The 2017 Heisman race started as a battle between two great running backs, with Saquon Barkley of Penn State and Bryce Love of Stanford going toe-to-toe. As Penn State faded and Love battled injuries, however, both contenders moved to the side.
During the course of the 2017 Heisman race, many names jumped into contention. Lamar Jackson, Rashaad Penny, Jalen Hurts, Luke Falk, Mason Rudolph, Josh Adams, Khalil Tate and J.T. Barrett all received some Heisman buzz during the season.
On Nov. 4, the Heisman race changed for good. Michigan State handed Penn State their second consecutive loss and held Barkley in check in the process. In Pullman, the Stanford Cardinal was handed their third loss of the season and Bryce Love was held to just 69 yards rushing.
On the same day, Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield jumped up and grabbed the brass ring (or in this case, the prestigious trophy). At Bedlam, against a hated rival, Mayfield led his offense to 62 points as he threw for 598 yards and accounted for six touchdowns. This game was his Heisman moment. Mayfield had missteps along the way, but his highs far outweigh his lows.
Baker Mayfield, Bryce Love and Lamar Jackson have all been invited to the ceremony in New York, but there is little drama as to who will leave with the Heisman Trophy in their possession.
Let’s take a look at our final poll for 2017:
What you’ll see each week in The Comeback Heisman Poll:
* The top total vote getters, with quotes from the voters in support of their candidate
* A list of all players receiving votes
* Poll notes that look at some interesting facts, figures and trends of the poll
* The TCB Roll Call of voters, with links to their Twitter accounts
Without any further ado, here’s the final 2017 installment of The Comeback’s Heisman Poll:
1. Baker Mayfield (QB – Oklahoma): 18 points, 50.0% of votes, Unanimous First Place Selection
Season: 285 of 397 passing (71.8%) for 4776 yards with 44 TD and 5 INT. 310 yards rushing with 5 TD.
COMMENTS
– Bart Doan
There is going to be a lot said about Mayfield’s off-field antics, but the only part of it all that matters is what he contributes on the field. He has been one of the best and he has done it with an exclamation point as well. Love and Jackson have had their moments but Mayfield has been a constant star all year long and is doing it with stunning efficiency.
– Sam Blazer
From start to finish this season, no player has been as productive offensively and successful in leading his team to big wins on the way to a conference championship and a spot in the playoff. We all know Mayfield has this thing locked up.
– Kevin McGuire
I wish there was some more suspense to this, but that’s not Mayfield’s fault. Bryce Love ended the season strong with big games against Washington, Notre Dame and USC, but Mayfield just built too large a lead. And he hardly faltered at the end. Even with his lowest passing yardage (243) in the Big 12 title game vs. TCU, Mayfield still threw four touchdowns. <
I’m sure his trash-talking, crotch-grabbing antics will cost him some votes, and no, he probably wouldn’t be my favorite guy to hang out with. But Mayfield has been the best player in college football over the entire season.
– Ian Casselberry
2. Bryce Love (RB – Stanford): 7 points, 19.4% of votes
Season: 1973 yards rushing on 237 carries (7.3 ypc) with 19 rushing TD.
3. Rashaad Penny (RB – San Diego State): 5 points, 13.8% of votes
Season: 2027 yards rushing on 275 carries (11.6 ypc) with 11 rushing TD and 18 receptions with 2 receiving TD.
4. Lamar Jackson (QB – Louisville): 4 points, 11.1% of votes
Season: 241 of 399 passing (60.4%) for 3489 yards with 25 TD anbd 6 INT. 1443 yards rushing on 208 carries (6.9 ypc) with 17 rushing TD.
Also receiving votes: Roquan Smith (LB – Georgia) 2 points
Poll Notes
– From our first poll of the year (which debuted on Oct. 10) to our last poll of the year only three players held the top spot: Barkley, Love and Mayfield.
– During the season, 16 players received votes in our poll. Breaking them down by position: 10 QB, 5 RB and 1 LB.
– Mayfield’s win will mark the seventh time in the past eight years that a quarterback has won the award. Alabama’s Derrick Henry is the only non-QB to win that award during that time period.
– Mayfield will be the first Oklahoma player to win the award since Sam Bradford took home the trophy in 2008. He will join Bradford, Jason White, Billy Sims, Steve Owens and Billy Vessels on the list of Oklahoma players with a Heisman Trophy. Oklahoma will now move into a tie with USC for the second with most players having won the Heisman Trophy with six. USC and Oklahoma trail only Ohio State and Notre Dame (who are tied with seven).
– Congratulations to Baker Mayfield. He is our unanimous selection as the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner. He had an amazing season and led his team to a Big 12 Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff.
– In conclusion, I would like to thank the readers for tuning in to see who we would crown the winner of the Heisman Trophy. I would also like to say a big thank you to the voters. Without them, this poll would not be possible. Thank You.
The Comeback Heisman Poll Roll Call
Bart Doan – @TheCoachBart
Ian Casselberry – @iancass
Kevin Causey – @CFBZ
Kevin McGuire – @kevinoncfb
Yesh Ginsburg- @yesh222
Sam Blazer – @Sam_Blazer