2015 Heisman Trophy Ceremony: Who. Will. Win?

Hello, all. While the college football regular season has drawn to a close for most teams, and the playoff field decided, there are two things that fans can look forward to on Saturday:

1. The Army-Navy game (which is special, but has turned into a one-sided affair)
2. The Heisman Trophy Ceremony.

Yes, the annual presentation of the Heisman Trophy will take place Saturday Night. While critics of the award cite the poor performances of Heisman winners in the NFL as a reason that the trophy isn't that special, it is still the most important individual award in college sports. 2015 is a unique year for the Heisman, as all three finalists for this award have a legitimate case as to why they should take it home. There have been cases such as that of Cam Newton in 2010 and Tim Tebow in 2007 in which there was a slam dunk winner, but I like it better when everybody has a chance. Before I discuss what every finalist brings to the table, allow be to give a quick shout out to Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma and Kennan Reynolds of Navy. Both of these quarterbacks had seasons that were worthy of a trip to the Big Apple, and it is a shame that they never received that invitation. If it were up to me, I would have five finalists for the award instead of three. Nonetheless, all three candidates are deserving of their recognition.



The Case for/against Deshaun Watson

Why Watson Should Win: As the quarterback and heart and soul of the #1 team in the country, Clemson's Deshaun Watson brings a lot to the table. This season, Watson made a name for himself, passing for 3,512 yards and 30 touchdowns and rushing for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns, and has led #1 Clemson to a 13-0 record. Watson has great stats, is on a playoff team, and is the best player at the most important position. All of these things could lead to Watson becoming Clemson's first ever Heisman Trophy winner.

Why Watson Should Not Win: Unfourtanly, I feel that Watson's Heisman case is the weakest of the three candidates. This is not a knock on Watson, as he is a great player. However, his competition is incredibly stiff, as Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffery have both been more dominant this season than Watson has in my opinion. Both Henry and McCaffery have broken significant statistical records, and I think that separates both of them from Watson in this race.

The Case for/aganst Derrick Henry

Why Henry Should Win: Henry has been an absolute beast this season, and has basically carried the Alabama offense on his back. With 1,986 yards rushing (and 5.9 yards per carry), Henry has shattered Hershel Walker's SEC record for single-season rushing yards. The combination of breaking a significant record held by arguably the most dominant running back in the history of college football, as well as playing for a blue blood such as Alabama, gives Henry a good chance of joining Mark Ingram and becoming surprisingly just the second player in Tide history to take home this award. Henry has already received the Doak Walker Award for the nation's best running back, and the Maxwell Award for the nation's best overall player (different from the Heisman).

Why Henry Should Not Win: Henry has a lot going for him, but so does Stanford's Christian McCaffery. With all due respect to all Henry has done this season, I think McCaffery is more deserving of the award. Here is why.

The Case for Christian McCaffery 

Why McCaffery Should Win: This kid is, in my opinion, the most exciting player in college football. The numbers say it all: 1,847 yards rushing (slightly below Henry with 5.8 yards per carry), 540 yards receiving, and 1,109 total yards on special teams. Add all of these together, and you get 3,496 all-purpose yards for this kid in 2015, an NCAA record. McCaffery is my man, and with all due respect to his competition, I think that Christian McCaffery should be your 2015 Heisman Trophy winner because he is more versatile than Henry or Watson and it isn't even that close. He does more things well and is more dangerous than any player in college football, and this Stanford hero deserves to be recognized with the sport's most prestigious honor.

Why McCaffery should not win: The only thing that McCaffery has going against him is that unlike Watson and Henry, he will not be taking part in the college football playoff. I hope that I am wrong, but I think that this fact will keep him from taking home the Heisman.

Final Prediction: Derrick Henry is your winner
Next to McCaffery, Henry is the most deserving of this award, and I think the fact that he plays for Nick Saben's machine and will be playing in the college football playoff will give him the edge over Christian McCaffery. Although I think McCaffery should win and am personally hoping that he does, Henry is deserving as well, and I won't be complaining no matter who takes home this award. All three candidates are fantastic, and I'm interested to see which will take home the 2015 Heisman Memorial Trophy. Who. Will. Win?