Remembering Heisman Finalists as College Football Recruits

If there’s one common theme between the trio of finalists for the 2015 Heisman Trophy, it’s the fact that they had college coaches from across the country salivating over them when they were prep recruits.

Alabama running back Derrick Henry, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey and Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson were all Top-100 recruits with offers from more than 15 schools.

Henry was the nation’s No. 12 overall prospect in the 2013 class, while Watson [No. 41 overall] and McCaffrey [No. 91 overall] were two of the top skill talents in the 2014 class.

One of the lucky trio will join one of the most exclusive fraternities in sports, but what were they all like as high school recruits?

Let’s take a look at the paths that each of the 2015 Heisman Trophy finalists took to arrive on the national stage.

Credit: 247Sports

Derrick Henry

While McCaffrey is now known for his versatility and ability to affect the game in a myriad of ways, Henry was actually rated as the nation’s top athlete in the 2013 class.

With that type of size and athleticism, Henry was recruited by some programs at a number of positions—including linebacker or defensive end.

However, the 6’3”, 240-pounder out of Yulee [Florida] High School finished his prep career as the nation’s most prolific rusher ever at the high school level—totaling 12,124 yards and 153 touchdowns on the ground, as detailed by Steve Wiltfong of 247Sports.

As Wiltfong noted, Henry made an early pledge to Georgia before reopening his process just before his senior season. Only two other schools had a legit chance with Henry—Alabama and Florida.

Henry’s prep head coach, Bobby Ramsey, told Wiltfong that he notified the Gators staff that his star pupil was open to the idea of staying in-state and playing his college football in the Swamp.

However, then-head coach Will Muschamp and his staff had already taken a pledge from current starting running back Kelvin Taylor and were clearly indifferent on Henry’s ability to play offense at the college level.

That wasn’t the case with Tide head coach Nick Saban and his staff.

“[Alabama’s] recruiting style had a different appeal to a kid like Derrick, they’re not going to come in and chest bump you and promise you things,” Ramsey told Wiltfong. “Derrick is a low-key kid, he’s not looking for the nightlife experience, he’s not looking to be pampered, and I think everything they did with their program and how well running backs do there, the only school that could’ve beat them was maybe Florida.”

Henry rushed for 189 yards and a touchdown in last weekend’s win over the Gators in the SEC title game in a performance that helped clinch a trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony. 

After his decorated prep career, Henry is poised to etch his place in history on the college level if he takes home the coveted stiff-arm statue.

Credit: 247Sports

Christian McCaffrey

Considering the versatility Christian McCaffrey has displayed in his college career, it’s no surprise that he was a standout in basketball, football and track during his days at the high school level.

The son of former NFL receiver Ed McCaffrey, the younger McCaffrey enjoyed a stellar prep career coming out Valor Christian High School in Littleton, Colorado.

According to MaxPreps, McCaffrey accounted for 5,335 rushing yards and 87 touchdowns in his four years at Valor Christian. He also added 2,515 yards receiving and another 46 scores through the air.

The 6’0”, 194-pounder had offers from powers such as Florida State, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State among others.

The 2013 Gatorade Player of the Year in Colorado took visits to Alabama, Duke, Oregon, Stanford and Washington in the spring of 2013 before committing to the Cardinal.

In the end, McCaffrey chose to follow in his father’s footsteps by heading to Palo Alto.

"The combination of academics and athletics made Stanford a place I felt I could call home,” McCaffrey told Justin Hopkins of 247Sports.

While some observers may have questioned his skill level coming out of a state such as Colorado, McCaffrey proved himself worthy of being recognized as one of the top skill players in the 2014 class with a strong showing during the practices of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, as detailed by JC Shurburtt of 247Sports.

His performance has carried over to the college level, as McCaffrey set an NCAA record with 3,496 all-purpose yards this season, as noted by Thomas O’Toole of USA Today.

After flying under the radar nationally for most of the season, Stanford’s do-it-all sophomore star is now firmly entrenched as one of the most electric weapons in college football.

Credit: 247Sports

Deshaun Watson

Of the last 14 Heisman winners, 12 were quarterbacks, and Clemson star Deshaun Watson is the only hope for that trend to continue.

It must seem like ages ago for Clemson fans who were anxiously anticipating the arrival of Watson—who committed to the Tigers as a sophomore.

Watson became a household name in recruiting circles after a decorated career at Gainesville [Georgia] High School.

Over his four-year career, Watson threw for 13,077 yards and 155 touchdowns while adding another 4,057 yards and 59 scores on the ground, according to MaxPreps.

As Michael Carvell of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution detailed, the 6’3”, 200-pounder did take subsequent visits to schools such as Auburn, Florida, Florida State and Georgia.

However, he stuck with his original pledge after being hand-picked by then-Tigers offensive coordinator Chad Morris as the ideal trigger-man for his up-tempo attack.

“I just found a place there (with Clemson) and I’m comfortable with the coaches,” Watson told Carvell. “I like the academics and it’s close to home.”

Watson ended the 2014 cycle rated as the nation’s top-ranked dual-threat quarterback. 

After a freshman year filled with flashes of his immense potential, Watson fueled the Tigers’ unbeaten regular season and run to the College Football Playoff by accounting for 4,399 yards of total offense and 41 scores.

His rise to stardom validates the lofty expectations that superseded his arrival to Clemson just two years ago.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of 247Sports.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani