Cam Newton: If the Auburn Quarterback Is Suspended, Does He Deserve the Heisman?

Cam Newton has been an undeniable presence on and off the field this season for the Auburn Tigers.

The 6'6", 250-pound junior has been tearing it up for Auburn thus far, leading them to a perfect 10-0 record and the No. 2 spot in the current BCS standings.

In addition to Auburn's possible national championship appearance next January, Newton has thrown his name into the discussion for the Heisman Trophy, the award given to college football's best player each year.

Newton has already accumulated over 3,000 yards though the air and on the ground and has 35 total touchdowns, including 15 rushing touchdowns, with two games still left on Auburn's schedule.

Based on these staggering numbers and Auburn's current position in the national championship picture, one would have to consider Newton the front-runner for the award.

However, after recent accusations that Newton offered to sign a letter of intent to play for Mississippi State in exchange for a six-figure payment, the quarterback's status in the Heisman race has been severely threatened.

Regardless of whether Newton is guilty or not, the longer this story remains relevant, the shorter his Heisman hopes get.

Considering the Reggie Bush scandal two months ago is still fresh in everyone's minds, Heisman voters and fans around the country are going to formulate their own opinions, and the track record involving college athletes and money doesn't necessarily support Newton.

So the question becomes, if Newton is suspended due to these allegations, does he still deserve the Heisman?

Well, assuming Auburn is able to win its last two games this season—a home game against Georgia and an away matchup with struggling rival Alabama in the Iron Bowl—then Newton would have to be first amongst the list of names to be invited to New York.

His numbers are exceptional, and his team would very likely be playing for a national championship.

But if he were to be suspended before Auburn's season was to end, Newton would certainly have little to no chance of winning the Heisman.

Bush was stripped of his award for accepting cash while playing at USC, and even the thought of accepting money in today's NCAA is enough to make you disappear forever.

However, we must not forget that the Heisman Trophy is an award for on-field performance—not in the classroom, not in the community, but what one achieves on the football field.

Newton has been phenomenal on the field, but a suspension under the aforementioned circumstances would no doubt prove him undeserving in the eyes of Heisman voters.

Patrick Clarke is a student at Towson University and writing intern for Bleacher Report.