Tag: Heisman trophy

Report: Saints may ‘want to hear’ what Deion Sanders has to say

Could Prime Time come to New Orleans? ESPN listed the Saints among NFL teams that may want to hear what Deion Sanders has to say:

Could Deion Sanders return to the NFL as head coach of the New Orleans Saints? Crazier things have happened, but Sanders leaving the Colorado Buffaloes and continuing to coach his son would be an unprecedented move. Shedeur Sanders is a top-flight quarterback prospect who has also been linked to the Saints in evened days.

But if we’re evaluating the elder Sanders’ candidacy on its own merits, there’s a lot to like. He went into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player. As a college coach, he dominated the competition at Jackson State before moving to Colorado, where he’s gone 13-11 with nine wins in 2024. A jump to the NFL wouldn’t be shocking.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Saints are one of the teams that may be on his radar:

A few weeks ago, we broke down Deion Sanders’ NFL outlook. I’m bumping this again because a league source told me this about Sanders in recent days: “I think [NFL] teams will want to hear what he has to say.” So it wouldn’t shock to see the Jets or Saints or a team casting a wide net to at least reach out or do its research on him.

Now, that’s highly speculative, and it’s hardly the same as saying Sanders already plans on leaving Boulder for New Orleans. And just because there may be some interest it doesn’t mean that would be a two-way street. At this point Sanders should be busy recruiting and reloading his roster after a solid season ended with a Heisman Trophy in his protege Travis Hunter’s hands.

But the Saints need a coach after firing Dennis Allen, and they may need a quarterback if their next decision-maker doesn’t plan on staying the course with Derek Carr. The Saints could have a shot at filling both vacancies with Sanders family stars if they hold onto a top-10 draft pick. But there are three weeks left in the regular season, and things could change rapidly. Stay tuned in case the clock in New Orleans reads Prime Time.

Titans legend Eddie George shares his thoughts on modern NFL

Tennessee #Titans legend Eddie George shares his thoughts on the modern NFL w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Tennessee Titans legend and Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George.

In his interview with Easton Jr., George discussed his support for The Wuerffel Foundation at the Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event at Life Time Pickleball NYC and his thoughts on the changes in the NFL today.

“Oh yeah, I mean, it’s (the NFL) changed over the years to become safer, and I get it,” George explained. “but the quality of the game is still the same. I love it.”

George supported the Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event, which brought together Heisman legends, including Danny Wuerffel, Tim Tebow, Charlie Ward, Eric Crouch, and others, for an action-packed day of pickleball exhibitions. Pickleball pros Ryan Sherry and Kate Fahey joined them on the court, ensuring a high-energy experience supporting the Wuerffel Foundation.

George, who won the 1995 Heisman Award, shared some advice for this year’s trophy winner (Travis Hunter) ahead of the event.

“It’s a once-a-lifetime opportunity to embrace every moment with your family, friends, and teammates, regardless of who wins tonight,” said George. “It’s an honor and an accomplishment to have made it to this fall at this point, and once you are a Heisman Trophy winner, it gets better with time. So it’s about relationships and honoring your great season, but more importantly, the great coaches, teammates, and support staff who helped you get to this point.”

The following links provide more information on Pickle Bowl and The Wuerffel Foundation.

Heisman trophy winner Charlie Ward praises Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ success

Florida State legend and 1993 Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward praises Kansas City #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes’ success w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Florida State Seminoles and college football legend Charlie Ward.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Ward discussed his support for The Wuerffel Foundation at the Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event at Life Time Pickleball NYC. He also shared his thoughts on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, drawing comparisons to another legendary Super Bowl-winning quarterback.

“Danny Wuerffel and his foundation go into pickleball, and I’m just happy to be able to support him. I’m just here for him,” said Ward. “That’s what this is all about: being able to support each other and our different endeavors. So, those were great calls and an excellent opportunity to get guys together. Happy to be here. ”

Ward joined fellow Heisman award winners Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Eric Crouch, and Johnny Rodgers, with pickleball pros Ryan Sherry and Kate Fahey for the event. The Wuerffel Foundation’s mission is to inspire greater service and unity in communities.

Wuerffel counsels and mentors community leaders in under-resourced neighborhoods across the United States and helps facilitate introductions to philanthropically-minded supporters.

The former 1993 Heisman winner notably chose a long career in the NBA instead of the NFL and was initially considered by the Chiefs as a potential backup to then-quarterback Joe Montana. He stood his ground in preferring a higher NFL draft selection, so he couldn’t guarantee to join training camp since he would eventually become a first-round selection of the New York Knicks.

“I don’t support one team. I support friends, people I know, but it’s hard not to support Patrick Mahomes,” Ward explained. “He’s very Tom Brady-ish, and it’s hard to beat the guy, no matter who you put in front of him or who is on his team. Those are the kind of guys that are generational going for Super Bowl number three.”

