2016 Heisman Trophy: Case for and against each finalist

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Nov 3, 2016; Ames, IA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) celebrates his touchdown catch in front of Iowa State Cyclones band members at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

WR Dede Westbrook, Oklahoma

Dede Westbrook had 154 receiving yards and zero touchdowns through the first three games of the season. In the nine games after that, Westbrook had 100 yards receiving or a touchdown in every game, including a 232-yard performance with three touchdowns. He came on late as a candidate and yet he is finalist going to New York.

Case for

Westbrook put up ridiculous numbers this year. He had 74 receptions for 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns. He almost doubled his receiving yards from last year and quadrupled his number of touchdowns. Westbrook finished fifth in receiving yards and tied for fourth in touchdowns among receivers. What may be most impressive about Westbrook is that he averages just about 20 yards per reception. He can do all this and he is just six feet tall.

Case against

You have to go back to 1991 to find the last wide receiver to win the Heisman. That was Michigan’s Desmond Howard. In fact, only three wide receivers have ever won the Heisman trophy. It’s hard for a wide receiver to win the Heisman because their QB will get just as much credit. It just so happens that Westbrook’s QB Baker Mayfield is also a finalist this year. For as good of a season that Westbrook had, it is much more likely that Mayfield would win than Westbrook.

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