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November 18, 2016With just two weeks remaining in the college football regular season, the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes are making their claim to be one of four teams to make the College Football Playoff to conclude the season. Whether it’s their offense, defense, or special teams, the scarlet and gray have skill players all over the field. But there is one who sticks out, and one who should be considered in any and all Heisman Trophy discussions that, for some reason, isn’t. That player is H-back Curtis Samuel.
After being the third fiddle in 2015 behind guys like former Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott and wide receiver Michael Thomas—both now lighting it up in the NFL during their rookie seasons—Samuel has stole the spotlight in 2016. As the top playmaker on the offense, the junior has played everywhere on offense save for the offensive line. He has lined up in the backfield with quarterback J.T. Barrett as a running back, wildcat quarterback, and wide receiver, and no matter where he is lined up on the field, Samuel has been able to make plays—inside or outside runs, short passes, or using his speed to get passed the defensive backfield for a long touchdown. Few in college football possess his skill set to score no matter where they are lined up on the field.
In 10 games so far this season, No. 4 has been able to accumulate 80 carries for 637 yards (8.0 yards per rush) and seven touchdowns and 57 catches for 750 yards (13.2 yards per reception) and six touchdowns. While he has received only 13 touches per game this season after head coach Urban Meyer mentioned that he wanted his top playmaker to get at least 15 touches per game earlier in the season, Samuel is the only player in D-I college football with 600 yards both rushing and receiving. Imagine what those numbers could be if he did actually receive at least 15 touches per game, something that has only happened three times so far this season. While it’s hard to say “what if”, it’s fun to imagine, right?
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Since becoming the head coach of the Buckeyes in 2012, he has yet to have a player in New York as a top-3 candidate for the Heisman. While he has had a handful of players have a legit shot — Braxton Miller (2012), J.T. Barrett (2014), and Ezekiel Elliott (2015) — Samuel deserves that chance to be the first Buckeye to be invited under Meyer.
Prior to the start of the 2016 college football season, Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey was among the Heisman favorites not only because of his playmaking ability, but because of his versatility to lineup and make plays all over the field as well. Samuel has done just that but yet has still been left out of the discussion in many Heisman conversations. Why is that? If you just look at the box scores from Ohio State games, that could potentially be an excuse. But, if you have watched the Buckeyes play, you realize just how good Samuel is when he has the ball in his hands along with how versatile he is as well.
Heisman ballots are due on December 5, so No. 4 has just two (or three chances if the Buckeyes somehow make the Big Ten Championship game if Penn State loses either this week or next against Rutgers or Michigan State) to make his case. While he has already done enough to be in the hunt, he may just have to do a little more in the final two (or three) chances that he has prior to December 5. On November 26, he could make his biggest case in The Game. In a game that will likely feature two top-3 teams along with the fact that it’s the best rivalry in college football, there will be plenty of eyes glued to the television, Samuel can make quite a name for himself if he has a big game.
Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson is almost a lock to win college football’s most prolific award at season’s end, but that’s not the only thing that matters. Being in New York as part of the ceremony for being one of the three top finalists also means a lot for each player involved and is a memory that each player will remember for a lifetime. Samuel deserves to have that type of memory. If he finishes out the season playing like he has so far, No. 4 deserves to be in New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation. It’s as simple as that.
Heading into this week’s action, here is ESPN‘s Heisman race:
- QB Lamar Jackson, Louisville*
- RB Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State
- QB Jalen Hurts, Alabama
- WR Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma
- QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson
- RB D’Onta Foreman, Texas
- DL Jonathan Allen, Alabama
- LB Jabrill Peppers, Michigan
- QB Jake Browning, Washington
- QB Sam Darnold, USC
- QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma
- QB Luke Falk, Washington State
*Jackson’s Cardinals lost to the Houston Cougars Thursday night. Prior to the loss, the quarterback was a big-time favorite to win the Heisman, but the loss and how he played could potentially open the door for either contenders.
3 Comments
Lamar Jackson is the Heisman, everyone else is playing for 2nd.
And, as much as I love what Samuel has done 13 touches per game ends the conversation for him. He shouldn’t be in NY, but should be in the CFP.
As the old saying goes, the only one who can stop Samuel is Urban Meyer.
Jackson surely lost a few votes last night.
No doubt he lost some footing, but he was so entrenched it won’t matter. He’s been – by far – the best player in college football this season.