Ward may not openly support any team, but he appreciates Mahomes’ accomplishments as he seeks an unprecedented three-peat.

The following links provide more information on Pickle Bowl and The Wuerffel Foundation.

Florida State legend Charlie Ward shares advice for Travis Hunter, 2024 Heisman candidates

Heisman Award winner Charlie Ward talked about his advice for Travis Hunter and the 2024 Heisman candidates w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Florida State Seminoles and Heisman Award winner Charlie Ward.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Ward discussed his support for ‘The Wuerffel Foundation at the Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event at Life Time Pickleball NYC. He also shared advice to this year’s Heisman winner, Travis Hunter, and the candidates before the 2024 ceremony.

“I’m sure there’s some nerves, or there will be, but more importantly, at this moment, they’re enjoying the game,” said Ward. “Very similar to me. When I was here almost 35 years ago, the memories still are there. My family members who are still with us talk about it.

“We have pictures. So for them to be able to be here, whether you win or lose, the memories will always be there, but the winner definitely will change and be more recognizable. It will change you. It won’t change who you are but will change your name and the opportunities you’ll be provided, so that’s a great blessing.”

Ward joined fellow Heisman award winners Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Eric Crouch, and Johnny Rodgers, with pickleball pros Ryan Sherry and Kate Fahey for the event curated by Danny Wuerffel’s ‘The Wuerffel Foundation’.

The mission is to counsel and mentor community leaders in under-resourced neighborhoods across the United States and help facilitate introductions to philanthropically-minded supporters.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter beat out Ashton Jeanty, Dillon Gabriel, and Cam Ward to be named the 90th Heisman Trophy winner. He will continue a legacy that many, including Charlie, carry today. Hunter is expected to be a highly sought-after prospect in the 2025 NFL draft.

The following links provide more information on Pickle Bowl and The Wuerffel Foundation.

USA TODAY Sports sees DJ Lagway in mix for 2025 Heisman Trophy

Just days after this season’s Heisman Trophy announcement the media is already looking ahead to next year. DJ Lagway’s name is consistently mentioned.

The Heisman Trophy is the most coveted award in college football, annually given to the top player in the sport. This past season saw Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter earn the honor after a phenomenal 2024 campaign.

But enough about him. What is in store next fall for the prestigious prize?

The sports media wasted no time looking ahead to 2025 for the next Heisman Trophy contender. Among them was USA TODAY Sports writer Austin Curtright, who penned his favorites for the award earlier this week.

Included among the 11 players listed was Florida Gators quarterback [autotag]DJ Lagway[/autotag], who is in the midst of a stellar true freshman campaign that has been anything but smooth sailing. However, with just a bowl game remaining, he did plenty to build his cred.

“Florida freshman quarterback DJ Lagway showed flashes of brilliance for the Gators after taking over the starting job after Graham Mertz suffered a season-ending injury,” Curtright begins.

“Lagway’s play was crucial for the Gators reaching seven wins, leading them to ranked victories against LSU and Mississippi in back-to-back weeks,” he continues.

“His stats have been solid entering Florida’s bowl game. He has completed 93 of 157 passes for 1,610 yards with 11 touchdowns to seven interceptions and will hope to build on a season of flashes as a sophomore.”

2025 Heisman Trophy contenders

Along with Lagway, quarterbacks Cade Klubnik (Clemson Tigers), Nico Iamaleava (Tennessee Volunteers), Arch Manning (Texas Longhorns), Garrett Nussmeier (LSU Tigers), Drew Allar (Penn State Nittany Lions), John Mateer (Washington State Cougars) and LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina Gamecocks) also made the cut.

Running back Jeremiyah Love (Notre Dame Fighting Irish) was also included along with wide receivers Jeremiah Smith (Ohio State Buckeyes) and Ryan Williams (Alabama Crimson Tide).

Other Heisman predictions for Lagway

CBS Sports writer Blake Brockermeyer also included Lagway in his list of 14 players who have a strong possibility of winning the 2025 Heisman Trophy.

“Lagway has been as advertised as the top-ranked QB in the 2024 class and just earned 247Sports True Freshman All-America Team honors,” Brockermeyer wrote.

“He’s trending towards being a very high pick in two seasons if he continues to develop but until then he’s got the chance to be the face of a Florida turnaround and one of the best QBs in the country. The big-framed dual-threat QB has plenty of big-name teams on the docket next year to deliver a Heisman moment or two.”

Athlon Sports’ Steven Lassand also included Florida’s signal-caller in his way-too-early outlook on the prestigious award.

“Lagway’s move into the starting lineup was instrumental in Florida’s late-season improvement that included big-time wins over LSU, Ole Miss, and Florida State and also likely saved coach Billy Napier’s job after a 3-3 start,” Lassan notes. “The sophomore-to-be has enormous upside and talent that will only get better with more snaps in ’25.”

