

Honorable Mention: Najee Harris, RB Alabama

The most notable omission from the Heisman finalist list was Alabama running back Najee Harris. After watching Harris all season, and after considering his stats, I feel that Najee Harris at least deserved to be a finalist. I believe that Najee Harris had as good of a Heisman case as any to make it a 5 candidate race this year. 

Currently, Harris is 3rd in the NCAA in rushing yards with 1262. He is 2nd in yards from scrimmage with 1578, narrowly behind Iowa State’s Breece Hall. Najee Harris is by far the leader in touchdowns from scrimmage this season with 27 total touchdowns, five more than 2nd place. He also leads in rushing touchdowns with 24, 5 more than Hall. Harris this season has only one less touchdown than Derrick Henry did his Heisman winning season, despite playing 4 fewer games. With a teammate at quarterback and wide receiver as Heisman candidates, Harris has been able to still find the endzone more than any other skill position player. To me, that deserves consideration and a spot as a Heisman finalist. 

Mac Jones, QB Alabama

Redshirt junior quarterback Mac Jones has led 11-0 Alabama to the #1 ranking in the country. Jones lead Alabama to an SEC championship victory over Florida, and has his Crimson Tide as the #1 seed in the College Football Playoffs. He has completed 250 of his 327 passing attempts for a nation-leading 76.5% completion percentage. He also leads the nation in passing efficiency rating, with a rating of 202.3. He is 2nd in the nation in passing yards with 3739, 3rd in passing touchdowns with 32, and has only thrown 4 interceptions in 11 games. He has led Alabama to the most points per game for any power 5 conference, the Crimson Tide averaging 49.7 points per game. In 2020, Jones has been the head of the best offense in all of college football, and looks to add a Heisman Trophy alongside a potential National Championship.

Kyle Trask, QB Florida

Redshirt senior quarterback Kyle Trask leads in virtually all quarterback categories this season. He leads the league in completions with 285, passing yards with 4125, and passing touchdowns with 43. Trask finished with a 69.7% completion percentage and only threw 5 interceptions, leading Florida to an SEC title game and an 8-3 record. With Trask at the helm, Florida led the nation in passing yards per game with 388.4. The Gators averaged 41.6 points per game.

Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson

The college football world has been patiently waiting for Trevor Lawrence to get his shot at the Heisman award. Ever since he led Clemson to back to back National Championships, losing only one game during that span, fans have wondered when it would be Lawrence’s time to hoist the Heisman. It may be his year, with Lawrence turning in another great regular season. Lawrence was named ACC Offensive Player of the Year after leading Clemson to an ACC title victory over Notre Dame. Clemson currently is the 2nd seed in the College Football Playoffs, and are undefeated under Lawrence.

Lawrence has improved statistically from last season. He boasts a 69% completion percentage, completing 198 of his 286 passes. He has thrown for 22 touchdowns in 9 games and rushed for an additional 7 touchdowns. He has only thrown 4 interceptions this year. Lawrence has not yet lost a game this season starting for Clemson, he was unavailable for Clemson’s previous loss this season to Notre Dame due to COVID-19 protocols.

Devonta Smith, WR Alabama

How good has Devonta Smith been this season? He is the first wide receiver to be a Heisman finalist since Dede Westbrook in 2016, a year that included 5 candidates. He has been the most dominant receiver, leading the nation in receptions with 98, as well as in receiving yards with 1511. He has over 300 more receiving yards than runner-up Elijah Moore. He is 2nd in the nation in receiving touchdowns with 17. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year. In the toughest conference in football, Devonta Smith has stood out and easily been the best skill position player in all of college.

My Pick For Heisman

I truly believe that for the first time since Desmond Howard in 1991, the Heisman should be given to a wide receiver. Against top competition in the SEC, Devonta Smith has looked like a man amongst boys this year. He has the accolades to back him up this year with his SEC Offensive Player of the Year Award, and he has the dominant stats to back up his selection. I do not believe that Kyle Trask should be the Heisman after missing out on a College Football Playoffs Berth, and I don’t believe that Mac Jones stats are nearly as good as Trask’s. Lawrence, I don’t feel you can make that much of a case for after the regular season statistically. Smith was the most dominant player on the top team in college football this season, and I believe that should win him the Heisman.

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen