The most prestigious best player in college football award. It is named after former college football player and coach John Heisman. The bronze trophy has been given out since 1935. Today, there are 870 votes for the winner.

The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award (usually known colloquially as the Heisman Trophy or the Heisman), named after the former Brown University and University of Pennsylvania college football player and coach John Heisman, is awarded annually by the Heisman Trophy Trust to the most outstanding player in collegiate football. While it is not the only award honoring the most outstanding player in college football – Walter Camp Award and Maxwell Award are awarded to the “best player” – it is considered the most prestigious and receives the most media attention. It is awarded in early December before the postseason bowl games begin. Only one player has ever won the Heisman twice, Archie Griffin of the Ohio State Buckeyes in 1974 and 1975. Tim Tebow of the Florida Gators, Sam Bradford of the Oklahoma Sooners, and Mark Ingram, Jr. of the Alabama Crimson Tide have won the award as sophomores. Sophomores have won the last three consecutive years.

Winning the Heisman Trophy does not guarantee future success at the NFL level. Only eight winners of the Heisman are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame,but four winners have also been named Most Valuable Player in a Super Bowl. Some other winners have gone on to play in other professional sports, including Bo Jackson in baseball and Charlie Ward in basketball.

The trophy itself, designed by sculptor Frank Eliscu, is modeled after Ed Smith, a leading player in 1934 for the now defunct New York University football team.The trophy is made out of cast bronze, is 13.5 inches (34.3 cm) tall and weighs 25 pounds (11.3 kg)

The Morris Trophy is a unique award given to the outstanding offensive and defensive linemen in the Pacific-10 Conference. What makes the award unique is the selection procedure, which has the starting offensive linemen in the Conference voting for the defensive winner and vice versa. It is truly a players’ award.

Mack, a 6-foot-5, 316-pound senior from Santa Barbara, Calif., was named a first-team All-Pac-10 performer for the third straight year in voting by the Pac-10 head coaches and also has been selected the second-team All-America center by the Walter Camp Foundation. In addition, Mack became the first Pac-10 player to be awarded the prestigious Draddy Trophy by the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame to the nation’s top scholar-athlete. He has started all 37 games at center for the Golden Bears the last three seasons. In addition to his prowess on the field, Mack was named a first-team Pac-10 All-Academic selection by virtue of a 3.60 grade-point average in Graduate Studies.
Reed, a 6-foot-2, 255-pound senior from Trabuco Canyon, Calif., has been selected first-team All-Pac-10 by the Conference head coaches for the last two years and is a first-team All-America selection by the Walter Camp Foundation this year. Reed had a spectacular senior season as he led the Pac-10 in quarterback sacks with 13 and in tackles for loss with 19.5. With Reed as the leader, Oregon led the Pac-10 in sacks with 38. Like Mack, Reed is a first-team Pac-10 All-Academic selection boasting a 3.44 grade-point average in History. He also served as a Duck captain this season.

Mack and Reed will be presented their awards at a luncheon at the prestigious Washington Athletic Club in Seattle in January, 2009. The Morris Trophy is sponsored by the Morris Family of Woodway, Wash., and the Washington Athletic Club.

Previous Morris Trophy Winners

Year Offense Defense
1980 Roy Foster, USC Vince Goldsmith, Oregon
1981 Roy Foster, USC Fletcher Jenkins, Washington
1982 Bruce Matthews, USC George Achica, USC
1983 Gary Zimmerman, Oregon Keith Millard, Washington State
1984 Dan Lynch, Washington State Ron Holmes, Washington
1985 Jeff Bregel, USC Erik Howard, Washington State
1986 Danny Villa, Arizona State Reggie Rogers, Washington
1987 Randall McDaniel, Arizona State Dana Wells, Arizona
1988 Joe Tofflemire, Arizona Dana Wells, Arizona
1989 Bern Brostek, Washington Esera Tuaolo, Oregon State
1990 Pat Harlow, USC Steve Emtman, Washington
1991 Lincoln Kennedy, Washington Steve Emtman, Washington
1992 Lincoln Kennedy, Washington Rob Waldrop, Arizona
1993 Todd Steussie, California D’Marco Farr, Washington
1994 Tony Boselli, USC Chad Eaton, Washington State
1995 Jonathan Ogden, UCLA Tedy Bruschi, Arizona
1996 Bob Sapp, Washington Darrell Russell, USC
1997 Olin Kreutz, Washington Jeremy Staat, Arizona State
1998 Yusuf Scott, Arizona Inoke Breckterfield, Oregon State
1999 Travis Claridge, USC Willie Howard, Stanford
2000 Chad Ward, Washington Andre Carter, California
2001 Levi Jones, Arizona State Kenyon Coleman, UCLA
2002 Kwame Harris, Stanford Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
2003 Jacob Rogers, USC Dave Ball, UCLA
2004 Adam Snyder, Oregon Bill Swancutt, Oregon State
2005 Ryan O’Callaghan, California Haloti Ngata, Oregon
2006 Ryan Kalil, USC Sedrick Ellis, USC
2007 Alex Mack, California Sedrick Ellis, USC
2008 Alex Mack, California Nick Reed, Oregon
Originally posted in Pac-10.org.

