The finalists for the prestigious Heisman Trophy of 2023 have been unveiled, with an intriguing lineup that features three quarterbacks out of the four contenders. The upcoming Heisman Memorial Trophy ceremony promises to be yet another quarterback-centric celebration. The Heisman Trophy, colloquially known as The Heisman, is an annual accolade presented to the most outstanding player in college football. This honour is bestowed by the Heisman Trophy Trust in early December, preceding the postseason bowl games.
Instituted in 1935 by the Downtown Athletic Club, the award originally aimed to recognize "the most valuable college football player east of the Mississippi." The inaugural recipient was University of Chicago halfback Jay Berwanger. Following the passing of the club's athletic director, John Heisman, in October 1936, the award was renamed in his honour and extended to include players west of the Mississippi. Heisman's substantial contributions to college athletics, encompassing roles as a football player, head coach in football, basketball, and baseball, as well as an athletic director, underscore the rich history and significance of the Heisman Trophy.
ALSO READ| College Football Bowl Games 2023-2024: Full Schedule, Match Dates and Time
Heisman Trophy 2023 Finalists Names
LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Oregon quarterback Bo Nix and Washington quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. were named finalists for the Heisman Trophy on Monday.
1. Jayden Daniels
Position | Senior Quarterback |
University | LSU |
Hometown | San Bernardino, California |
Height | 6-4 |
Weight | 210 lbs |
Year | Senior |
Daniels, formerly with Arizona State for three seasons, etched his name in FBS records by achieving an unprecedented milestone: hurling 350 yards and sprinting for over 200 yards in a singular game, an accomplishment realized against Florida.
2023 Stats | |
Passing Completion | 72.20% |
Passing Yards | 3,812 yards |
Touchdowns (Pass) | 40 TD |
Interceptions | 4 INT |
Rushing Yards | 1,134 yards |
Rushing Touchdowns | 10 TD |
At present, Daniels commands the forefront of the nation in both quarterback rating and yards per passing attempt, fostering aspirations to clinch LSU's initial Heisman triumph since Joe Burrow's victory in 2019.
2. Marvin Harrison Jr.
Position | Junior Wide Receiver |
University | Ohio State |
Hometown | Philadelphia |
Height | 6-4 |
Weight | 205 lbs |
Son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Marvin is a Bilentikoff Award finalist for the consecutive second season. Dominating the Big Ten, Harrison not only topped the charts in receiving yards but also in yards per reception and touchdown catches.
2023 Stats | |
Receptions | 67 |
Receiving Yards | 1,211 yards |
Average per Catch | 18.1 |
Receiving Touchdowns | 14 |
Rushing Touchdowns | 1 |
Total Touchdowns | 15 |
Aiming for a monumental achievement, Harrison endeavours to claim the Heisman accolade, aspiring to be Ohio State's inaugural winner since Troy Smith's triumph in 2006.
ALSO READ| College Football Playoff (CFP) Rankings 2023: rankings after Week 13
3. Bo Nix
Attribute | Value |
Position | Senior Quarterback |
University | Oregon |
Hometown | Pinson, Alabama |
Height | 6-2 |
Weight | 217 lbs |
Entering his second season with the Ducks after transferring from Auburn, Nix delivered a standout performance in 2023 that garnered attention and acclaim. Remarkably, he led the nation in completions and completion percentage, sharing the top spot in touchdown passes with Daniels. The last five games of the season showcased Nix's exceptional form, as he threw an impressive 19 touchdowns with a mere two interceptions, steering Oregon to the Pac-12 title game with his stellar contributions.
2023 Stats | |
Passing Completion | 77.20% |
Passing Yards | 4,145 yards |
Touchdowns (Pass) | 40 TD |
Interceptions | 3 INT |
Rushing Yards | 228 yards |
Rushing Touchdowns | 6 TD |
Nix's exceptional campaign has brought back echoes of past glory for Oregon, with the program's last Heisman winner being Marcus Mariota in 2014. As Nix continues to leave an indelible mark on the field, his achievements contribute to the rich legacy of outstanding athletes associated with the Oregon Ducks football program.
4. Michael Penix
Position | Senior Quarterback |
University | Washington |
Hometown | Tampa, Florida |
Height | 6-3 |
Weight | 213 lbs |
Making a notable impact as a transfer, Penix, Jr., made a pivotal move from Indiana to Seattle in 2022. His presence played a crucial role in the Huskies achieving an undefeated regular season, culminating in a significant victory over Oregon in the Pac-12 championship. Building on his eighth-place finish in Heisman voting the previous year, Penix led the nation in both passing yards and passing yards per game, displaying his prowess by delivering 33 touchdown passes.
2023 Stats | |
Passing Completion | 65.70% |
Passing Yards | 4,218 yards |
Touchdowns (Pass) | 33 TD |
Interceptions | 9 INT |
Penix's stellar performance adds a new chapter to Washington's football history, as the program aims for greater heights. Notably, no player from Washington has ever claimed the Heisman, and the last top-10 vote-getter was Jake Browning, who secured a sixth-place finish in 2016. As Penix continues to make waves, he seeks to etch his name among the elite while elevating Washington's football legacy.
ALSO READ| Top 10 Highest Paid College Football Players in U.S. 2023
When will the Heisman winner be announced?
The 2023 Heisman Trophy ceremony is scheduled for December 9 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. In the previous season, Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams clinched the prestigious award, emerging as the winner. Notable finalists included Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, and TCU quarterback Max Duggan. In the preceding year, Alabama QB Bryce Young secured the Heisman Trophy with an impressive point total of 2,311.
DATE | EVENT |
Monday, Nov. 27 | Heisman ballots distributed |
Monday, Dec. 4 | Heisman voting deadline |
Monday, Dec. 4 | Heisman finalists announced |
Saturday, Dec. 9 | 8 p.m. | Heisman Trophy ceremony on ESPN |
The Heisman Trophy selection process involves a body of 928 electors, comprising 870 college football media members, 57 living Heisman winners, and one collective fan vote. This diverse and knowledgeable group plays a pivotal role in recognizing and honouring the outstanding achievements of collegiate football players, with the Heisman Trophy standing as a symbol of individual excellence in the sport.
ALSO READ|
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation