Alabama teammates Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith, along with Trevor Lawrence of Clemson and Kyle Trask of Florida, have been named finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Heisman will be awarded on January 5 during a virtual ceremony. He Coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the usual trip to New York for the presentation of the trophy that usually involves being a finalist.
Jones and Smith are the eighth group of teammates finalists together since the tradition began in 1982. Smith is trying to become the first receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard of Michigan in 1991.
If not Smith, who leads the nation in receptions (98) and receiving yards (1,511), the winner will be a quarterback for the 13th time in 15 years.
Jones leads the nation in efficiency rating (202.34), finishing percentage (76.5) and yards per pass (11.4), with 32 touchdown passes.
The best-ranked Crimson Tide will play Notre Dame’s No. 4 in the semifinals of the college football playoff on Jan. 1.
Jones or Smith would become Heisman’s third winner in Alabama, but first he’s not a runner. Mark Ingram (2009) and Derrick Henry (2015) were Heisman’s first winners in the Tide.
Lawrence was the preseason favorite to win the award, but losing two games after hiring the COVID-19 slowed his campaign. The junior quarterback and the alleged first-team pick in the next NFL draft did not play against Boston College and Notre Dame.
He played in the rematch of the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship against the Fighting Irish last weekend and led the Tigers to an explosive victory. In the season, Lawrence has thrown 2,753 yards and 22 touchdowns in nine games, helping Clemson reach the playoffs for the third time in his career.
Clemson’s No. 2 plays Ohio State’s No. 3 in the Sugar Bowl semifinals on January 1st. Lawrence would be the first winner of Heisman of the Tigers.
Trask leads the country with 43 touchdown passes and 4,125 yards. The senior is trying to join Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel and Tim Tebow as Florida winner quarterback Heisman.
The rest of the top 10 were revealed in order, starting with Alabama runner-up Najee Harris.
Iowa State runner-up Breece Hall was sixth, followed by Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book, and closed Florida, Kyle Pitts.