Heisman Watch 2011: Making the Heisman Case for Tyrann Mathieu

The Heisman Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football, and one guy not getting enough love is Tyrann Mathieu of the LSU Tigers. 

He may be a defensive player, but he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Trent Richardson, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. 

Mathieu, also known as "Honey Badger" after the big YouTube hit, is a defensive force for the No. 1 LSU Tigers, and without his stellar play throughout the season, the Tigers wouldn't be were they are today. 

He is a beast on the field, and that is why he needs to be in contention for the nation's most coveted award. The best player on the best team in country has to get more looks in the Heisman rankings.  

The Tigers' top player fizzled out of the news for a few weeks in terms of his on the field play, but a 92-yard punt return in one of the biggest games of the year brought his name back into the spotlight. 

LSU needed a spark, and Mathieu gave it to them. His skills are out of this world good, and he needs to get more recognition. 

Don't take my word for it, as many others feel the same way. 

Maverick Carter believes Mathieu should not just be in the the running, but actually win it.

"Honey Badger" does what he wants, and he is too good not to be talked about more. He's a ball hawk on defense and a special teams nightmare for opponents.

Whenever he gets the ball in his hands, Mathieu is a serious threat to score, which frightened teams all season long.   

Even Mathieu's head coach, Les Miles, is giving him props for the most prestigious college football award. Per ESPN: 

"

I think that Tyrann is a very special player, and I think in the national award that might get viewed of him would have to understand how important he is to our team. So, that being said, he plays special teams, he plays defense and he just seems to make plays. I would think he could be in consideration for any national award, including the Heisman.

"

The only defensive player to ever win the Heisman Trophy was Charles Woodson in 1997. Mathieu is right on par with Woodson's numbers from back then, but the fact that "Honey Badger" doesn't play on offense hurts him a bit.

Another factor that hinders Mathieu in the Heisman race is the fact that he was suspended for a game because he tested positive for synthetic marijuana.

However, his numbers are still top notch, and there is no question he has been one of, if not the best players in college football this season. 

Comparing Mathieu to Woodson, you'll find that "Honey Badger" has more tackles, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries and touchdowns than the Michigan Wolverines' star athlete. 

Currently, Mathieu has 301 yards in punt returning, which is the same amount Woodson ended with in 1997. 

There's one game left for Mathieu to shine bright, and since it's for the SEC Championship, if "Honey Badger" dominates per usual, expect him to rise in the rankings and perhaps even make a trip to New York.