Jadeveon Clowney: Heisman 2013?

After setting the University of South Carolina’s single-season records for sacks and tackles for losses in his sophomore season, Jadeveon Clowney should be considered a legitimate Heisman contender for the 2013 trophy.

Clowney placed sixth in Heisman voting for the 2012 award, but it’s been over 15 years since the first – and last – primarily defensive player, Charles Woodson, won the Heisman Trophy.  Clowney’s stellar list of accolades speaks for itself and proves why the Gamecock could be the first true defensive player to win the award. 

Surely there’s competition.  Last year’s Heisman recipient, SEC quarterback Johnny Manziel, is seen by many as the favorite going into next year, but if Clowney has as hot of a season this year as he had last, his name is sure to be in legitimate contention.

 The 6-foot-6, 274-pound defensive end was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2012 (a first for a South Carolina player) and became the first true sophomore to win the Hendricks Award for most outstanding defensive end.  He was named first-team All SEC and statistically, Clowney recorded 13 sacks and 23.5 tackles for loss, which tied for third and second in the nation respectively.

His freshman season was just as outstanding.  In one of the most highly competitive collegiate divisions, Clowney was awarded the SEC Freshman of the Year award and was named to the second-team All SEC.  

What sets Clowney apart from his peers is his speed and physicality, his ability to get off the ball and on the edge.  His most memorable play, which was recently nominated for a 2013 ESPY for “Best Play”, came in the 2013 Outback Bowl.  Known as “the hit”, Clowney stopped Michigan running back Vincent Smith in the backfield for a loss of eight yards while forcing a fumble and recovering the fumble himself.  His play gave the ball back to the Gamecocks with great field position and led to an eventual touchdown.  In the Outback Bowl broadcast, former NFL head coach now turned ESPN analyst Jon Gruden said, “Not many guys I’ve ever seen can get off the ball and rock people like Clowney.”  His quickness and agility to get off the ball force turnovers is a skill set that is comparable to NFL defensive linemen.

Even though it’s only June, Clowney is expected to be the first overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft.  Former scout and now NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah called Clowney “on another planet” and gave him the highest grade he’s ever given a defensive lineman.

If there are criticisms of Clowney, it’s that contrary to the Outback Bowl play, he’s had trouble stopping the run and has taken plays off at times, but chances are he’ll make improvements for his junior season.  He’s a game changer.  If he can have more consistently big moments like his Outback Bowl play as well as the blindside sack/strip he had on Tennessee’s quarterback Tyler Bray, his plays will silence his doubters.

Pending Clowney stays healthy this fall, he could set South Carolina’s school sack record.  He only needs nine sacks to break the record of 29 and being that his stats have gone up from his freshman to sophomore year (8 to 13), he should be able to clinch this record during his time as a junior and hopefully hoist the Heisman in December.

- Hayley Elwood

@hayleyelwood

hayley.projectcfb@gmail.com

The First Ever Project CFB Roundtable

This is our first attempt at this, so lets just have fun and see what happens. I'm not sure if anything like this has ever really been done before, but hopefully it's a fairly new and fresh idea.

MATT

First of all I want to go into who we see in the National Championship Game. We are a ways out from the beginning of the season but we can see how close we get.

I can't imagine a National Championship Game that doesn't involve Nick Saban's Crimson Tide again. Alabama has been quite dominant over the past few years and I don't see 2013 being any different. I also feel like Ohio State has another good shot at going undefeated like they did last season. I'm going to go ahead and predict Bama vs OSU in the National Championship, with Alabama coming out victorious.

As far as the Heisman goes, I see Alabama coming away with this as well, as sophomore TJ Yeldon will do incredible things this season.

What do you guys think?

JACKSON

Alabama is a great team, no doubt. But this year I see them finally NOT winning the BCS Championship. And although I do see them getting past Virginia Tech and Texas A&M early in the season, they'll be handed a few defeats in the SEC, most notably by Auburn and LSU.

 

I honestly see Oregon and Notre Dame slipping down in the rankings, and opening up spots for teams like Clemson, Florida State and LSU. I'm going to go with a dark horse pick here (in my opinion), and I'm going to say that Clemson will make it to the National Championship game, taking on the LSU Tigers, and I see Clemson coming out on top!

 

Speaking of Clemson, I have their amazing quarterback Tajh Boyd winning the Heisman. I'm kind of high on Clemson this season if you don't get that already. Lol 

JOSH

Alabama is a great team, and arguably the most talented roster in the country, and I honestly do see them winning the SEC, but I see a team like Georgia or Florida pushing them in the SEC championship coming off a likely very brutal iron bowl. But I see them making in through the SEC undefeated after surviving the championship game and the Texas A&M, LSU and Auburn tests in the conference. Facing off with them is my dark horse pick for the season, and that is UCLA. I see them building on the impressive 2012 campaign and win the Pac 12. But I see Alabama winning a 3rd straight championship.

