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The Heisman finalists were announced on Monday night, and TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin was not among them. Oregon's Marcus Mariota, Alabama's Amari Cooper and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon were the three finalists. They will travel to New York City for the award presentation, which takes place on December 13.
Boykin is arguably the most improved player in the country this season, as he led a new-look TCU offense to new heights. He not only eclipsed his 2013 numbers, but totally obliterated them. Here's a side by side of his 2014 stats, and his two prior seasons.
Passing |
2012/2013 |
2014 |
Completions-Attempts |
272-468 |
279-461 |
Completion % |
58.1% |
60.5% |
Passing Yards |
3,252 |
3,714 |
Touchdowns |
22 |
30 |
Interceptions |
17 |
7 |
Rushing |
|
|
Attempts |
232 |
142 |
Yards |
730 |
642 |
Yards/Carry |
3.1 |
4.5 |
Touchdowns |
10 |
8 |
Receiving |
|
|
Receptions |
26 |
1 |
Yards |
204 |
55 |
Touchdowns |
0 |
1 |
It's almost insane to think that before the season started we were all convinced that Matt Joeckel would be the starter for this football team. Needless to say, I'm pretty sure all the naysayers, myself included, have been completely silenced.
Mariota has 3,783 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and two interceptions, to go with 669 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. Gordon has 2,336 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns, while Cooper has 1,656 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.
Of course, the award is really Marcus Mariota's to lose, but it would have been nice for Boykin to get recognition for the incredible season he's had. However, with Mariota, Gordon and Cooper all probably leaving for the draft, Boykin should be a frontrunner for the award in 2015.