The Downtown Athletic Club made it's annual selection of the best college player in the country (that must handle the ball) by selecting Eric Crouch, the Nebraska quarterback (and running back and even receiver).
Crouch received 162 first place votes and 770 points overall. The second place finisher, and you can keep the his fresh in your mind for next season was Florida quarterback Rex Grossman who recieved 137 first place vote and 708 total points. It is possible that Crouch received a little more consideration as a Senior than Grossman who is only a Sophomore.
This season Eric Crouch ran for 1115 yards and 18 touchdowns and passed for 1510 yards and seven touchdowns. He also caught one pass for a touchdown as well.
What does this mean for the NFL prospect of Crouch? Certainly receiving the highest award in college never hurts a resume', but Crouch is 6'1" and 200 lbs. and is a shorter and lighter than what is considered as prototypical for a professional quarterback though he is relatively the same size as Michael Vick (6'0", 215 lbs.).
Some interesting facts you should know before you sign your kid up for PeeWee football in order to give him better odds at getting the Heisman:
- If you want a lucky number for your kid in peewee football, give him the #20. This number leads all others for Heisman winners - Billy Sims ('78), Earl Campbell ('77), Johnny Rodgers ('72), Mike Garrett ('65) and Billy Cannon ('59). I know Barry Sanders made #20 famous, but he was #21 at Oklahome State.
- Make him be the running back as they lead the quarterbacks in Heisman's 41-20. You might need to be a Head Coach to accomplish this.
- Influence your kid go to either Notre Dame (seven winners) or Ohio State (six winners). No other college has more than three.
- Just because your son gets older, do not worry about changing his first name to something more mature sounding. In the past three decades, winners have had the first names of Ricky, Danny, Eddie, Charlie, Ty, Tim, Vinny, Bo, Billy and Archie. Now - do you remember their last names?
Almost interesting facts you thought you could live without:
- Only two tight ends have won - Leon Hart ('49) and Larry Kelley ('36).
- Only two wide receivers have won - Tim Brown ('87) and Desmond Howard ('91)
- Only one defensive player has ever won - Charles Woodson ('97). It is notable that Woodson did, at least once, get used as a receiver as well.
Let's take a final look at the most recent Heisman awards, back to the oldest winner still active in the NFL.
| Year |
Pos |
Winner |
School |
NFL Impact |
| 2000 |
QB |
Chris Weinke |
Florida State |
The best QB from Florida, sadly |
| 1999 |
RB |
Ron Dayne |
Wisconsin |
Gained more yards in the Rose Bowl |
| 1998 |
RB |
Ricky Williams |
Texas |
Raging bull with an injury history. Maybe. |
| 1997 |
CB |
Charles Woodson |
Michigan |
Starting Cornerback |
| 1996 |
QB |
Danny Wuerffel |
Florida |
Renamed Danny Awful |
| 1995 |
RB |
Eddie George |
Ohio State |
Prototype workhorse |
| 1994 |
RB |
Rashaan Salaam |
Colorado |
One glorious year and then nada |
| 1993 |
QB |
Charlie Ward |
Florida State |
Um... that ball has no laces. And it's round. |
| 1992 |
QB |
Gino Torretta |
Miami |
Florida QB thing again |
| 1991 |
WR |
Desmond Howard |
Michigan |
Kick return specialist |
| 1990 |
QB |
Ty Detmer |
Brigham Young |
Banged around as an almost starter |
| 1989 |
QB |
Andre Ware |
Houston |
There is money in holding clipboards |
| 1988 |
RB |
Barry Sanders |
Oklahoma State |
This one was pretty good. Come back! |
| 1987 |
WR |
Tim Brown |
Notre Dame |
Started slow, now will not stop |
| 1986 |
QB |
Vinny Testaverde |
Miami |
Several good years, more bad ones though |
| 1985 |
RB |
Bo Jackson |
Auburn |
Bo knows hip injuries |
| 1984 |
QB |
Doug Flutie |
Boston College |
Awesome career..eh? |
Now coming to a TV near you in April, the NFL draft! |