As far as the Heisman goes, I see Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater having an all time great season for Louisville at the quarterback position, culminating in a Heisman Trophy.

MATT

Could Bridgewater have a disadvantage because he plays at Louisville? I know they don't look at Louisville like they're a league below, but could he get passed up for a player from Alabama, Florida State or Ohio State?

JOSH

I think that even with Louisville might not be among the top teams in the country, at the very least they are in one of the power conferences in the country, unlike Kellen Moore when he was at Boise State (which some still may look at as a lesser program compared to the BCS powers). Which could help him. I could however see Braxton Miller being a name that could give him a run for his money, just look at the last three Heisman winners; Cam Newton, Robert Griffin III and Johnny Manziel. They are all dual threat quarterbacks, which if Miller has a Heisman caliber campaign in 2013, the rushing totals could make his case very convincing versus Bridgewater.

MATT

I think Teddy Bridgewater is an amazing athlete, and I really could see him be in the finalists for the Heisman, but how TJ Yeldon performed last season, even sitting behind Eddie Lacy and being a true freshman, I can't imagine him not coming up with the Heisman. Now that he'll take all the snaps at Alabama, unless he gets injured, I think he'll have it on lock. But that's the great thing about this game, you just never know!

JOSH

Very true. I do think Yeldon will be the preseason Heisman favorite in many peoples' eyes, but if the last few years are any indication, someone can come out of nowhere and take the country by storm. I mean, a year ago we were all think Matt Barkley had the Heisman on lock and the same goes for Andrew Luck the year before then BOOM! That's why we all love this game though, right?

Matt's Top Five Quarterbacks Going into the 2013 Season

Out of the last 12 Heisman Trophy winners, 11 have been quarterbacks. I don't see that changing this season. There are a lot of quarterbacks this season that are going to start the year out with a lot of hype.

This will be just like Josh's Top 5 Quarterbacks list that he recently posted, but with a few things different. The biggest difference is our Top 5. You'll see a few same names, but you'll see some differences as well. And I'm glad it worked out like that.

First of all, I'd like to start out with a couple of names that you may or may not have heard of, but that definitely deserve some recognition, and although we probably won't see them on any Heisman hype lists, they are very good at what they do.

Kain Colter, Northwestern, Junior

Last year Kain led the Wildcats to an overall record of 9-3, including a close loss to Michigan at Michigan Stadium. Colter three for only 872 yards, tossed eight touchdowns and four interceptions. But Kain's strengths seem to lie more in his legs. On the ground he rushed for nearly 900 yards, and punched it into the end zone 12 times. Colter is the electric kind of QB that Northwestern needs, and will look to lead the Wildcats to bigger and better things this season.

Rakeem Cato, Marshall,Sophomore 

Rakeem Cato produced very impressive numbers last season. He completed 406 passes out of 584 attempts. That's an average of 69.5%. He threw for 4,201 yards, which lands him into the top five of all college quarterbacks last season for passing yards. Cato also tossed 37 touchdowns, only giving up 11 interceptions. Very impressive numbers for the Marshall quarterback. Unfortunately Marshall only went 5-7 overall last season. If he can lead them to more wins, and produce the same kinds of numbers, he should see himself a lot more on SportsCenter.

Next on my list, are my honorable mentions. I feel that is fairly difficult coming up with a simple list of five quarterbacks that you see doing well for the season. Here are my honorable mentions.

Tajh Boyd, Clemson

Connor Shaw, South Carolina

Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois

Aaron Murray, Georgia

AJ McCarron, Alabama

I know you're probably thinking, did he really just put Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron in his honorable mentions category? Yes, I did. With their schedules, I honestly don't see them having any kind of outstanding Heisman Trophy winning seasons. I see them having good seasons, but nothing that makes them stand out among this year's many impressive quarterbacks.

Now, lets get to the main concept of this article. Lets get to my top five quarterbacks going into this next college football season!

5. Marcus Mariota, Oregon, Sophomore

Mariota completed 230 passes of 336 attempts. The 230 competitions added up to a total of 2,677 yards. Marcus, who was a true freshman last season, threw for 32 touchdowns, and only threw six interceptions. Marcus led the Ducks to an 11-1 overall record. But with Chip Kelly leaving Oregon for the NFL, many wonder how much different the Oregon Ducks' offense will be. But either way, Marcus Mariota is an electric QB who should have an impressive season.

4. Devin Gardner, Michigan, Junior

Now the stats won't look as impressive for Devin Gardner as many others on this list. Gardner was the back up for college football superstar Denard Robinson. Gardner didn't see significant playing time until November 3rd when the Wolverines played the Minnesota Golden Gophers. In that game, Gardner led the Wolverines to a victory. Gardner finally won himself the starting quarterback job at Michigan, where he only lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes (not counting Michigan's close loss to South Carolina in the Outback Bowl).

