Terrelle Pryor: 10 Reasons He's Not a Heisman Candidate in 2010
After an impressive showing at the Rose Bowl last season and great showing in the season opener against Marshall last week, you're probably thinking about getting on the Terrelle Pryor bandwagon, aren't you?
In fact, he probably won more fans after rushing for over 100 yards in a 36-24 win against Miami (Fla.).
But I'm here to tell you that there's still time, you can still jump off.
Here are 10 reasons Terrelle Pryor is not a Heisman candidate.
10. Inefficient Passer
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Throughout his career, the knock on Pryor has been his passing efficiency.
In 2009, Pryor only completed 56.6 percent of his passes for a 128.91 passer rating.
He started the 2010 season with a 17-for-25 performance that had many OSU fans giddy about his improvement and confidence.
But in Game 2 against the Miami Hurricanes, Pryor's passing numbers fell back to earth. He went 12-for-27 for 44.4 percent a completion rate.
Nothing's changed.
9. Poor Footwork
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His footwork was supposed to have been reworked during this offseason.
But Pryor still showed his tendency to scramble and throw on the run, even in his first game this season against Marshall.
Poor footwork leads to inefficient passing, which Pryor still needs to work out.
8. Passing Yards
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Last season, Pryor tallied 2,094 passing yards.
That total ranked him ninth among Big Ten starting quarterbacks. Michigan's Tate Forcier threw for 2,054 yards and played in one less game than Pryor.
Though he's a QB that is known for running with the ball, those numbers need to improve significantly.
Especially if he wants to receive serious Heisman consideration.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Inconsistent
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We all remember the Rose Bowl, where Pryor arguably had the best game of his college career.
He threw for a career-best 266 yards, converting 23-37 passes with 2 TDs and 1 INT. He also rushed for 72 yards on 20 carries.
Pryor in the two games before the Rose Bowl threw for 93 yards against Iowa, 67 yards against Michigan and had a total of 1 TD and 1 INT in both matches.
You can say that Pryor pulled a disappearing act against two Big Ten rivals.
If he wants a chance for the Heisman, he needs to find consistency.
6. Doesn't Make His Receivers Better
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Good quarterbacks are supposed to make their receivers better.
And what has done for his receivers? Not much.
His inability to pass efficiently has hurt his group of receivers.
Devin Posey, arguably his best receiver, was sixth in the Big Ten last season with 828 yards on 60 catches.
The next receiver that made any kind of noise was Dane Sanzenbacher, who caught only 35 passes for 570 yards.
5. Team Passing Offense Is Not Impressive
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With Pryor's inconsistency and struggles with his passing, the Buckeyes entire passing game were ranked near the bottom of the Big Ten last year.
That flaw in their passing game cannot be ignored this year if Pryor is to be considered a Heisman contender.
Pryor needs to lead this team as a passer and not just as a runner. After all, he's the quarterback.
4. Rushing Numbers Are Misleading
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Everyone throws a lot of credit to Pryor's rushing numbers.
Though his passing ability is questionable, it's hard to argue against his ability to run with the ball.
Until you consider his opponents.
He rushed for over 100 yards last season against Toledo and Minnesota, two subpar opponents. Against top-ranked teams USC, Wisconsin and Iowa, Pryor rushed for 36 yards or less in those three games.
Pryor broke 100 yards rushing against Miami (Fla.) this weekend but 33 of those yards came with OSU trying to run down the clock in the fourth quarter.
3. Other Heisman Candidate In The Big Ten
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Out of the Big Ten, plenty already consider Pryor to be the biggest Heisman contender out of the Pac-10.
But let's not forget, Wisconsin big, bruising running back John Clay is just as noteworthy a candidate.
He rushed for 123 yards on 17 carries and TD against UNLV and followed that up with a 137 rushing yards on 23 carries and another 2 TD against San Jose State.
2. Not The Best Player in College Football
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At 6'6" and 233 pounds, Pryor is an amazing athlete.
Does that mean he's the best player in college football?
No. He has yet to prove that he can pass with consistency so he can actually be considered a two-way threat.
Thus far, teams are content with letting Pryor figure out his passing game and try to contain his running ability.
1. He's No Vince Young
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In 2005, Young led the Texas Longhorns to the BCS National Championship.
His numbers were outstanding, 212-for-325 passing for 3,036 yards, 26 TDs and 10 INTs. He also rushed for 1,050 yards with a 6.8 AVG and 12 TDs.
That year, Young came in second in the Heisman voting to Reggie Bush.
Are Pryor's numbers going to match Vince Young's?
He has the potential to put up those numbers but chances are he won't even come close.
Numbers like those set you apart from the rest of the players in college football. And that's the benchmark Pryor needs to match in order for him to be a serious Heisman contender.
Otherwise, he'll just be overhyped.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
