USC’s Adoree Jackson Should Be a Heisman Finalist
The Heisman Trophy is giving to the best player on the best team in the country. With this player the team does amazing things, without the team might not seek the same success.
Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson (Louisville), Deshaun Watson (Clemson), Baker Mayfield (Oklahoma), wide receiver Dede Westbrook (Oklahoma) and linebacker Jabrill Peppers were invited to New York this Saturday.
One name that was left off this list of five worthy players was USC Trojans defensive back Adoree Jackson. Despite the slow start to the season, Jackson has been productive for the Trojans on both the defensive end and the return game.
However despite Jackson’s effort, he is snubbed from being a Heisman finalist this weekend, and most of his teammates and current NFL players agree.
They robbed my man @AdoreeKnows SMH
— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) December 6, 2016
It's one thing about not giving @AdoreeKnows the Heisman, but you can't argue the fact that he should be one of the 5 invited to New York
— Zach Banner (@ZBNFL) December 6, 2016
I disagree with that..this year of college 🏈 is loaded with talent..2 guys stick out from the rest Jabrill peppers & Action Jackson https://t.co/wImgcfq6CU
— Dez Bryant (@DezBryant) December 6, 2016
Saw Adoree live vs. Bama & he was the BEST PLAYER on the field! Plus he put up #s all season! Peppers & Westbrook ballers tho! #HeismanSnub
— Willie Pile (@ill_will_35) December 6, 2016
Everyone has their own argument on each candidate on the list. Lamar Jackson has been the most exciting player in college football, but his team lost three games this season and his turnovers did not help their cause.
Watson is the best all-around quarterback in college football, but his numbers don’t wow critics similar to last season.
Westbrook and Mayfield compliment each other well and they are the best QB-WR duo in college football. Westbrook leads the Big 12 in receiving yards with 1465 yards and 16 touchdowns. His numbers are similar to Tim Brown back in 1987 when he won the Heisman.
The biggest argument is between Jackson and Peppers on who had the biggest impact on their team’s defense. Peppers plays on one of the best defensive outside of Alabama, while Jackson is the defensive star of the Trojans.
When you compare the two defensive players by numbers, Jackson has a slight edge over Peppers.
Jabrill Peppers named Heisman finalist with 4 TD, 1 INT, 72 tkls, 4 sacks.
— Shotgun Spratling (@ShotgunSpr) December 6, 2016
Adoree' Jackson with 5 TD, 4 INT, 51 tkls, 15 passes defensed.
Not only does Jackson compare to his competition, he also compares to a former Heisman winner.
Charles Woodson (Heisman year):
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) December 3, 2016
44 Tk, 9 PD, 8 Int
539 AP yards, 3 TD
Adoree' Jackson (2016):
51 Tk, 11 PD, 4 Int
1,074 AP yards, 5 TD pic.twitter.com/5UUXduhbM8
Not taking anything away from the other five finalist this weekend, they are all deserving of some sort of recognition for their season. But when you talk about the best players in college football, how can you forget about Action Jackson?
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The Heisman award winner will be annonced this Saturday. Meanwhile for Jackson, he can still win the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back at the College Football Awards.