Is David Wilson Still a Legitimate Heisman Candidate?

Before the season started I asked the question, is David Wilson a legitimate Heisman contender? At the time, I (along with readers) said yes.

Can the same be said after seven weeks of play?

David Wilson started the season strong against Appalachian State rushing for 162 yards. He followed that with a 137 yard performance against East Carolina. He had his worst performance of the year in week 3 against Arkansas State. He only rushed for 85 yards on 20 attempts. He has run for at least 100 yards in every game since.

He currently has 903 rushing yards on the season. Those yards have come on 147 attempts. That’s an average of 6.1 yards per carry. He has been the most consistent offensive player for the Hokies, but that doesn’t mean he is one of the best players in the country.

He is a top-10 running back but he is not the best. If you aren’t the best player at your position then there is no chance you can win the Heisman, unless your team is a national title contender (and the Hokies aren’t).  

There are a couple of things that are holding Wilson back at the moment. Perhaps the largest force that is holding Wilson back is the coaching staff. Wilson is getting a good number of carries, but that total could be higher. Wilson will occasionally sit out full drives while his back up Josh Oglesby carries the ball. He can’t carry the ball every play but he could certainly carry the ball more than he is.

His yardage numbers don’t hurt Wilson, but his touchdown total does. To this point in the season he has only scored six times. He has failed to reach the end zone in three of the Hokies seven games this season. Before the season started Wilson wrote down a list of goals, on that list was to score 20 touchdowns this season. Unfortunately, this goal looks like it will go unfulfilled.

While Wilson has been a spectacular runner, he has failed to be a weapon for Logan Thomas in the passing game. He currently has 12 receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown. Wilson was a better weapon in the passing game last year but that hasn’t translated to success this season.

Wilson doesn’t appear to be in a position to make a run at the Heisman Trophy, but if he has a spectacular second half then anything could happen. Wilson is also currently in a fight for the ACC’s offensive player of the year award, with both Clemson QB Tahj Boyd and Miami running back Lamar Miller. Tahj Boyd has separated himself from the group so far this season.

David Wilson could finish the season with great statistics and team success, but without a single piece of hardware. He may just have to take solace in the fact that he was the ACC’s best running back in 2011. Of course there is always the chance that something crazy happens, that would place Wilson back in the discussion but it seems unlikely at this point. The good news is that if he returns next season then he will be firmly in the discussion for college football’s most prestigious individual performance award.