Heisman Trophy: Why Sammy Watkins Can Win the Heisman Next Year

Robert Griffin III just came off a sensational season as the most outstanding player in college football. Of course, he was rewarded with the Heisman Trophy, but what about next season?

Yes, it is never too early to talk about the far distant future when it is revolving around prestigious awards. Sammy Watkins is not going to rank among the top five favorites for the Heisman next season more than likely, but there is a good chance he hoist that 25-pound trophy in a year from now.

Watkins is coming off a sensational freshman season that included 77 receptions, 1,153 yards and 12 total touchdowns (1 KR TD).

The kid was doing things for a young puppy that we have rarely seen from a freshman. Most youngsters have trouble finding the field to begin with, but he found a way to shine as soon as the season started.

His six touchdowns in the first month of the season made him an early Heisman dark horse to win it as a frosh. It was amazing to see such a green player (term for youngster) come in an go bonkers against elite competition. 

He was able to bury the defending national champions in the Auburn Tigers for ten receptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns, but he then bounced back with seven receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Watkins never struggled until the injury bug hit a little bit towards the end of the season. Big Sammy will be a pre-season All-American on many publications next season, but the competition for the Heisman next season could very well be wide open!

Marcus Lattimore, Darron Thomas, Denard Robinson and Landry Jones (if he stays, Luck, Barkley and RGIII all likely gone) would likely be the favorites, but those players are far from the caliber of an Andrew Luck in most eyes.

Watkins will be the clear-cut top choice for receiver, but it really comes down to the Clemson Tigers success. Baylor came out of nowhere to go 9-3 this season thanks to RGIII, but Clemson is likely to be ranked in the pre-season top ten next year.

Therefore, Watkins better be able to go bonkers in his nationally televised games similar to Griffin III.

TCU, Oklahoma and Texas were three defenses RGIII absolutely torched and don't forget that ten of the past twelves Heisman winners were quarterbacks. Certainly the numbers do not stack up well for Watkins but he will have his chances.

The only problem will be that Tajh Boyd, his own quarterback, may take several votes away similar to Jason White and Adrian Peterson in 2004 or Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush.

It sounds a bit premature to compare Boyd and Watkins in that company, but that is what the expectatons and hype will be like next season. Also, will John Mackey winner Dwayne Allen return and would that help or hurt his Heisman chances?

Clearly he will need to play his best when everybody is watching against Florida State, who will be waiting in Tallahassee and Virginia Tech. The Hokies will look to avenge two beatdowns at Death Valley next season. The most important be the matchup in the Georgia Dome on Sept. 1 for Watkins.

The Auburn Tigers will certainly be ranked and it is your typical SEC-ACC matchup to see how much improved the boys from the ACC are compared to the men from the SEC.

At least that is still the perception, but America will move on and go going bonkers for the sophomore out of Fort Myers if he can once again will his team to a BCS National Championship.

Robert Griffin III did not play in a BCS National Championship or even a BCS bowl, but it is surely an advantage when your the signal caller.

Everything needs to go your way when you are a receiver because whether it is the offensive line, running game or even the weather, it is going to take a virtuoso season from Watkins to join elite company.

Only four wide receivers have ever won the Heisman (Johnny Rodgers, Tim Brown, Desmond Howard and Charles Woodson), but Watkins has proven after one season that he is all that and more.