“In case you might describe your recreation in a single phrase or phrase, what would it not be?” a reporter requested Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward through the Heisman media availability.
With out hesitation, Ward replied, “Canine.”
It was a becoming response from the quarterback whose relentless playstyle had earned him a spot amongst school soccer’s elite.
Ward had a magical season donning the orange and inexperienced. He received the Davey O’Brien Award, given to the nation’s high quarterback. Gino Torretta, the final to say it in 1992, and Vinny Testaverde in 1986 have been the final two Hurricanes to win this award. He was additionally named the ACC Participant of the 12 months and the ACC Offensive Participant of the 12 months. Lastly, he led the nation in touchdowns (36), completed second in passing yards (4,123) and broke Miami’s single-season document for each.
Ward actually entered the general public highlight this season, although the prolonged document of his dominance will not be one thing to be forgotten. Throughout his 5 years of faculty, he handed the ball for a complete of 17,999 yards, to rank throughout the high 5 within the NCAA’s historical past. His 155 profession landing passes tie the Division I document held by former Houston quarterback Case Keenum, thus cementing Ward’s place in historical past as one in all school soccer’s all-time nice quarterbacks.
Ward’s accolades earned him a spot as one of many 4 Heisman finalists and a first-class ticket to New York Metropolis. His competitors included a number of the best-ever non-quarterbacks to be named a Heisman finalist.
Ashton Jeanty | RB | Boise State
All season, Jeanty was a present on the signature blue turf at Boise State. Amassing 2,497 speeding yards and 29 touchdowns. Jeanty received the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s finest working again, and the Maxwell Award, given to essentially the most excellent participant within the sport, recognizing excellence on the sector and distinctive contributions to the sport. Jeanty is fourth on the single-season speeding chief record, behind Kevin Smith, Melvin Gordon and Barry Sanders.
Dillon Gabriel | QB | Oregon
Identical to Ward, Gabriel has performed for 3 collegiate groups: Oklahoma, Central Florida and most at present, Oregon. He was the one different quarterback to be named a Heisman finalist. He completed the common season with 3,558 yards, rating eighth amongst quarterbacks. Because the Huge Ten Offensive Participant of the 12 months, Gabriel has an opportunity to take the Geese deep into the School Soccer Playoffs and safe the No. 1 spot in all-time passing yards.
Travis Hunter | WR and CB | Colorado
Undoubtedly top-of-the-line two-way gamers to play the sport, Hunter was the favourite to win the Heisman Trophy. He was the winner of the Walter Camp Award, given to the school soccer participant of the yr. On the huge receiver place, Hunter had 1,152 receiving yards, together with 14 touchdowns. Defensively, he had 31 whole tackles and 81 whole tackles. Hunter’s capability to play receiver granted him good palms and 4 interceptions this season. He received the Fred Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s finest huge receiver and the Chuck Bednarik Award for the nation’s high defender.
The extremely proficient group of soccer gamers took heart stage within the Appel Room at Lincoln Middle this previous Saturday, hoping to be topped the subsequent Heisman Trophy winner. Because the clock struck 8:50 p.m., Hunter was named Heisman winner and hoisted up the trophy.
For Ward, it was an uphill battle to win the Heisman, as he was going up towards three excellent gamers with their very own distinctive accolades. However when a participant wins huge receiver of the yr, defensive participant of the yr and places up spectacular numbers on each side of the ball, it’s onerous to not identify Hunter the Heisman winner.
Hunter completed with 2,231 voting factors, Jeanty with 2,017, Gabriel with 516 and Ward completed final with 229 factors.
From a zero-star recruit to a Heisman finalist, Ward had a particular collegiate profession. He’ll go down as top-of-the-line gamers to lace up the cleats for the Hurricanes and can take his prowess to the subsequent stage, the place he’ll doubtless be drafted early within the first spherical.
Followers of Miami will get to see Ward play yet one more time. On Dec. 28 at 3:30 p.m., the Hurricanes will tackle Iowa State at Tenting World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. for the Pop Tarts Bowl.