The 2016 Heisman Trophy Finalists Are Announced
By: WCTV Eyewitness News / Associated PressDecember 6, 2016
NEW YORK (WCTV / AP) -- Despite a record-setting year at Florida State, running back Dalvin Cook will not be going to New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony Saturday evening.
Cook, who has rushed for over 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns, was not one of the five finalists named, leaving many FSU fans frustrated and feeling that Cook was snubbed from the award for a second straight year.
As a sophomore, Cook ran for 1,691 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2015. He finished seventh in Heisman voting last year and received 7 first place votes. Traditionally, only the top few finalists receive invites to the award ceremony.
Instead, this season boasts a pair of quarterbacks who will be representing the ACC. Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson is a Heisman Trophy finalist for the second consecutive season, joining Louisville"s Lamar Jackson.
Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers and Oklahoma teammates Baker Mayfield and Dede Westbrook were also named as finalists.
The finalists were announced Monday evening on ESPN.
Watson finished third in last year"s voting, won by Alabama running back Derrick Henry. Just like last year, he heads to New York not as the favorite but as the contender coming on strong at the end.
Despite a long lineage of heisman-winning running backs in college football, quarterbacks have been the favorite for the trophy as of late. Henry was just the third running back to win the award since the turn of the century, including Reggie Bush"s 2005 Heisman, which was ultimately vacated after allegations that he received improper benefits.
13 quarterbacks have won the award in that time, including FSU"s Chris Weinke and Jameis Winston.
Cook is a Doak Walker finalists, annually given to the nation"s best running back, along with Texas" D"Onta Foreman and San Diego State senior Donnel Pumphrey.
Source: http://www.wctv.tv/content/news/FSUs-Cook-not-among-Heisman-finalists-404958555.html
