Stetson Bennett named Heisman Trophy finalist, Georgia quarterback gets invited to 2022 ceremony

SmartsTheMan

Stetson deserves it. No player in college football has performed better in the biggest games this year, or last year.

We're about to find out if the Heisman is awarded to the player who puts up better numbers against lesser competition or is it given to "the most outstanding player in college football. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work."

That last sentence describes Stetson Bennett better than any player I've ever seen. From walk-on to National Champion, with a 27-1 record over the last two seasons.

thadec

https://forum.dawgnation.com/discussion/comment/657232#Comment_657232

@jdatl3 Stetson is not faster or better than last year's winner. And he beat him head to head due to having a much more talented team (15 draft picks). And even then he only beat him 1 out of 2. In a few months, Bryce Young will be a top 10 draft pick and NFL starter and Stetson Bennett will be Buck Belue 2.0. Fortunately for Bennett the media landscape will offer him a lot more than Belue, who tried minor league baseball, assistant coaching for Valdosta State, selling insurance etc. before settling into talk radio. So I can see Bennett joining the other national championship winning QBs from the SEC on ESPN, Greg McElroy and Tim Tebow, as well as getting rich from endorsements. But make no mistake: were Bryce Young UGA's QB last season Brock Bowers gets 1300 yards, James Cook rushes for 1000 yards and is a 1st round pick and UGA goes 15-0. And if Stetson Bennett were Alabama's QB last year, they lose at least 4 games.

thadec

@DJG76

In fairness, the Heisman hasn't been a stats trophy since the 1980s when it went to some run-and-shoot QBs from smaller schools that were horrible in the NFL (Ty Detmer, Andre Ware).

However, the award stopped going to "the best QB on the best team" due to the Gino Torreta over a future NFL Pro Bowler Garrison Hearst and NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk" debacle. Since then, guys have needed to have a minimum of athletic ability and statistics to get the award. So, yes, SB IV absolutely did need to throw for 4 TDs in the SEC title game to get to 20 for the season to get to New York. That he threw them in the first half, meaning that he could have had 6 or 7 TDs ... even better.

navydawg

Haters gonna hate, that’s what they do. But I Love Stetson and So Proud of and for the young man. I’m not gonna post the Heisman statement that explains Why the trophy is presented. But no where in the statement does it say to the player with the best stats. I think sometimes even beyond football we’ve become obsessed with stats !! Like stats are the entire measure of a human being. I honestly Believe that if Mr. Heisman were alive or could speak from the grave he’d want someone like Stetson to win it. I mean the kid was a 3 star out of HS from a small school. And on the scout team. Talk about adversity !!! To Me Stetson epitomizes what the Spirit of the Heisman is all about or Should be about. And as for Bryce Young, Yes he deserved it last year, but Not this year. Henson Hooker has gaudy stats but his team sputtered and choked. NO it’s not his fault but that’s what happened. I say that because Some folks always rush to point out how much Help Stetson has had. Well ( Yeah I’m being silly but also making a point) I wonder how long Young would last without an O line or Hooker without receivers to throw to ??!!?? Point being Any and All Heisman winners past, present, and future had help !! And to all those on Twitter making the. s t u p I d comments that he only got it because he’s on the #1 team please explain Why more Dawgs Didn’t get allot of the other individual awards !! Bias to the upmost !! He doesn’t meet their ideal “profile” so they bash on him. Well he might ( with the Help of his Team) be about to break your hearts Again by helping to win Another National Title !! Go Dawgs !! Go Stetson !!

Gibroni88

There is one thing for sure:

There will be MORE people watching this Heisman show than has watched in at least 15 years.

Just like the 12 team playoff expansion, this is just marketing and a money grab. I give the committee credit for being savvy in maximizing their already 10 year deflated ratings for the awards show.

I haven’t watched a Heisman show since Tebow undeservingly won it as a sophomore when his team still lost 3 games.

I will watch it now that SB will be there, and I will relish the looks on peoples faces if he takes home the trophy!

Go Dawgs!

Spdawg

This narrative about not deserving has to stop. Stetson’s performance against teams that matter is above any of the other QB finalists.

MontanaDawg

Criteria for the Heisman:

Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. It is presented by the Heisman Trophy Trust in early December before the postseason bowl games. Outstanding performance which best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity.

OFFICIALLY, you need to be the best football player in the country as determined by the electors. This is a group of 870 sportswriters and 58 former Heisman winners. It’s as simple as that.

UNOFFICIALLY: There are three unspoken factors that influence winning.

1. Position: While any position can win the Heisman, it usually goes to an offensive player that handles the ball (QB, running back, receiver). In part, this is because scoring and/or passing for TDs is an easy barometer of success. Last year Chase Young, a defensive player from Ohio State was a finalist. Was he the “best” player in the nation? Many offensive lineman might have thought so. But it’s hard to prove from a statistical standpoint. In one game he didn’t have many tackles. Why? He was triple-teamed most of the game. While being triple-teamed is a massive sign of respect, there is no statistical yardstick for an elector to use to say, “He’s the best.”
2. School: Major football programs have more “eyeballs” watching their games. Hence, their players from major programs have a distinct advantage. Did you know the State of Ohio has TWO exceptional college football programs? Ohio State (Div. I) and Mount Union College (Div. III). What’s their Heisman count? OSU 7, Mount Union 0. Enough said.
3. Record: It is assumed that the best football player will have an impact on his team beyond his position. While not all Heisman winners concurrently have national championship ring, it is assumed their team was in the hunt for one. That’s why you’ll hear that a Heisman candidate’s chances have been reduced if his team suffers a loss, even if he had nothing to do with the cause of the defeat.

This helps Explain why some other players mentioned aren't finalists.

Stet definitely fits the criteria and the Dawgs are still in the hunt.

UGADad20

SBIV has played well this year. He has improved most of his game over last season. Especially knowledge of the offense and cutting down on recklessness. He has driven the bus and game managed well.

I find it very interesting that the (unofficial?) Heisman criteria implies the award goes to "the best football player in the country".

Yet SBIV is not the offensive player of the year (Hooker) in the SEC. SBIV is not the 1st team QB in the SEC (Hooker) or even the 2nd team QB (Young) in the SEC.

Can you be the best player in the country and not be one of the top 2 QB's in your own conference?

SBIV has been a great story. Will be interesting to see how the final chapter is written.

reddawg1

Glad we have SB, glad he's talked about as one of the best playes in College Football. But is he the best player in CFB. Is CJ Stroud? Is the QB for SC? The very best players in the nation? I don't think so. Hooker? No way. Certainly all these guys are in the mix for who gives their team the best chance to win on Saturday or for the best QB's in the nation. But best players?

Maybe the Heisman has just become who is the most popular player or who has more "it" factor. I don't know, but the best player? The best "player" on UGA's team is Brock Bowers day in and day out!