Is Booty really the Heisman Frontrunner?
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by user The Beast
The USC quarterback position has now become the glamour position in college football. Just like being the shortstop for the New York Yankees or the Point Guard for the Los Angeles Lakers, being the USC quarterback is the "hot thing" right now.
Current USC quarterback John David Booty is ready to benefit from that. While Booty is certainly a solid College Football quarterback, he is by no means the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy. Yahoo and Heisman Pundix are rating him at the top of their quarterback lists. Yes he had a solid year, 3,347 yeards and 29 touchdowns, while leading his team to the Rose Bowl, but Booty is certainly not one of the nation's top five players, yet. He is probably one of the top twenty players in the nation, but not top five, much less number one. Probably more like top ten. He could challenge for the Heisman Trophy, but I can't envision Booty up on the stage in New York accepting the trophy.
I am not trying to beat down Booty. I think he is a good quarterback. However, to be a Heisman Trophy finalist you must be one of the top three to five players in the country. As of right now, I don't think John David is one of College Football's top five players. He maybe when the season is over. However, Booty doesn't have the help of Norm Chow like Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart had.
What bothers me the most about Booty's sudden burst to the top of the preseason Heisman polls is the fact that people are pegging him the frontrunner because of the success of his team. Just because Booty will be the quarterback for a top five team, doesn't automatically make him a Heisman Frontrunner. Hesiman Pundix rates Booty at the top due to the fact that he is basically the quarterback for one of the nation's top team. What? I wouldn't complain if they put Booty as a Heisman contender saying that with a year of starting experience under his belt, Booty should continue to build upon his solid Rose Bowl performace. However, they sure aren't saying that.
The Heisman Trophy goes to the best College Football player, not the guy with the glamor position. Last year Justin Morneau was the A.L. MVP because he was the best player. He didn't hold a glamor position. The only reason Derek Jeter was considered was because he held a glamor position, shortstop for the Yankees. Change their positions and Jeter isn't even considered for A.L. MVP. Same goes with Booty right now. Switch him with Alex Brink at Washington State and you aren't hearing Heisman talk right now. Just because he holds a glamor position, doesn't automatically make him the Heisman Frontrunner.
Also published at http://socalsportsblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/f.html
