Imagine these guys on a fantasy football roster together next year.
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper and Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon have been announced as the three finalists for the Heisman Trophy. All three will make the trip to New York for the Saturday night presentation.
Mariota is considered the favorite to win the 80th Heisman award. He would be the first Oregon player ever to do so. The Ducks are currently the No. 2 team in the College Football Playoffs and have been one of the best teams in the nation all season. Mariota likely put the kibosh on his Heisman candidacy with five total touchdowns in Oregon's win over Arizona during the Pac-12 Championship game.
He has passed for 3,783 yards with 38 touchdowns and only two interceptions while completing 68.3 percent of his passes this season. He's also rushed for 669 yards and 14 touchdowns on a 5.7 yards per carry average. Mariota, who didn't even crack the top ten in Heisman finalists last season, is the nation's top passer with a rating of 186.3.
"It is humbling to be considered for an award that I have admired for a very long time," Mariota said in a statement. "I would like to thank my teammates and coaches as I could not have been recognized as a finalist without their help."
Oregon will face Florida State and last year's Heisman Trophy winner, Jameis Winston, in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.
Gordon will likely come up short in second-place. Despite his record breaking 408 yard explosion against Nebraska (a record that was broken a week later). Gordon was pretty quiet in the Big Ten Championship game, rushing for only 76 yards. Gordon does lead the nation in rushing, however, with 2,336 yards and 179.7 yards per game.
Cooper has been the standout offensive player on the nation's top seeded team this season. He set an SEC record this season with 115 receptions for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns. Cooper is the fourth Alabama player to be named a Heisman finalist since Mark Ingram became the Crimson Tide's first winner in 2009.
"This will be my first trip to New York City, and I can't put into words how much it means to me and my family," Cooper said in a statement. "I am privileged to have the opportunity to represent our team at the Heisman ceremony. None of this would be possible without my coaches and teammates."