Heisman Trophy to be in Green Valley on Thursday

The Heisman Trophy, which will be presented to this year’s best college football player, will be on display at Cole Nissan on Thursday from 8:30 a.m.- 7 p.m. The 25-pound Heisman Trophy will be in Green Valley as part of ESPN’s two-month Gridiron Blowout Trophy Tour.

Originated from the Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Could Florida's Tim Tebow join former Ohio State great Archie Griffin as the only players to win multiple Heisman Trophies? The Gators’ dual-threat quarterback is the betting favorite on betED.com’s odds for the 2008 Heisman.

Here is a look at betED.com’s favorites and a breakdown of their chances of hoisting college football’s most prestigious award.

Tim Tebow, Florida QB – 250: In 2007, he was a one-man wrecking crew for the Gators, passing for 3,286 yards and 32 touchdowns and rushing for 895 yards and 25 more scores. Tebow’s top three receivers return, including star Percy Harvin. So every 2008 Heisman Trophy Prediction list must start with the reigning winner. But Tebow wore down a bit last year, and Urban Meyer has said he doesn’t want his bruising lefty to run the ball as much this year and thus save him from punishment. So with Chris Rainey, Emmanuel Moody and even Harvin getting plenty of carries, there’s no way Tebow’s 2008 numbers will match last season’s, even though the Gators are likely a better team. Make or break game: 10/11 vs. LSU.

Chase Daniel, Missouri QB – 400: Daniel finished fourth in last year’s voting, and four other players who have finished fourth in Heisman voting have won it the next year, with the last being USC’s Charles White in 1978. The reigning Big 12 offensive player of the year could get a major campaign boost if he somehow leads the Tigers to a BCS title game. He will need to get people to forget last season’s Big 12 title game performance against Oklahoma. Make or break game: 10/18 at Texas.

Chris Wells, Ohio State RB – 400: Could a Buckeye win the Heisman Trophy for the second time in three years? Wells could certainly surpass 2,000 yards on the ground this season as the loaded Buckeyes beat up on the weak Big Ten. However, Ohio State’s bowl failures recently could sway voters against “Beanie.” If Wells goes off on USC in that mega-matchup on Sept. 13, then watch out. But if the Buckeyes lay another big-game egg, it will be hard for Wells to recover. Make or break game: 9/13 at USC.

Knowshon Moreno, Georgia RB – 500: Moreno was brilliant as a freshman, but will Heisman voters award this trophy to a sophomore for the second straight year after having never done it previously? In addition, Moreno will have to compete for votes on his own team with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Surprisingly, no SEC running back has won the Heisman since a certain Bo in 1985. These odds are too high. Make or break game: 10/25 at LSU.

Matthew Stafford, Georgia QB – 800: Georgia is a running team, and Stafford’s not even the most hyped, or best, player on his own offense (see above). Hard to believe no Bulldog has won the Heisman since Herschel Walker. One won’t this year either. Make or break game: 9/20 at Arizona State.

LeSean McCoy, Pittsburgh RB – 800: You could argue McCoy was better than Georgia’s Moreno in their freshman seasons last year. But Pitt is way off the national radar, and while it may be improved this year the Heisman voters won’t give the award to a player on a middling team not named Notre Dame. Make or break game: 10/2 at South Florida.

Percy Harvin, Florida WR – 800: It would seem Florida would have too many weapons for Harvin to get enough touches to put up monster numbers. This is a decent price for a sleeper who is as electrifying as any player in the country. But Harvin can’t stay healthy for a full season, and he is coming heel surgery in the offseason. If he can stay healthy, this is a good value bet. Make or break game: 9/20 at Tennessee.

Graham Harrell, Texas Tech QB – 800: This guy will put up better numbers than any quarterback in the country, but that’s part of the problem: Most think Harrell is just a product of Mike Leach’s system. In addition, Michael Crabtree could steal Harrell’s thunder. Make or break game: 11/1 vs. Texas.

Pat White, West Virginia QB – 800: Of the 2008 Heisman Trophy Predictions, I left the best price on betED.com’s board for last. White is the best running quarterback in the country, and he won’t have to share the spotlight with Steve Slaton any longer. Noel Devine is another story. If the Mountaineers can run the table they become the story of the year in the wake of Rich Rodriguez bolting the program for Michigan. And no one would benefit more from that publicity than White. In addition, the Mountaineers say they will throw downfield a bit more this season, so that will help White’s typically average passing stats. Make or break game: 10/23 vs. Auburn.

