Numbers check for returning Heisman QBs
History doesn't bode well for returning Heisman QBs.
Fellow OU writer Jake Trotter spoke with Jason White for today’s Oklahoman. White, who won the Heisman Trophy in 2003, is one of five quarterbacks to return to college football after winning the Heisman.
Sam Bradford will be the sixth.
Of course, as I blogged about at length last week, the only two-time winner is a running back.
Here’s how the five quarterbacks fared in their defense of the Heisman:
Roger Staubach: 1963 winner
1963: 107 completions, 161 attempts, 66.5% completion %, 1,474 yards, 7 TD
1964: 119 completions, 204 attempts, 58.3% completion %, 1,131 yards, 4 TD
1964 Heisman finish: Received no votes. I guess we’ll call that a tie for 11th. (Winner: John Huarte, Notre Dame)
Ty Detmer: 1990 winner
1990: 362 completions, 561 attempts, 64.2% completion %, 5,188 yards, 41 TD, 24 INT
1991: 249 completions, 403 attempts, 61.8% completion %, 4,031 yards, 35 TD, 12 INT
1991 Heisman finish: 3rd. (Winner: Desmond Howard, Michigan)
Jason White: 2003 winner
2003: 278 completions, 451 attempts, 61.6% completion %, 3,846 yards, 40 TD, 10 INT
2004: 255 completions, 390 attempts, 65.4% completion %, 3,205 yards, 35 TD, 9 INT
2004 Heisman finish: 3rd. (Winner: Matt Leinart, USC)
Matt Leinart: 2004 winner
2004: 269 completions, 412 attempts, 65.3% completion %, 3,322 yards, 33 TD, 6 INT
2005: 283 completions, 431 attempts, 65.7% completion %, 3815 yards, 28 TD, 8 INT
2005 Heisman finish: 3rd. (Winner: Reggie Bush, USC)
Tim Tebow: 2007 winner
2007 passing: 234 completions, 350 attempts, 66.9% completion %, 32 TD, 6 INT
2008 passing: 192 completions, 298 attempts, 64.4% completion %, 30 TD, 4 INT
2007 rushing: 210 attempts, 895 yards, 23 TD (55 total TD)
2008 rushing: 176 attempts, 693 yards, 12 TD (42 total TD)
2008 Heisman finish: 3rd. (Winner: Sam Bradford, Oklahoma)
Sam Bradford: 2008 winner
2008: 328 completions, 483 attempts, 67.9% completion %, 4,720 yards, 50 TD, 8 INT
2009: ?
Only Leinart’s numbers made significant improvement, and he lost out to a player on his own team. I’m not sure which fact is more remarkable.
Most predict that Bradford’s numbers will also dip, but the Oklahoma coaching staff says he’s made significant improvement since last season. That may be true, but I doubt those improvements show up in his stat line.
Most often, the toughest competition for returning Heisman winners is themselves. Heisman repeats are difficult for a number of reasons, but a major one is if the numbers aren’t there, Heisman No. 2 won’t be either. Why that drop occurs is irrelevant.
Bradford’s movement up and down the weekly Heisman standings should be fascinating to watch. How much effect, positive or negative, his 2008 numbers have on that will probably be revisited later this year.
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