LSU Football: Should Defensive Back Tyrann Mathieu Be Considered for a Heisman?

The story of LSU's season so far has been their absolute domination on defense. They have been the primary reason that three ranked opponents have fallen in three weeks, and they have their sights set on overtaking the Oklahoma Sooners for the No. 1 ranking in all of college football.

A lot has been said of QB Jarrett Lee's ability to manage games in the absence of Jordan Jefferson.  LSU has the speed and intelligence to run with just about any offense in the country.

One of the stars on defense is DB Tyrann Mathieu.  Against West Virginia, he was all over the field.  He even knocked a fumble during a play that most thought was over. Pairing with fellow CB Morris Claiborne, they make one of the best cornerback duos in the country. 

LSU has limited West Virginia, Mississippi State and Oregon to season lows in points and passing yards in their wins against those teams in dominating fashion.

The defense is so fast and flies to the football, that opposing offensive coordinators have to constantly adjust their game plans to not get caught in the vice grip that is the Tigers defense.

In the history of the Heisman Trophy, only Michigan's Charles Woodson ever won the nation's highest collegiate award, so a cornerback has to make a compelling case in order to even be a finalist for the award. Tyrann Mathieu has made an early case to be the second player to win the award due to his excellent presence over the middle and his ability to cover just about any route, and the exciting aspect is that he is only a sophomore so he will only get better.

Tyrann Mathieu will follow in the line of great cornerbacks to come out of LSU, such as Patrick Peterson and Corey Webster, and he will be a key cog in the LSU defense for the two years ahead.