Baker Mayfield headlines 2017 Heisman Trophy finalists
By John Buhler
Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Stanford running back Bryce Love and Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson are the 2017 Heisman Trophy finalists.
The most prestigious individual award in all of sport is one step closer towards being handed out again. On Monday evening, the finalists were announced for the 2017 Heisman Trophy. Making the trip to New York will be Oklahoma Sooners redshirt quarterback Baker Mayfield, Stanford Cardinal junior running back Bryce Love and Louisville Cardinals junior quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Mayfield quarterbacks the No. 2 team in the nation. Oklahoma won the Big 12 for the third straight season. The Sooners will be playing in its second College Football Playoff with Mayfield in the ‘gun. They will meet the No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs in the Rose Bowl.
Mayfield has finished in the top-four of the Heisman voting the last two seasons. He made the trip to New York last year, finishing third behind Jackson and Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson. In 13 games for the Sooners, Mayfield has completed 71.0 percent of his passes for 4,340 yards, 41 touchdowns and five interceptions. He is the presumed favorite to win the trophy.
Love had a breakout season for the Cardinal in the Pac-12. While the Cardinal lost some games this year, Stanford did enough to win the Pac-12 North division title before falling to the USC Trojans in the Pac-12 Championship by a field goal. No. 15 Stanford will play the No. 13 TCU Horned Frogs in the Alamo Bowl.
Love had 237 carries for 1,973 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns. His yards per attempt was a ridiculous 8.3. Keep in mind that Love did not play in all 13 games for the Cardinal this season. He was held out in a Thursday night road game against the division rival Oregon State Beavers.
Jackson is in rare company, as he has a chance to be the second repeat winner of the Heisman Trophy. He beat out Watson, Mayfield, Oklahoma wide receiver Dede Westbrook and Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jabrill Peppers to win the 2016 Heisman as a true sophomore for Louisville.
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In his junior campaign, Jackson has completed 60.4 percent of his passes for 3,489 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. As a runner, had 208 carries for 1,443 yards and 17 touchdowns. Louisville will play the No. 24 Mississippi State Bulldogs in the TaxSlayer Bowl.