Heisman Trophy

 In a season with many standout players throughout college football, the Heisman electorate has officially narrowed the race down to six finalists for the 2013 Heisman this week. Former Florida QB and Heisman winner (1996) Danny Wuerffel announced the finalists for the 79th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy to be presented today Sat December 14th.  The finalists are Northern Illinois quarterback Jordan Lynch, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, Auburn running back Tre Mason, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, Boston College running back Andre Williams, and Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. The six finalists will be in attendance today  in New York City for the Heisman Trophy announcement on December 14, which will broadcast live on ESPN at 8:00PM EST.

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Lynch would be the first Northern Illinois Huskie and first MAC Conference player to win the Trophy. The senior led his team to a 12-1 season as quarterback with 2,676 passing yards and 23 passing touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,881 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging 6.9 yards per carry. Lynch completed 233 of 369 passes and was only intercepted 7 times all season. He set the FBS record for single-game rushing yards by a quarterback with 321 and became just the fifth quarterback to rush for at least 4,000 yards and pass for at least 5,000 yards in a career.

Williams would be the first Boston College Eagle to win the trophy in 29 years, since Doug Flutie's win in 1984. The senior running back rushed for 2,102 yards, scored 17 touchdowns, and averaged 6.4 yards per carry. He is the first Eagle to ever surpass the 2,000 yard rushing mark and set the school record for most yards rushed in a game with 339 yards against North Carolina State. Williams accounted for 51% of BC's offense this season and has the most rushing yards in all of Division I College Football for the 2013 season.

Winston would be only the second freshman to ever win the Heisman Trophy and the third Florida State Seminole, behind Charlie Ward ('93) and Chris Weinke ('00). The quarterback led his team to an undefeated season with 3,820 passing yards and 38 passing touchdowns. Upon surpassing Weinke's 33 touchdown passes, Winston set the new FSU single-season touchdown pass record at 38. Winston and the Seminoles will compete in the BCS National Championship Game in January.
The Heisman Memorial Trophy electorate, which determines the finalists and the winner, is comprised of 928 sports journalists and every living former Heisman winner. The public at large is granted one overall fan vote, thanks to Heisman's Premier Partner, Nissan North America. The electorate is tasked with selecting the outstanding college football player in the United States.
"The 2013 college football season has been one of the most exciting in years," said Rob Whalen, Executive Director of the Heisman Trophy Trust. "We are pleased to welcome these six talented men to New York and look forward to naming one as the newest Heisman Trophy Winner."

Manziel would be the second player ever to win the Heisman Trophy more than once, with Archie Griffin ('74,'75) as the only winner currently with this honor. The sophomore quarterback for Texas A&M passed for 3,732 yards and 33 touchdowns, surpassing his 3,706 passing yards and 26 touchdowns from the 2012 season. Manzielalso rushed for 686 yards and 8 touchdowns. He set the Aggies record for touchdown passes in a season with 33 and set another Aggie record of most passing yards in a game with 464 against Alabama.

Mason would be the fourth Auburn Tiger to win the Heisman Trophy and the second in just four years, after Cam Newton's win in 2010. The junior running back rushed for 1,621 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. Mason also received for 121 yards and returned 395 kickoff yards, scoring one touchdown during a kickoff return. Mason's all purpose yards this season, at 2,137, surpassed Bo Jackson's Auburn record set in 1985 of 1,859 and his rushing touchdowns broke Cam Newton's record he set in 2010 with 20 rushing touchdowns. Mason set two SEC Championship Game records with 304 rushing yards and 46 carries.

McCarron led the Alabama Crimson Tide to an 11-1 season as the senior quarterback. He passed for 2,676 yards and 26 touchdowns, completing 207 of 306 passes. He was only intercepted five times this season and holds the title of the winningest quarterback in Crimson Tide history. McCarron would become the second Heisman Winner from Alabama after Mark Ingram's win in 2009.

About the Heisman Trophy Trust: The Heisman Memorial Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football
player in the United States. Winners epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. The
Heisman Trophy Trust ensures the continuation and integrity of this award. The Trust, furthermore, has a charitable mission
to support amateur athletes and to provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. Our goal through these
charitable endeavors is for The Heisman Trophy to symbolize the fostering of a sense of community responsibility and
service to our youth, especially those disadvantaged or afflicted.