Saban would vote for Deshaun Watson for Heisman

The other finalists include Louisville Quarterback Lamar Jackson, Clemson Quarterback Deshaun Watson, Oklahoma Quarterback Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma Wide Receiver Dede Westbrook.

Former Paramus Catholic star Jabrill Peppers didn’t take home any hardware Thursday night, but still has a shot at the Heisman Trophy on Saturday.

On a red-carpet night in Atlanta, Jackson captured the Maxwell Award as the nations top college player Thursday night and signaled himself as the clear favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

It is offiially Heisman Trophy week, where we get to see who will hold that bronze trophy and offially be named the best college football player in the nation.

He finished third in Heisman voting previous year behind victor Derrick Henry of Alabama and running back Christian McCaffrey of Stanford.

When did you first think about winning the Heisman? On top of having outstanding numbers, Mayfield also possesses a polarizing personality and is one of the most exciting players in the country to watch. He was most effective running in the postseason, getting 68 carries and 349 yards in the ACC title game and the team’s two College Football Playoff games last season. In 2016, Jackson matched Tebow’s 51 touchdowns but also accounted for 747 more total yards.

It wasn’t until the final two weeks of the regular season when Jackson finally ran out of gas, as Louisville dropped its final two games-including its finale to rival Kentucky in which Jackson tossed three interceptions.

Based on data alone, the award should go to Jackson – who enjoys advantages over Watson in all-purpose yards and scoring responsibility.

Watson threw for 306 yards on 20-for-31 passing, with five touchdowns and three interceptions in a 42-36 triumph.

Mayfield and Westbrook will be gunning to be the sixth Heisman Trophy victor in Oklahoma school history, while Peppers would mark the fourth from MI.

Over 12 games this year, Jackson’s passes have ripped through the air for 3,390 yards and 30 touchdowns to nine interceptions, while his feet have scorched the earth for 1,538 yards and 21 more touchdowns.

Reason Why Not: Mayfield’s running game isn’t as strong as Watson’s and Jackson’s running game. He has played 15 different positions for U-M, seeing action on offense (53 plays), defense (726 plays) and special teams (154). He also had 16 touchdowns, averaged 19.8 yards per catch and 67.6 percent of his receptions went for first downs or touchdowns.

There will be no representative from the SEC this year, which means five out of the last 10 winners will have come from that conference.

Among quarterbacks, Mayfield had the highest pass-efficiency rating at 197.75.

In the end, the unfortunate reality of the Heisman trophy is that only one player can take home the honor, even if two deserve it.

The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award has been given to each of the last three Heisman Trophy winners.