Sports

Can Parkland Grad Andre Williams Win the Heisman?

Some pundits say his chances were hurt by poor showing on Saturday, but others point out he is still the country's leading rusher.

Is Parkland High School graduate Andre Williams still a top contender for the Heisman Trophy?

It all depends on what you read.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Campus Union blog, the Boston College running back’s Heisman stock fell on Saturday when he managed only 29 yards on nine carries against Syracuse.

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Of course, a big reason for that may be that Williams hurt his shoulder on the first play of the second half.

Just a week ago, fresh off of his third straight 250-plus-yard performance, SI touted Williams as “The Renaissance Heisman candidate.”

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The story profiled a young man who is more than just a bruising runner, but a philosopher and deep thinker who “reads poetry before running backs meetings, serves as a teaching assistant and has already written 80 pages of a book titled "A King, a Queen and a Conscience."

Following the disappointing performance against Syracuse, this entry from Bleacher Report knocks Williams completely out of the Heisman running in favor of Auburn’s Tre Mason.

True, Mason had an impressive performance Saturday against a stout Alabama run defense, but really?

As this other current Bleacher Report entry points out, Williams would still be the country’s leading rusher even if he didn’t play at all on Saturday.

“If a running back will sneak in and win the award, it will be Williams, who has rushed 329 times for 2,102 yards and 17 scores with a 6.4 per-carry average,” writes Bleacher Report’s Chris Roling.

It’s clear the fans at Boston College still believe. A section of the football team’s website is devoted to Williams’ Heisman candidacy.

The official Heisman Trophy finalists will be announced next Monday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. The trophy will be awarded on Saturday, Dec. 14.

Do you think Andre Williams should be a finalist or even win the Heisman Trophy? Tell us in the comments.


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