Originally Written by Matt Severance, www.oddsandnews.com

Winning the Heisman Trophy does not guarantee a college football player a long and successful pro career, although every football player would love the bronze statue displayed on their mantle. Even if they do not have a successful career, they could use it like O.J. did as collateral to help pay off civil penalties.

In college football the Heisman Trophy is awarded usually to a quarterback or running back that is playing for a BCS contender. That is why most college football standouts have no chance of being awarded the Heisman Trophy. You can blame this on the American media hype machine.

USC’s John David Booty and Louisville’s Brian Brohm are two quarterbacks with the best chance at winning the Heisman Trophy in 2007. This season both of these quarterbacks lead their teams and have BCS Bowl aspirations. The winner of this race should have the edge for the Heisman Trophy.

West Virginia and Rutgers will give Brohm and the Cardinals a tough fight in the Big East this year. In last year’s Orange Bowl game and with 311 yards against Wake Forest showed that Brian Brohm has a great arm and that he is capable of making things happen. Last season Brohm missed two football games which affected his numbers, and if he starts to miss games this year his Heisman opportunity could disappear.

If you play quarterback at USC it makes you a Heisman contender by default it seems, although Booty is the real deal. In the Rose Bowl last year Booty’s immense skill shined with 391 yards and four touchdowns as they defeated Michigan. If Booty could post some big numbers with far fewer offensive weapons around him, he could get more Heisman votes, and if he gets his team back to the BSC Bowl this year, he could become the fourth player at USC in the last six years to win the Heisman Trophy.

If a quarterback does not win the Heisman, it is a running back that usually walks away with the trophy. Darren McFadden of Arkansas and Steve Slaton of West Virginia are this year’s biggest college standouts in the backfield.

Last year McFadden was the runner-up to Troy Smith, and that makes him the Heisman contender by default. Although, McFadden will have to exceed his numbers this year if he has any chance to win the Heisman Trophy. McFadden with his size, speed and power has the talent to do it this season.

Slaton who has blazing speed and a never-quit attitude, might be the best running back in college football today, and who fights hard for every yard that he obtains. This determination and drive showed up last year as he rushed for an incredible seven yards per carry. If Slaton can repeat these numbers, he should be able to help take West Virginia to the top of the Big East and earn himself valuable Heisman Trophy consideration.

Originally Written By James Murray, Amazines.com

Berry Tramel ranks the best trophies in college football- TREASURES OF VICTORY

?1. Little Brown Jug Trophy: Michigan & Minnesota. In 1903, Michigan coach Hurryup Fielding Yost left his water jug in a Minnesota locker room, later asked for it back and was told he’d have to win it back. And so Michigan has, mostly, for more than a century.

?2. Victory Bell Trophy: Cincinnati & Miami-Ohio. Cincy fans “borrowed” Miami’s bell in the 1890s, and it’s been traveling ever since.

?3. Old Oaken Bucket Trophy: Indiana & Purdue. Established in 1925.

?4. Golden Egg Trophy: Mississippi State & Ole Miss. Established in 1927 to serve as bounty for the winner so the goal posts wouldn’t be destroyed.

?5. Commander in Chief’s Trophy: Air Force, Army & Navy. Later-generation hardware, but the most noble, given to the round-robin winner among the service academies.

?6. Paul Bunyan’s Axe Trophy: Minnesota & Wisconsin. Established in 1948 and symbolic of the lumberjack regions of these schools. Minnesota would have some cool trophies, if the Gophers could win more consistently.

?7. Illy Illibuck Trophy: Ohio State & Illinois. A wooden turtle trophy, established in 1926, a year after the winner was awarded a real turtle.

?8. Golden Hat Trophy: Oklahoma & Texas. Actually started in 1929 as the Bronze Hat, a gift from the Texas State Fair for agreeing to play in Dallas.

?9. Jeweled Shillelagh Trophy: USC & Notre Dame. Produced in 1952 to celebrate the 26-year anniversary of the rivalry.

?10. Apple Cup Trophy: Washington State & Washington. Simple yet elegant name for a trophy instituted in 1962.

?11. Old Brass Spittoon Trophy: Michigan State & Indiana. Established 1950. The Big Ten clearly has the corner on great trophies.

?12. Platypus Trophy: Oregon State & Oregon. Established in 1959 but mysteriously disappeared in 1961 before reappearing in this decade. Makes this list because a platypus has features of both a duck and a beaver.

?13. Iron Skillet Trophy: SMU & TCU. Legend has it, an SMU tailgater in the 1950s was frying frog legs, and one thing led to another.