Gardner only completed 59.5% of his passes. Not a great percentage, but also a little higher than his bitter rival Braxton Miller. Gardner threw 11 touchdown passes last season and tossed five interceptions. Devin is a dual threat quarterback, but only rushed for seven touchdowns last season.

Michigan's offense is going to look a lot different without Denard Robinson in the lineup, but Devin Gardner has been ready to become the centerpiece of the Wolverines' offense, and should have quite an impressive season this year.

3. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, Sophomore

Yes, I have the defending Heisman Trophy winner listed at number three. Hey, Josh had him at five!

Manziel had quite an impressive run last season. And I won't deny, I'm sure he'll eventually have another. Could he win the Heisman for a second time, a feat only Archie Griffin from Ohio State has done? I believe he could. But not after the season he had last season.

We all know, Manziel electrified crowds last season. Throwing for a little over 3,700 yards and 26 touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 1,409 yards and 21 touchdowns, Manziel really earned his nickname, "Johnny Football". I just can't see Johnny Football being able to keep this pace up for a second straight year, especially continuing to play in the SEC.

Manziel will wow crowds once again this upcoming season, but I see him coming up a little short compared to last season.

2. Braxton Miller, Ohio State, Junior

Braxton Miller is the perfect fit for head coach Urban Meyer. I believe they proved that when the Buckeyes went 12-0 last season. Surely they would have either played Notre Dame or Alabama in the National Championship Game if it wasn't for NCAA sanctions that Ohio State had from the big controversy with Jim Tressel over tattoos, awards, and some other things.

However the Buckeyes are ready to forget about all that, and concentrate on another undefeated season, with Braxton Miller at the driver's seat. Miller completed 148 passes of 254 attempts. He threw for a little over 2,000 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed for 1,271 yards and hit pay dirt 13 times.

Miller will look to try to recreate the magic he created last season, and Urban Meyer will be looking for the same thing. You know what they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

1. Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville, Junior

Just like my colleague Josh, I have to put Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater as my number one quarterback. Bridgewater impressed us all last season with his 287 passes totally for 3,718 yards. His completion average was 68.5%. But even more impressive, Teddy threw 27 touchdown passes and only tossed up eight interceptions. 

Not only do I feel that Teddy Bridgewater will have a break out year this year because of his abilities, but I think the Louisville schedule also benefits Teddy. I believe that we will see him shred a few of these secondaries up, while also showing his versatility by getting his feet involved in this offense.

The Cardinals have been an impressive team as of late, going 10-2 last season and defeating the #3 Florida Gators in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Teddy Bridgewater will look to lead the Cardinals to another high profile bowl game this season, but he very well may be bringing the Heisman Trophy right along with him. We'll see.

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle

matt.projectcfb@gmail.com

Josh's Top Five Quarterbacks Going into the 2013 Season

There's an old adage in football, if you don't have a quarterback you cant win at the highest level. This definitely resonates into major college football this season. If you look at many of the top teams going into the 2013 season, they all have an experienced starting quarterback in place going into the summer workout and training camp period of their season. Each of the 5 quarterbacks on this list are likely going to be talked up all summer as leaders of their offenses and as potential Heisman hopefuls in 2013. Now, let's cut this chit chat and just get into my top 5 quarterbacks going into the 2013 season....

5) Braxton Miller (junior) Ohio State

The Buckeyes' electrifying signal caller showed the country just what he is capable of last season accounting for over 3300 yards of total offense in Urban Meyer's wide open offense and is the best dual threat quarterback in the country going into this season. Despite him being 4 inches and about 30 pounds smaller, he reminds me of Cam Newton in many ways, namely in the way he moves around in the pocket and the way he looks as a runner, and quite honestly, a Newton-esque breakout in 2013 would not shock me one bit. Miller might not be the most accurate passer on this list, completing less than 59% of his passes in 2012, but he seems to have the knack for the big play, with 13 of his touchdowns coming on plays of 40 yards or more. However, in order to ascend to that Newton level I mentioned before, he will need to get his completion percentage up a bit and be more of a threat through the air, which would make his running that much more deadly. Despite only having one year of starting under his belt, I have no issues about ranking him over a more experienced quarterback like Clemson's Tahj Boyd (who my colleague Jackson McNamara is extremely high on)  mainly because I believe that Miller's best has yet to be seen. However, at this point it's all potential and if Urban Meyer can tap into that potential like he did former Gators quarterback Tim Tebow, the sky is the limit for Miller and the Buckeyes this year.

