Thursday night was more than just Christmas Eve to some people. For quarterbacks Kyle Trask, Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones, and wide receiver DeVonta Smith, it was the night they were named Heisman finalists for the 2020 season. None of them have won the award before.
It’s going to be a much different race than the one last year, which saw LSU quarterback Joe Burrow win in record fashion. This year’s Heisman race is much closer, and you can definitely make a case for each one of these fine competitors.
They weren’t the only ones recognized on Thursday night. Najee Harris, Breece Hall, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Ian Book, and Kyle Pitts all received votes, though they weren’t named finalists. Either way, they each deserve recognition for a fantastic season thus far.
Kyle Trask – Florida Gators
Trask led the Florida Gators to an 8-3 record and is currently preparing his team for the Cotton Bowl Classic Wednesday against the Oklahoma Sooners. He hasn’t made a decision on his future, but it’s bright no matter what he chooses.
He finished the regular season with 4,125 yards, 43 touchdowns, and just five interceptions in 11 games. He had more yards and more touchdowns than the other two quarterbacks, showing just how explosive and important he is to the Gators offense.
Trevor Lawrence – Clemson Tigers
Lawrence didn’t have the stats that Trask had, but he had the record Trask wishes he had. He helped the Clemson Tigers to a 9-0 record with him at quarterback, though they finished with a 10-1 record as a team. They play Ohio State on Friday in the Sugar Bowl.
Lawrence finished the regular season with 2,753 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just four interceptions in nine games played. He also added 211 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, far more than Trask. He has a different element to his game than Trask, that’s for sure.
Mac Jones – Alabama Crimson Tide
Jones had his breakout year with Alabama with Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa out of the picture. He doesn’t have a running element to his game but is one of the best pocket passers in his class. He knows how to make his teammates better.
Jones finished the season with 3,739 yards, 32 touchdowns, and four interceptions in 11 games played. He had one rushing touchdown but finished with minus-nine yards this season.
He has Alabama at 11-0 heading into their Friday matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Rose Bowl.
DeVonta Smith – Alabama Crimson Tide
Smith spent the entire season catching passes from none other than Jones, the Heisman candidate we mentioned previously. He’s been the most trusted wide receiver in all of football and is making it all happen against some of the toughest competition.
Smith finished the regular season with 1,511 receiving yards off 98 catches and a whopping 17 touchdowns through the air. He added 11 yards on the ground and one rushing touchdown.
In 11 games played, he finished with six multi-touchdown games (including a four-touchdown game).
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