2009 sets stage for Heisman history

The 2009 college football season is poised for a historic event.

I can’t say with certainty that it hasn’t happened before, since in my laziness I refuse to dig into years past, but as for recent times, I can’t recall a similar happening.

In January of this year, two Heisman Trophy-winners faced each other in the National Championship game, just as they did in 2004 (White vs. Leinart).

To my recollection, I can’t think of another time where we had a college football season begin with two Heisman Trophy-winners on team rosters.

Think about it, by December 2009, there’s the possibility of having three Heisman winners active in the same football season. Has that ever happened?

Now, think about this.

Ohio State’s Archie Griffin still remains the only two-time Heisman winner. If ever there was an opportunity to have another repeat of this accomplishment, it would be in this upcoming season.

The 2007 and 2008 Heisman winners (Tebow and Bradford) will appear in the 2009 season. When you give it deeper thought, are there many contenders remaining?

The only player to join Bradford and Tebow in New York  for last year’s ceremony was Colt McCoy. The list of “could-have-beens” that have departed includes Knowshon Moreno, Matthew Stafford, LeSean McCoy, Graham Harrell, Mark Sanchez, Michael Crabtree, Pat White, Jerry Maclin, and Percy Harvin.

Only the Texas gunslinger stands between history and continuity. Then again, does he?

If McCoy manages to hook the prized statue, we would still have a trio of Heisman winners for the postseason.

It shouldn’t be surprising that this scenario has presented itself. Tebow was the first sophomore to win the award, and Bradford became the second. Now they are both positioned to duplicate a former Buckeye.

The more college eligibility a player has remaining, the better the chance for a repeat.

Also, if scouts gave a better projection for Tebow in the NFL draft, his bags would have probably been packed long ago.

More than $30 million in guaranteed money would easily sway a young man already with two national championships and the most prestigious award in all of sports to jump to the Sunday fields.

Wouldn’t it?

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