Finalists Revealed for 2015 Walter Camp Player of the Year Award
Much like the Golden Globes often serve as a preview of who will be up for an Oscar, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award has a way of predicting Heisman Trophy finalists that same year.
In that regard, it might be time to congratulate some players on their impending invitations to New York City next week.
The Walter Camp Football Foundation made its announcement Wednesday for the award, which goes to the "outstanding player of the year who has exemplified the qualities of self-discipline, unselfish team play, desire to excel, mature judgement and respect for leadership."
Much like in 2014, this year's finalists include both offensive and defensive players. Two quarterbacks—the Oklahoma Sooners' Baker Mayfield and Clemson Tigers' Deshaun Watson—and two running backs—the Alabama Crimson Tide's Derrick Henry and Stanford Cardinal's Christian McCaffrey—are joined by Iowa's Desmond King, a defensive back who is tied for the national lead in interceptions with eight. His play has been a key to Iowa going 12-0 for the first time in school history.
The 2014 finalists included two quarterbacks—the TCU Horned Frogs' Trevone Boykin and Oregon Ducks' Marcus Mariota, who ending up winning the award—a running back—the Wisconsin Badgers' Melvin Gordon—a wide receiver—Alabama's Amari Cooper—and a linebacker—the Arizona Wildcats' Scooby Wright. Three of those players were Heisman finalists and all but Wright finished in the top four in Heisman voting in 2014.
Henry, who leads FBS with 1,797 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, is considered the Heisman favorite according to OddsShark.com. Watson, who has led Clemson to a 12-0 record and the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings, is second. McCaffrey, who is the third player in FBS history with 3,000 all-purpose yards in one season, is considered the third favorite.
Mayfield, in his first year at Oklahoma after transferring from Texas Tech, has been responsible for 42 TDs this season, helping the Sooners win the Big 12 with an 11-1 record.
The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award winner will be announced Dec. 10 during the 6 p.m. ET edition of ESPN's SportsCenter broadcast. Its last two winners—Mariota and Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston—went on to win the Heisman.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