4) AJ McCarron (senior) Alabama

The Alabama signal caller is easily the most successful quarterback on this list, with two national championships under his belt and two losses as a starter, his win/loss stats are second to none. However, the biggest knock on him is that ever so controversial "game manager" title that the dominant Alabama defense and run game would give to anybody under center. McCarron definitely can manage the game very well though, he has only thrown 8 interceptions in two seasons as a full time starter (as well as a little bit of playing time in garbage time as a freshmen). He routinely has a completion percentage in the high 60s and is very efficient with his decisions. However, the biggest question I have about him is how well could he play if an opposing defense is able to contain that highly touted running game that seems to produce Heisman caliber runners every season. McCarron has been lucky to get to play with tailbacks like Trent Richardson, Eddie Lacy and TJ Yeldon in his career, which would make any quarterback's job easier. He is at his best when that running game is rolling and is able to take advantage of his underrated athleticism on bootlegs and play action fakes to allow the receivers to get a little separation and simply hit the open man. He rarely forces a ball into coverage and understands his progressions better than most at this level, but at times he lacks a big time arm to zip the ball down the field if needed.

3) Johnny Manziel (sophomore) Texas A&M

Now, I know what you are thinking; how can this dude really have the reigning Heisman trophy winner at 3rd?! But hear me out, Johnny Football had a phenomenal season, no doubt. He completed 68% of his passes for 3706 yards and 26 touchdowns, and also added over 1400 yards on the ground, including over 200 against Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. Those numbers are even more impressive if you take into consideration that the Aggies played their first season in the SEC.  But this list, more than anything is attempting to project going forward, and I truly believe that Manziel will take a step backward in his second season. I think that many pundits are underestimating the losses of Luke Joeckell, Christian Michael and Ryan Swope to the NFL, who were three of the major components of the Aggies offense along with Manziel. Now with more of the focus on him exclusively, as well as losing one of the finest offensive tackles in the country, and with teams in the SEC who will undoubtedly spend most of the off season watching and scheming against, I have a hard time buying into the Manziel Heisman repeat talk. Can he have another great season? Sure. But I don't see him single handedly taking over games in 2013 like he did in 2012. I feel that teams will do a much better job containing Manziel's backyard football-esque style of play forcing him to be more of a pure pocket passer that isn't where he is at his best. He is at his best when the play breaks down and he's forced to improvise.

2) Aaron Murray (senior) Georgia

Aaron Murray is among the most decorated quarterbacks in Georgia Bulldogs history, he has passed for over 3,000 yards and 24 or more touchdowns each season he has been in Athens. His performance during his junior season definitely gives Bulldogs fans something to be optimistic about going into his senior season. In 2012 he completed 64.5% of his passes for 3893 yards and 36 touchdown passes (to only 10 interceptions) and was among the finest quarterbacks in the country, and in this analysts opinion, he should have been among the Heisman finalists last season. Unfortunately, what is holding Murray back from being higher on the lists is questions about his arm strength. Now, I don't feel that you need to have a cannon arm to be a successful quarterback, but too many times Murray looked too inaccurate on deep passes down the field and  lacked the touch to drop passes into tight windows (very much like the aforementioned McCarron of Alabama). This was very evident in the Bulldogs' two biggest games of the year; the home showdown with Florida where he was brutal (as was the rest of the UGA offense) and threw 3 interceptions and in the SEC championship against Alabama where he just looked off target most of the day. I do think that Murray is a fine quarterback, and many teams would be happy to have him as their starter. I do think he is poised for another strong season, it is hard to think of many quarterbacks with more of a pedigree and track record than Murray in college football today.

1) Teddy Bridgewater (junior) Louisville

The Cardinals' signal caller is a relative unknown to the casual college football fan, but many analysts feel he is poised to have a breakout 2013 season, myself included. The Louiville quarterback quietly threw for 3718 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2012 with little fanfare in the Big East, highlighted by many with his Willis Reed like performance off the bench (with a sprained wrist/ankle) against Rutgers, leading the Cardinals to a comeback 20-17 win to earn Louisville a Sugar Bowl berth where he lead his team to a 33-23 victory over the highly favored Florida Gators and completed 62.5% of his passes for 266 yards against one of the better defensive units in the country, and easily the best team they played in 2012. One of the most over-used and hardest to explain qualities in a quarterback is leadership ability, and Bridgewater displays that in every aspect. It also helps that this kid can flat out sling it. As a sophomore he improved drastically on his decision making, and this showed on the field. After throwing a little over 2100 yards as a freshmen, in 2012, his first full year as a starter, he threw for close to 3800 yards. I truly feel that he can be a true breakout player in 2013 and is a very likely candidate for Heisman frontrunner in 2013, despite the conference he plays in not being among the highest quality in many peoples eyes, myself included.

- Josh Gamez

@itsjoshgamez

josh.projectcfb@gmail.com