Can Ndamukong Suh Win The Heisman?

[Tenta]

Well, he's already in the finalists position, and I must admit, I'm shocked he got there to begin with. I'm fairly certain I had someone like Jimmy Clausen getting in, backed by a biased media that doesn't typically accept Linemen, and the natural bias for Notre Dame that the media seems to have.

Having said that, he's here, and he's probably the best player college football has to offer. Easily the Nagurski award winner for 2009, the man has 50 tackles, 16 for a loss, and twelve sacks on the year, including a forced fumble and an interception. Simply put, the guy was a program changer for Nebraska. Without him, this would be a middling Big 12 team, and with him, they are winners of the Big 12 North. The man simply changes games, and is clearly the best player right now going in the NCAAs, regardless of position.

So the question is simple.... Does Suh have as much of a chance to win the Heisman as he deserves?

 

[Big Sexy]

He has a chance, but it's a very small chance. Suh has two things going for him.

1. No one really stands out this year. No one really went out and wowed everybody. Most years there are only one or two guys that everyone thinks will get the award. This year it is completely up for grabs. Some voters may have a guy like Tim Tebow winning the award, well others may not even have him in their top 5.

2. A lot of voters waited until after the championship games to send their votes in. Suh put up his best performance of the season against Texas and a lot of voters who were watching to see how McCoy would do, ended up being impressed with Suh

Suh also has a few things going against him.

1. Only one defensive player has ever won the Heisman Trophy. Charles Woodson did it back in 1997 on an undefeated Michigan team.

2. Nebraska wasn't that good this year. For some reason the Heisman voters tend to place too much emphasis on how good the teams are. The award usually goes not to the best player, but the best player on the best team. Nebraska went 9-4 and they did it in a very weak Big 12 North.

3. Mark Ingram. Ingram happens to not only be on the best team, he also may very well be the best player in the country. Ingram rushed for over 1,500 yards, had 15 rushing tds, and averaged 6.2 yards per carry. He also had over 300 yards receiving and 3 tds. The numbers he put up are even more impressive considering the defenses he was putting them up against. The SEC is a tough conference and it is not easy to put up rushing numbers like that against those teams.

Ingram also came up huge in some of Bama's biggest games.
At Virginia Tech- 26 rushes 150 yards and 1 td
At Ole Miss- 28 rushes for 172 yards and 1 td
South Carolina- 24 rushes for 246 yards and 1 td
LSU- 22 rushes for 144 yards
Florida- 28 rushes for 113 yards and 3 tds

So to sum everything up. Does Suh have a chance? Sure he does, it's a small one but a chance none the less. Will he win it? No.

 

[One Punch Doug Crashin]

I don't think he's going to win the Heisman persay. the Heisman has always been about a QB or a Tailback. however I wouldn't be surprised if he did I mean the guys been amazing this year. I can't wait for Goodell to fuck up his name at the draft.. that'll be hilarious

 

[Theo Mays]

Suh seems to have been gaining a following the last few weeks and is riding high on the hype that is being put on him. I for one had Suh second on my ballot (if I had one). CJ Spiller would have gotten my first place vote. I'm a big fan of Suh. He reminds me so much of Kevin Williams of my beloved Vikings. Suh is just dominant from the DT spot and out of the five finalists he should win. Will he, doubt it. But I know come Saturday I will be rooting for him to win the Heisman, as I believe he is the most deserving of the 5.

 

[NSL]

No...But, he should.

With the names of Tebow and McCoy on the ballot, that's already enough for him to not even sniff 2nd. He had a great season, and it's definitely a shock to see a DL invited, but it's just that...A shock, and a chance for them to try and save face with the fans, but it will go to one of the quarterbacks.

 

[gd]

Absolutely no chance whatsoever. One, he's a defensive player. Two, he's a lineman. Three, he plays for a bad team. He may be the best player at his position and will likely be an outstanding pro, but that's not what the Heisman is about. It's about big names on big teams who put up big numbers. The Heisman is something that is reserved for skill position players, mostly QBs, of national contendors. Some people may not like it, but that's the way the trophy has evolved.

There have been mentions of corners who have won the award above, but it's been due to the spectacular, highlight material returns, not their tackling ability.