Graham Harrell Vs. Danny Wuerffel: Who's More Heisman Worthy?

In 1996, Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel led his Gators to an 11-1 pre-Bowl Game record, with their only loss of the season coming to the No. 2 Florida State Seminoles.  Aided by the arm of Wuerffel, Florida had victories over three teams ranking in the top 15, including a key win over Peyton Manning and his No. 2-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. Five of the 12 teams Florida faced would go on to play in Bowl Games.  

In 2008, Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell led his Red Raiders to an 11-1 pre-Bowl Game record, with their only loss of the season coming to the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners.  Aided by the arm of Harrell, Texas Tech had victories over two teams ranking in the top ten, including a key win over Colt McCoy and his No. 1-ranked Texas Longhorns. Six of the 12 teams Texas Tech faced would go on to play in Bowl Games. 

Wuerffel was the gunslinger behind a very potent offense, racking up 3,625 yards in the air, along with 39 touchdowns to just 13 interceptions. Wuerffel’s numbers were gaudy, even for a quarterback in the pass-happy system of offensive mastermind and head coach Steve Spurrier.  Prior to their Bowl Game play, the Gators had already scored 507 total points.

Harrell was the gunslinger behind a very potent offense, racking up 4,747 yards in the air, along with 41 touchdowns to just seven interceptions.  Harrell’s numbers were gaudy, even for a quarterback in the pass-happy system of offensive mastermind and head coach Mike Leach. Prior to their Bowl Game play, the Red Raiders had already scored 535 total points.

Despite critics’ claims that Wuerffel was nothing more than the product of the system in which he played, his success behind center was ultimately rewarded with the coveted Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation’s top quarterback. 

Despite critics’ claims that Harrell was nothing more than the product of the system in which he played, his success behind center was ultimately rewarded with the coveted Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation’s top quarterback. 

Wuerffel’s main target, wide receiver Reidel Anthony, caught 18 passes for touchdowns, earning him recognition as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top wide receiver.

Harrell’s main target, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, caught 18 passes for touchdowns, earning him recognition as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the nation’s top wide receiver. 

Wuerffel’s excellent play was also helped by the outstanding play of his offensive line, headed by Outland Trophy finalists Donnie Young and Jeff Mitchell.  

Harrell’s excellent play was also helped by the outstanding play of his offensive line, headed by All-Big 12 First Team lineman Rylan Reed and All-Big 12 Honorable Mention lineman Louis Vasquez.

Wuerffel had as much success in the classroom as he had on the field.  His achievements as a student did not go unnoticed, as he was named a finalist for the Vincent DePaul Draddy Award, often referred to as the “Academic Heisman.” 

Harrell had as much success in the classroom as he had on the field.  His achievements as a student did not go unnoticed, as he was named a finalist for the Vincent DePaul Draddy Award, often referred to as the “Academic Heisman.”

As for the real Heisman, Wuerffel was named a finalist for college football’s most prestigious trophy and invited to New York City to participate in the announcement ceremony. 

As for the real Heisman, Harrell was not named a finalist for college football’s most prestigious trophy and not invited to New York City to participate in the announcement ceremony.

Epilogue: 

Danny Wuerffel was ultimately selected as the Heisman Trophy recipient. 

His Florida Gators went on to win the 1996 National Championship. 

Wuerffel was then drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round during the June NFL Draft, joining wide receivers Ike Hilliard and Reidel Anthony, both selected in the first round, and center Jeff Mitchell, who went in the fifth. 

In the subsequent two drafts, several players from the 1996 National Championship were drafted into the NFL, including RB Fred Taylor, OL Mo Collins, WR Jacquez Green, and linebackers Jevon Kearse (who would later convert to DE) and Mike Peterson.