Heisman Trophy 2011: The Five Finalists Bring Ridiculous Resumes to NYC

After yet another spectacular college football season, the Heisman Trophy finalists were announced on Monday.

On ESPN, former Heisman winner Eddie George announced the five finalists.

They are: Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, Wisconsin running back Montee Ball and LSU defensive back Tyrann Mathieu.

Here's a breakdown of each finalist.

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

Andrew Luck is not only a premiere Heisman finalist, it would also be a shock if he isn't selected No. 1 overall in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Compared by some to Peyton Manning coming out of Tennessee, Luck excels in basically every area, with the accuracy, arm strength, decision making and pocket presence to be a force for years to come.

This season, the senior passed for 3,170 yards while completing 70 percent of his passes and tossing 35 touchdowns to nine interceptions.

In his final game of the regular season, he passed for 233 yards, four touchdowns and one interception against then No. 22 Notre Dame.

He has had a slightly worse season than last year, but he's still a top candidate who could come away with the award.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor

Wow, what can you say about Robert Griffin III other than, well, WOW.

The junior had a solid campaign last season, but this year he surprised everybody.

Griffin not only rushed for 644 yards and nine touchdowns, displaying his dual-threat ability, he also was dangerous from the pocket, passing for nearly 4,000 yards, 36 touchdowns and just six interceptions while completing 72 percent of his throws.

And he did it against top competition.

He started the season by upsetting TCU with 359 passing yards and five touchdowns. He continued against Kansas State with 346 passing yards, five touchdowns and one interception. And he may have just won himself the Heisman award after his performance against then No. 5 Oklahoma.

Against Oklahoma, Griffin passed for 479 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 72 yards. His sweet 34-yard spiral across the field with a defender in his face won the game for the Bears, 45-38, with eight seconds remaining.

Griffin is now generally considered a top prospect for the 2012 NFL Draft.

Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Trent Richardson is another leading candidate for the award.

Given full reins in the backfield this season with Mark Ingram gone, Richardson showed just how dominant he can be.

The junior rushed for 1,583 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging six yards per carry, while adding 327 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

To end the season, Richardson exploded in the historic Iron Bowl against Auburn, rushing for 203 yards and catching a touchdown pass.

Some believe that performance solidified him as the inevitable Heisman winner.

Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin

The only reason Montee Ball may miss out on the Heisman Trophy is because he didn't face the type of competition as the other Heisman candidates.

He faced three ranked teams: Nebraska, Penn State and Michigan State (twice).

Of course, when he did face his toughest opponents, he exploded.

Ball rushed for 151 yards and four touchdowns against Nebraska, ran for 156 yards and four touchdowns against Penn State and averaged 126 rushing yards in his two contests against Michigan State with six total touchdowns.

For the season, Ball rushed for 1,759 yards and 32 touchdowns while adding 255 yards and six touchdowns through the air.

His final performance against Michigan State helped Wisconsin capture the Big Ten title and advance to the Rose Bowl.

Tyrann Mathieu, DB, LSU

It's great to see LSU sophomore defensive back Tyrann Mathieu as a finalist. 

A defensive player hasn't won the Heisman Trophy since Charles Woodson did in 1997.

In my opinion, "The Honey Badger" absolutely deserved to be a finalist this season. He was the best defensive player in the country, adding 71 tackles, two interceptions, two punt returns for touchdowns, five forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks.

Without Mathieu, it's possible that No. 1 LSU would not have finished No. 1.

A lot of defensive players and former defensive players will be rooting for the spectacular sophomore.