?14. Fremont Cannon Trophy: UNLV & Nevada. A replica of a cannon that explorer John Fremont hauled West and abandoned in an 1844 snowdrift. Actually fired until 1999.

?15. Telephone Trophy: Missouri & Iowa State. Seems the opposing coaches in 1959 could hear each other on rotary pressbox phones. The gaffe was fixed before kickoff, but Northwestern Bell had a trophy made to honor the occasion.

Originally written by Berry Tramel

Elon University receiver Bo Williamson and running back A.J. Harris received Southern Conference honors Monday.

Williamson was named the league’s Special Teams Player of the Week. Harris was picked as the on the conference.

Williamson, a senior out of Cummings High School, complied a career-high 120 return yards — 106 on three kickoff returns and 14 on a punt return — on his way to piling up 287 all-purpose yards in Elon’s 66-12 victory against Presbyterian on Saturday night at Rhodes Stadium. He also blocked a punt that was returned by teammate Charles Ball for a touchdown.

Williamson ranks seventh in the College football Championship Subdivision in all-purpose yards with 189.7 per game and 20th in kickoff returns with 26.7 yards per return.

Harris rushed for a game-high and career-high 91 yards on seven carries — 13 yards per carry — and a career-high three touchdowns.

Elon has two Southern Conference Players of the Week in the same week for the first time in three seasons. Three-time reigning national champion Appalachian State didn’t play last week.

Other Southern Conference honorswent to Georgia Southern quarterback Antonio Henton (Offensive Player of the Week) and Western Carolina linebacker Quinton Phillips (Defensive Player of the Week).

Originated from Times-News

Trophy news from California

Here’s the release:

Cal senior linebacker Zack Follett was chosen as the Lott Trophy IMPACT Player of the Week presented by Wachovia on Wednesday for his efforts against Washington State last Saturday.

Follett scored on a 65-yard return of a blocked field goal, had a sack and another tackle for loss in Cal’s 66-3 conference road win over the Cougars. Cal will receive $1,000 for its general scholarship fund in recognition of Follett’s performance.

“Follett’s run back of the blocked field goal came early in the second quarter with the Cougars down only 21-3 and attempting to cut the lead to 15 points,” said former Washington Head Coach Don James, and voting member of The Legends Football Coaches Association. “His touchdown put the game out of reach for Washington State and allowed Cal to cruise to an easy victory.”

Follett has amassed 11 tackles on the young 2008 campaign, including a team-best 3.5 for losses, to go along with a sack. The product of Clovis also chipped in with eight tackles (fourth-best career performance) against Michigan State in the season opener.

Named after Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, The Lott Trophy is awarded to college football’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. Now in its fifth year, The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player.

Sponsored by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation in Newport Beach, Calif., the award is given to a player who exhibits the same characteristics Lott embodied during his distinguished career: Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

David Pollack of Georgia won the initial Lott Trophy in 2004. DeMeco Ryans of Alabama won the award in 2005 Daymeion Hughes of Cal was the recipient in 2006 and Glenn Dorsey of LSU in 2007. Georgia, Alabama, Cal and LSU each received $25,000 for their general scholarship funds. In four years, the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation has donated more than $450,000 to various charities, including the four universities.

Voters for the award include selected members of the national media, previous finalists, the Board of Directors of the Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation, The IMPACT Foundation Board of Advisers comprised of many retired NFL players and the Legends Coaches, a distinguished group of former head college coaches.

Other players receiving consideration for this week’s award from the Legends Coaches were Brit Miller of Illinois, Jan Jorgensen of BYU, Darryl Richard of Georgia Tech and James Laurinaitis of Ohio State.

Originally written by Ted Miller.

Trophy News from ESPN

Kobe Bryant recently said he would rather win an Olympic gold medal than the NBA championship. Was he merely saying what was politically correct before the Olympics? Did he say it only because it sounds better than “I would rather win an Olympic gold medal than lose the NBA championship”? Or does an Olympic gold medal really mean more to him than a professional championship?

Only Kobe knows for sure but what about you? What sporting trophy means the most to you? Of all the things you could win in sports, which would you choose? A Super Bowl ring? The Masters green jacket? The Heisman Trophy? The Cy Young Award? A World Series? A Final Four? There are dozens upon dozens of championships and awards to win, but which would you most want to claim?

Here are a few quick caveats on my rankings:

The form of the award matters. Trophies top plaques, and the bigger the better. After all, you want the damn thing to look impressive in your trophy case.

Names count, too. Awards named in honor of a person (such as the Cy Young) just resonate more than those that, while prestigious, are named something boring and generic like the “MVP award.”

Durability counts. Generally, the longer the award has been around, the more it means.

Originally Written by Jim Caple for ESPN