Alabama running back Derrick Henry, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson have been named the three finalists for this year's Heisman Trophy. While all three players have compelling arguments as to why they should take home the coveted award, Alabama's star running back is clearly a step in front of the other two candidates.
Henry has broken Herschel Walker's single-season SEC rushing record, and in the same season, he tied Tim Tebow's single-season rushing touchdown record. The Crimson Tide junior running back has rushed for 1,986 yards and scored 23 touchdowns in his junior season against arguably the toughest defenses in all of college football. Henry has scored 42 percent of Alabama's touchdowns this season and has continually opened up the passing game for quarterback Jake Coker by demanding defenses to focus on the run. Henry has already won the Maxwell Award for being the college football player of the year, and he beat out both McCaffrey and Watson in the process.
McCaffrey has had a remarkable season, and in any other year, he could have likely taken home the trophy. The Cardinals star running back broke Barry Sanders' NCAA record for all-purpose yards by over 200 yards with 3,496 yards his sophomore season. McCaffrey led the Cardinals to a Pac-12 title, and was named the conference's player of the year. The versatility of McCaffrey is what makes him such a rare player, and the criteria of "outstanding player" is clearly why he is in the conversation. McCaffrey only scored 13 total touchdowns this season, and out of the three finalists, his team was the only one not to make the College Football Playoff. While it's hard to hold things of that nature against McCaffrey, it will likely have an impact on the amount of first place votes the Cardinals star running back receives.
Watson clearly deserves to be a finalist for the coveted award, and the fact that his team is the only undefeated program left gives him some ammunition as a candidate for the Heisman Trophy. Quarterbacks have taken home this prestigious award the past five seasons, and an argument could be made that no other player has as greater impact on their team as Watson has on the Tigers. The sophomore quarterback has thrown for 3,512 yards with 30 touchdowns to 11 interceptions this year. Watson has been named the ACC player of the year and is a dual threat behind center, as he has rushed for 887 yards and 11 touchdowns as well. Watson could see some first place votes, as being the quarterback of the number one team in the nation clearly elevates his status. The problem for Watson is that he plays in the ACC, and although Clemson is the top ranked team in the nation, many believe that Alabama is a stronger team.
Both McCaffrey and Watson are extremely talented athletes who deserve to be finalists for this award, but the level of competition Henry has faced this season makes him clearly the favorite. Top-tier defenses in the SEC continually loaded the box against Henry, but nothing seemed to stop the powerful running back, and it doesn't look like anything will stop him from winning the Heisman Saturday.
