B/R Exclusive: Former OSU Legend Archie Griffin Weighs in on 2011 Heisman Race

This is part two of a two-part breakdown of my interview with college football's only two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin. (Click here for Part 1.)

In this segment, we discussed this year's Heisman Trophy race in which the three finalists that finished below Cam Newton are the favorites to win it this year. He talked highly of Andrew Luck, LaMichael James and Kellen Moore, and said that each of them is certainly a contender for this year's Heisman Trophy.

"They would have to be the leading candidates this year," he said. "You look at Andrew Luck, who was runner-up last year. He had a phenomenal year last year. LaMichael James had a phenomenal year. He's back, and I know he's excited about the upcoming season. And certainly Kellen Moore and the success he had at Boise State. They're all looking forward to having great seasons. And they're all ranked very high this year."

But although Griffin did say all three players are certainly favorites, he said that it doesn't necessarily guarantee that one of them will win the Heisman this year.

"One of the things about the Heisman Trophy is every year somebody else pops up," Griffin said. "That's probably one of the reasons you haven't seen somebody win it twice in recent times."

One of the names Archie described as potential outside candidates is South Carolina sophomore back Marcus Lattimore, who had a tremendous freshman season for Steve Spurrier.

"I did get to see him play a little bit last year," he said. "He is an outstanding back. And I expect that he'll have a great season this year. And I do put him right up there with some of the great running backs returning from a year ago like LaMichael James and certainly Trent Richardson."

In addition to the Heisman Trophy, of which Griffin is a voter, Archie also is heavily involved with the Wendy's High School Heisman award, which is given out to a handful of outstanding high school athletes from across the country.

He said that in order for a high school athlete to be considered a potential finalist, they need to do more than just be an outstanding athlete.

"You have to have a 3.0 or better (GPA) to qualify for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award," he said. "And we also wanted to recognize young people for their accomplishments on the field and the courts of play. And (they must) also be involved in their community."

Students eligible for the award would need to be nominated by their school's guidance counselor or their respective coach, Griffin said.

He said the selection process that determines who will receive the award is a very tough process and there are a large number of worthy candidates year-in and year-out. 

"Usually, you'll find that these young people are extraordinary when you look at their resumes and the information that they send in," Griffin said. "It's not uncommon to have all-state players or athletes...with a 4.1 or 4.2 grade-point averages who are spending 20 hours a week, 30 hours a week doing community service.

"And it's so good you wonder how can they do so much. But there's so many of them that it's truly amazing."

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