| This was the year of the spread offense, the high-scoring game, the
quarterback and the coach in college football. Almost everyone is throwing the ball now in
college, including schools such as Clemson and Oklahoma — teams that always used to
believe a pass was something you made at a girl, not something you did with a football. In
fact, the odds-on choice for the Heisman is an Oklahoma quarterback who specializes in
passing. Because of the spread offense, which most colleges can’t seem to defend, a
number of quarterbacks such as Oklahoma’s Josh Heupel, Purdue’s Drew Brees and
Florida State’s Chris Weinke have had huge stat years and emerged as the
front-runners for the Heisman. What follows is an All-America, not an All-Pro Prospect,
team.
QB George Godsey
Georgia Tech
With Heupel falling on hard times in recent weeks and Brees having a
less-than-spectacular end to the season, I picked Godsey, who has been magnificent over
the second half of the year in leading Tech to a 9-2 record. While he doesn’t have a
great arm or great mobility, he was a phenomenal college quarterback this year, who threw
extremely accurately and played best in the clutch. The reason he gets the edge over
Weinke is Godsey’s a more accurate thrower who had a weaker supporting cast.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson
Texas Christian
Is getting more tough yards between the tackles this year than he ever had before and
is a more complete back. One of eight backs in NCAA history to rush for 2,000 yards in the
regular season. Worthy of Heisman consideration.
RB Damien Anderson
Northwestern
Granted, NU’s spread offense really helps him, but you can’t overlook all the
long runs he breaks.
TE Todd Heap
Arizona State
Not as fluid, nifty or athletic as Tony Gonzalez but in that mold.
WR David Terrell
Michigan
Tremendous athlete with size and big-play ability. Could be the best athlete in the Big
Ten.
WR Rod Gardner
Clemson
Big, physical and acrobatic. Gets almost all jump balls.
C Dominic Raiola
Nebraska
Could be the Cornhuskers’ best center since two-time Outland Trophy winner Dave
Rimington. Very quick and strong.
OG Steve Hutchinson
Michigan
Dominating run blocker who has gotten better in other areas.
OG Bill Ferrario
Wisconsin
The pros don’t like his height, but he plays the best of any guard outside of
Hutchinson. Very effective.
OT Matt Light
Purdue
Very efficient and tough lineman who may move inside to guard in the NFL.
OT Kenyatta Walker
Florida
Top athlete with very good feet.
OT Bryant McKinnie (tie)
Miami (Fla.)
McKinnie is a giant of a man who kept getting better and better over the course of the
season.
DE Andre Carter
California
He is the son of Miami All-American and longtime Broncos NT Rubin Carter. Can play both
the run and rush the passer and is a very disciplined player.
DE Jamal Reynolds
Florida State
Explosive speed rusher who is having a monster year in terms of sacks and pressures.
DT Gerard Warren
Florida
Dominating run defender with very good athletic ability.
DT Richard Seymour
Georgia
One of four top SEC tackles along with Warren, Tennessee’s John Henderson and
probably Seymour’s linemate, Marcus Stroud, being the others.
LB Adam Archuleta
Arizona State
Too small to be a linebacker in the NFL, but too good not to be an All-American in
college.
LB Dan Morgan
MiamI (Fla.)
The heart of the Hurricanes’ defense. A great competitor with excellent speed for
a bigger backer.
LB Keith Adams
Clemson
Not as sensational as last year, but was a marked man this season.
DB Jamar Fletcher
Wisconsin
Would be a lock for the Thorpe Award if not suspended for three games by the NCAA.
Almost singlehandedly beat Oregon.
DB Nate Clements
Ohio State
Had some dominating games when he looked like the second coming, but also was beaten by
Minnesota’s Ron Johnson and Miami (Ohio) WR Sly Johnson.
DB Fred Smoot
Mississippi State
Not as good as he thinks he is but still very good.
DB Tay Cody
Florida State
Best tackling corner at Florida State since Bobby Bowden arrived.
P Nick Harris
California
Great field position/directional kicker who can also boom the ball.
RS Santana Moss
Miami (Fla.)
When he is healthy, nobody wants to kick to him.
Placekicker — None worthy this year.
Coach — Almost too many are worthy to mention, starting with
Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops, Northwestern’s Randy Walker, Oregon State’s Dennis
Erickson and South Carolina’s Lou Holtz, all of whom use some form of the spread
offense at schools better-known for running than passing.
Heisman Trophy
1. Godsey
2. Tomlinson
3. Brees
4. Heupel
5. Weinke
Comment: The Heisman, in my opinion, goes to the player who did the most for his
team this year. And while Godsey may have had a career year, he still was the difference
between Georgia Tech being a 9-2 team with one loss in an overtime shootout and a 5-6
team. His production was phenomenal, and he responded extremely well to the tutoring of
Ralph Friedgen. |
