Ok, we here at BOTRC don’t actually have Heisman ballots. But if we did, here’s how we’d vote!
Will
1.) Johnny Manziel
Tim Tebow broke the SEC total-yardage record and got himself a Heisman as a sophomore (the first underclassman to win the trophy). In 2010, Cam Newton broke Tim’s record and was awarded that same trophy. Fast forward to 2012 and we have: Johnny Manziel a redshirt freshman. As the two SEC quarterback Heisman winners before him; he now holds the SEC total-yardage record. He is also deserving of the Heisman, which is why he gets my vote.
2.) Manti Te’o
Te’o has gone through a lot this season; but has performed on the field despite losing his girlfriend and grandmother. He has also been invaluable too his team, without him they wouldn’t be playing for a National Championship. But this is not an award for the most valuable player to their team, it is an award for the best player in college football. If Johnny Football hadn’t stepped up, this may have been the year a defensive player finally won the Heisman again.
3.) Collin Klein
Klein started off the season on fire, and helped his team to an 11 and 1 record. But you cannot only pass for 15 touchdowns and win a Heisman. It just doesn’t happen, sure he ran for 22 more (which is amazing); but I needed to see a bit more in the air. I believe those with a real ballot will agree as Klein finishes third.
Eric
1.) Johnny Manziel
Sure, freshmen don’t win the thing, right? I don’t know how you can deny the year this kid has had. He plays in the SEC, for a team most pundits said would get trucked this season, and put up gaudy numbers in the process. He led his team to a 10-2 record along the way, beating Alabama on the road of all things. Ordinarily I don’t like to go with popular choices, but this season has left the race for the Heisman a largely two horse race between Te’o and Manziel and “Johnny Football” had a year too phenomenal to ignore. Give this year’s prize to the kid.
2.) Collin Klein
Kansas State’s signal caller began the season on the Heisman radar and while he’s had a remarkable year it may not have been strong enough. Klein led his team to 11 wins and though there was much love for him early, his numbers and media appeal faded in the end. He is deserving, he carried his team, and if not for an incredible season by the next guy on the list I think he would have won the trophy.
3.) Manti Te’o
Notre Dame’s all world linebacker is a force, but is he a force of one? The man is a tremendous player and deserving of many awards, but it’s a tougher road to the trophy for a defensive player and probably with good reason. His numbers are impressive, with the 7 INTs being particularly so, but can we look past what the other two have done?
Jameson
1.) Johnny Manziel
I had a really tough time picking this, but I’m definitely going with Johnny Manziel. Although his stats aren’t the best in any category, they’re near the top and Manziel was this Texas A&M team. Last year, the Aggies were mediocre team in the Big 12. This year, with new quarterback Johnny Manziel? They are #9 in the BCS, after beating Alabama. In the SEC. Yeah, this guy’s good. In my mind, he solidified his spot as the Heisman winner after absolutely picking apart the almost-NFL defense of Alabama. The Heisman’s also about excellence, and some plays that Manziel made just seemed impossible. That’s excellence. Did I mention that he can run?
2.) Manti Te’o
Manti Te’o was an absolute wrecking ball this year, helping the undefeated Fighting Irish to a National Title appearance. He also toughed through many things, including his grandmother and girlfriend dying the same week before their game against MSU. But let’s be real here, the Heisman is about on the field performance and not fighting adversity off the field. Also, if A&M went undefeated, we know that Manziel would’ve been handed the Heisman without even a competition, while if Te’o's team had 2 losses he wouldn’t even be in the running.
3.) Collin Klein
Collin was great this year. Once the Wildcats became the #1 team in the nation, Klein seemed to be the clear frontrunner for Heisman. All he needed to do was win a game on the big stage against Baylor, and….. he did not. If he were to win that game and win out, he would’ve probably won the Heisman.