Tag: Will Anderson Jr.

The finalists for the 2021 Heisman Trophy are set. Four deserving athletes — Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Kenny Pickett and Aidan Hutchinson — earned enough votes to secure an invitation to New York City for this weekend’s Heisman Trophy ceremony.

But there was one name missing, another defender whose performance this season should have earned him a trip to the Big Apple:

Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama.

Certainly there is a case to be made for all four finalists. Young, the presumed favorite, stepped into the spot vacated by Mac Jones and guided the Alabama Crimson Tide to another SEC Championship, throwing for 43 touchdowns along the way (against just four interceptions). Stroud put up huge numbers for the Ohio State Buckeyes, throwing for 38 touchdowns and is on track to eclipse 4,000 passing yards in the Rose Bowl.

Pickett broke a number of records for the Pittsburgh Panthers, including some held by the legendary Dan Marino. He topped Marino’s school record of touchdown passes, throwing his 81st career TD in the ACC Championship game. He also became the conference’s single-season touchdown pass leader with 42, topping a mark set by Deshaun Watson.

Then there is Hutchinson, the pass rusher from Michigan, who likely earned his spot in New York City thanks to huge games down the stretch against Michigan State and Ohio State. His 14 total sacks rank him third in the nation, and he also notched ten quarterback pressures this season.

Now, defensive players rarely earn Heisman honors, if ever. The only defensive player to ever hoist the trophy, Charles Woodson, likely boosted his campaign with what he did on offense, as he caught 11 passes for 231 yards and a pair of touchdowns the year he won the award. So Hutchinson, even with the invitation to the ceremony, still could be a long-shot winner.

Yet this season, with everything that has happened across the college landscape, might be the year we see a winner on defense. It also might have been a year to see two defenders invited to the ceremony. What is Anderson’s case? Well, you can start with the production. As noted above Hutchinson’s 14 total sacks place him third in the nation.

Anderson is first, with 15.5.

If tackles for a loss are your thing, Anderson leads all defenders with 32.5 total tackles for a loss.

Hutchinson is certainly worthy of being a finalist, and if he were to secure the Heisman Trophy he would be a fantastic choice. But looking at Anderson’s season, he would also be a worthy finalist. Let’s make the case for why Anderson should be joining Hutchinson in New York City this weekend.