28 Heisman Trophy voters thought Kenny Pickett was worthy of winning the prestigious player of the year award.
And I was one of them.
After careful consideration, I cast my ballot for the Pitt quarterback. It wasn’t an easy call.
Crimson Tide sycophants and Southeastern conference zealots will likely get a hold of this and criticize my process. But they’re mostly nut jobs. And their guy won the award anyways.
Pickett did more with less. He put his team on his back more than any team in college football this season. That’s indisputable.
Alabama won the national championship last season. They were the preseason #1 ranked team in the country. They have the greatest head coach in college football history. Their offensive coordinator has won an NFL playoff game more recently than Mike Tomlin. Their offensive line coach BEAT Mike Tomlin in an NFL playoff game.
Alabama is stacked across the board. Look at the NFL draft rankings. They have the best offensive tackle in college football (Evan Neal). Two of the best wide receivers (Jameson Williams and John Metchie). Their running back will play on Sundays (Brian Robinson). The best group of linebackers in college football. I could keep going.
Compare that to the situation at Pitt.
Before this season, Pat Narduzzi had lost at least five games in every season. He’d never finished higher than 21st in the AP pool.
Pickett turned Pitt into ACC champions for the 1st time ever and ended a streak of 40 consecutive seasons with three losses or more.
He got Mark Whipple paid by Nebraska. He turned Jordan Addison into the best wide receiver in college football.
He invented a play and then the play was so good, that college football banned it one week later.
42 touchdowns to seven interceptions; those are pretty good numbers.
But the Heisman is more than just stats.
No player had a greater impact on college football this season.
That’s why I made Kenny Pickett, Kenny Heisman.
