Contender or Pretender?: Heisman Stock Watch Week 9
Brendan Smith
What a week in college football. More, what a week in sports. Between the World Series wrapping up, the NBA and NHL starting back up, and of course, the first CFB Playoff Rankings being released, sports fans were treated to a packed week. Unfortunately, this is also the same three-week stretch that my professors have treated me to an overload of work. Guess they aren’t huge sports fans. Anyway, let’s get to what you all came here for, my Heisman Stock Watch.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
For those of you waiting for Lamar Jackson to slow down, don’t hold your breath. In another impressive perforance, Jackson led Louisville to a 32-25 nail-biting victory over fellow ACC-foe Virginia. Only problem is, this should have been a blowout. Such is the beauty of college sports, it is unpredictable. Going into this game, nobody thought that 2-5 UVA could hang with 6-1 Louisville. Until they led at halftime. And were still leading going into the fourth quarter. And only relinquished that lead after an 18-point fourth quarter outburst by the Cardinals. Once again, Jackson baffled a defense, this time racking up 361 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns, and 88 rushing yards. Among those 4 touchdowns was the game-winner, coming with just 13 seconds to play. It is continuing to look like no one will be able to surpass Jackson for this prestigious award.
Stock: Rising
Jake Browning, QB, Washington
In a solid, yet unspectacular performance, Jake Browning led his Washington Huskies to their first key victory this season, a 31-24 defeat of number-17 Utah. Browning was rather underwhelming, finishing with just 186 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. Those numbers are not a knock on Browning’s ability, but rather a testament to the improvements shown by the Washington offense. Myles Gaskin rushed for 151 yards and a first-quarter touchdown. Browning’s growth as a passer and a leader has allowed Chris Peterson to diversify his offense, and add complexities to his play-calling that has set Washington up for a run to the CFB Playoff. Look for Browning to lead the Huskies to a Pac-12 crown.
Stock: Rising
Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson
Clemson continues its quiet dominance over the ACC, this time an impressive 37-34 victory over Florida State. At the
front of that victory is junior quarterback Deshaun Watson. While he is a little less electric than he was last year, Watson continues to display his leadership abilities. This time around, Watson threw for 378 yards, 2 touchdowns, and ran 52 yards. The only blemishes on his box score would be the two interceptions he threw. Still, winners always find a way to lead the team to victory, and that is exactly what Watson did on Saturday. In an impressive final drive, Watson and the Tigers marched 75 yards down the field, with Watson finishing the drive on a 34-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Leggett, and then converting a two-point conversion to seal a come-from-behind victory. Clemson seems to be heating up at an opportune time. Watch out, ACC.
Stock: Holding
Jabrill Peppers, DB/LB/RB/WR/KR/PR, Michigan
Once again, what can’t Jabrill Peppers do? Apparently, he can do everything except snap the ball to himself, block for himself, and then kick the extra point after scoring. In his latest showing, Peppers rushed for 24 yards and a touchdown, recorded seven tackles, 2 of which went for a loss, and a sack. Peppers is doing everything he can to ensure Michigan will get a spot in the CFB Playoff, and that an NFL team will pay him a ridiculous amount of money to play for them in the spring. He is also ensuring that we the fans are able to enjoy him for what he truly is, a physical freak, and a generational, multi-faceted talent.
Stock: Rising
Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State
Alright readers, time to fire up Google and tell your friends you knew who Donnel Pumphrey was all along. Don’t be embarrassed, I didn’t really know who he was until Bleacher Report publsihed a story on the under-sized star of San Diego State. Usually, while all of us on the East Coast are sleeping, Pumphrey is tearing up defenses on the ground. This time, he racked up 223 yards on 32 carries, as SDSU moved to 7-1 on the season in a 40-14 drubbing of Utah State. On the season, Pumphrey has totaled a ridiculous 1469 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, and also gained 145 receiving yards. All this, in just 8 games, and while standing 5 feet 9 inches, and weighing 180 pound, considerably undersized for a running back. Do yourself a favor, read the article on Pumphrey, and then brag to your friends that you knew who he was all along when he ends the season in the top 5 of the Heisman voting.
Stock: Rising
My Top 5:
Lamar Jackson
Jake Browning
Deshaun Watson
Jabrill Peppers
Donnel Pumphrey
Outside looking in: J.T. Barrett, Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette