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All-Pro RB Eddie George gives his take on Chiefs’ three-peat chances

Retired All-Pro RB Eddie George shared his thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl three-peat chances w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to retired Pro Bowler and Heisman winner Eddie George.

In his interview with Easton Jr., George discussed his support for The Wuerffel Foundation at the Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event at Life Time Pickleball NYC and his thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs’ chances at a three-peat.

“Danny (Wuerffel) is doing this for his foundation. I know he’s a hell of a pickleball player,” said George. “What a great way to raise money awareness for his great cause, and do it in a fun way.”

Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition brought together college football legends, including Cam Newton, Tim Tebow, Eric Crouch, Charlie Ward, and Johnny Rodgers, for an action-packed day of pickleball exhibitions, VIP play, and fan engagement.

Pickleball pros Ryan Sherry and Kate Fahey joined them on the court. The Tennessee Titans franchise legend and current head football coach at Tennessee State University weighed in on the Chiefs Super Bowl chances this season.

“They (the Chiefs) look pretty strong. I mean, they’re winning close games. They’re getting better toward the tail end of the season, but there are some other teams that are starting to emerge,” George explained. “Buffalo, you have Detroit, which will be a problem in the NFC. The Eagles, I mean, there will be some teams that can contend. But anytime you have a battle-tested unit with a championship pedigree with your team at the helm.

“You know you better be able to put the team away late in the game. He’ll find a way to win the ball game with two seconds left because you put that ball in his hands. They are great at situational football. They don’t panic under pressure and have the best closer in the game as far as (Patrick) Mahomes.”

The following links provide more information on Pickle Bowl and The Wuerffel Foundation.

Eric Crouch discusses modern NFL’s embrace of athletic quarterbacks

Eric Crouch discusses today’s NFL embracing athletic quarterbacks w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Touchdown Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Nebraska Cornhuskers legend and 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Crouch discussed his support for The Wuerffel Foundation at the Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event at Life Time Pickleball NYC and his thoughts on the versatility in the NFL today.

“It’s quite the honor to be invited to come to New York City to be a finalist for the Heisman trophy,” Crouch explained. “Your name is etched in that history forever, and I always tell them to enjoy yourself while you’re here. It’s a short trip. It will go by fast, but just enjoy the moment, look around, and be thankful for what you can give.“

Crouch joined Cam Newton, Tim Tebow, Charlie Ward, and Johnny Rodgers for an action-packed day of pickleball exhibitions, VIP play, and fan engagement. Pickleball pros Ryan Sherry and Kate Fahey joined them on the court.

“Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event is something that we really love to do. The overall foundation’s mission is to inspire greater service and unity in the world,” said Blair Wortsmith, Director of Programs and Operations for the Wuerffel Foundation. “This event will go towards raising funds where Danny (Wuerffel) gets to invest in other nonprofit leaders, especially those that have their foundations, athletes that are up and coming in the area. We’re also very excited to be here and grateful for Life Time for the Heisman Trophy Trust’s partnership on this event.”

Crouch was initially drafted by the St. Louis Rams in 2002 as a wide receiver but still wanted to play quarterback. Teams, however, saw Crouch as too short. He displayed fantastic athleticism for Nebraska and finished his college career as one of three quarterbacks in Division I-A history to rush for 3,000 yards and pass for 4,000 yards.

“I was more of an athlete, and so I think a lot of guys that have come through this Heisman trophy ceremony and are going to the next level have had struggles too, like, ‘Hey, where do they put us?’ because we’re all really great athletes,” Crouch explained. “We come here, and sometimes it doesn’t translate to the NFL, other times it does.

“If I was coming out of college, now I might have a better chance in the NFL. But, you know, things happen for a reason. So I felt like where I went to school was running option football, which was very unique and I was just lucky to be part of that era in Nebraska.”

The following links provide more information on Pickle Bowl and The Wuerffel Foundation.

Heisman legend Eric Crouch shares his thoughts on the Chiefs’ success this season

2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch shared his thoughts on the Kansas City #Chiefs’ success this season w/ @EdEastonJr

This week, Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. spoke to retired NFL player and 2001 Heisman winner Eric Crouch.

In his interview with Easton Jr., Crouch discussed his support for ‘The Wuerffel Foundation’ at the Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition event at Life Time Pickleball NYC, and shared his thoughts on the Kansas City Chiefs’ success this season.  

“It’s a special group of guys, and I have enjoyed coming back for the last 23 years, so I had a very special moment when I won the award,” Crouch said. “I’m looking forward to sharing that again tonight when the new winner is announced and being there for them.”

Crouch joined fellow Heisman award winners Tim Tebow, Cam Newton, Charlie Ward, and Johnny Rodgers, along with pickleball pros Ryan Sherry and Kate Fahey, for Pickle Bowl: Heisman Edition. The Wuerffel Foundation’s mission is to counsel and mentor community leaders in under-resourced neighborhoods across the United States and facilitate introductions to philanthropically minded supporters.

Crouch briefly joined the Chiefs practice squad in 2005 after converting to safety after years as a quarterback at Nebraska. He gave his take on this year’s team’s success and potential for another Super Bowl run.

“Every time I turn those games on, it’s so much fun to watch them, (Patrick) Mahomes and (Travis) Kelce and (Isiah) Pacheco, and just the defense, they fly around,“ Crouch explained. “What I’m starting to see about the Kansas City Chiefs is that they’re playing so well as a team and finding a way to win.

“They may not be playing the greatest football, and they’re not reaching the same numbers that they may have reached in the last couple of years, but they’re still finding ways to win, and at the end of the day, that’s what matters most, is who’s putting that W up on the board. So I can only imagine they’re going to go deep into the playoffs and be playing for another Super Bowl.”

The following links provide more information on Pickle Bowl and The Wuerffel Foundation.

Travis Hunter’s Heisman gives state of Colorado an impressive trifecta

The state of Colorado is full of MVPs

Travis Hunter winning the Heisman Trophy was historic for several reasons. It gave the Colorado Buffaloes their second Heisman winner and the state of Colorado a feat that has never done before.

Hunter joins Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon as the best players in their respective sports. This marks the first time a reigning Heisman winner, NBA MVP and Hart Memorial Trophy winner have played for teams in the same state.

Hunter enjoyed a historic season with the Buffs, catching 92 passes for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns on offense while snagging four interceptions and breaking up 11 passes on defense. Hunter cleaned up in postseason awards, winning the Bednarik Award (best defensive player), the Biletnikoff Award (best receiver) and the Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player).

Jokic was named MVP for the third time in the past four seasons in May while MacKinnon pulled in his first Hart Trophy in June.

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How did Travis Hunter’s Heisman voting compare to Jayden Daniels?

How did Travis Hunter’s Heisman voting share compare to Jayden Daniels in 2023?

On Saturday night, Colorado’s Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy.

The junior two-way player prevailed over fellow finalists Ashton Jeanty, Dillion Gabriel, and Cameron Ward. Hunter saw snaps at cornerback and wide receiver, setting him apart from the rest of the field.

Before being drafted by the Washington Commanders, Daniels put together two standout seasons donning the purple and gold, but it was his fifth year that made him the best player in college football.

Daniels passed for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns to four interceptions through 12 games in 2023. He beat out Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, and Marvin Harrison Jr. to take home the most coveted trophy in college football.

Daniels pulled in 503 first-place votes, 211 more than Penix, the runner-up. The former Tiger also had 217 votes for second and 86 for third.

Hunter outgained Daniels in first and second-place votes. He received 552 votes for first and 261 for second. Jeanty, the runner-up, had 309 first-place votes and 517 second-place votes.

2023 Heisman Voting

Rk Player School Class Pos 1st 2nd 3rd Tot
1 Jayden Daniels LSU SR QB 503 217 86 2029
2 Michael Penix Jr. Washington SR QB 292 341 143 1701
3 Bo Nix Oregon SR QB 51 205 322 885
4 Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State JR WR 20 78 136 352
5 Jordan Travis Florida State SR QB 8 19 23 85
6 Jalen Milroe Alabama SO QB 4 8 45 73
7 Ollie Gordon Oklahoma State SO RB 1 2 24 31
8 Cody Schrader Missouri JR RB 1 2 22 29
9 Blake Corum Michigan SR RB 3 2 15 28
10 J.J. McCarthy Michigan JR QB 1 7 4 21

2024 Heisman Voting

Rk Player School Class Pos 1st 2nd 3rd Tot
1 Travis Hunter Colorado JR CB 552 261 53 2231
2 Ashton Jeanty Boise State JR RB 309 517 56 2017
3 Dillon Gabriel Oregon SR QB 24 52 340 516
4 Cameron Ward Miami (FL) SR QB 6 24 163 229
5 Cameron Skattebo Arizona State SR RB 3 18 125 170
6 Bryson Daily Army SR QB 3 7 46 69
7 Tyler Warren Penn State SR TE 1 7 35 52
8 Shedeur Sanders Colorado SR QB 1 7 30 47
9 Kurtis Rourke Indiana SR QB 2 3 10 22
10 Kyle McCord Syracuse SR QB 0 1 7 9

Hunter’s final voting total of 2,231 points was higher than Daniels total of 2,029. But that can be chalked up two 2024 being a two horse race. With most voters deciding between Hunter and Ashton Jeanty for the top spot, more first place votes fell with Hunter.

In 2023, Daniels was competing with Penix and Nix for first place votes.