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The Heisman Trust on Monday unveiled its four finalists for the 2021 college football season. In the immortal words of Douglas Adams, “this had made a lot of people very angry and was widely viewed as a bad decision.”
Overall, college football fans had reason to voice their displeasure following Monday’s unveiling. The four finalists are Alabama quarterback Bryce Young; Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett; Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud; and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
MORE: Alabama ‘Underdog’ Bryce Young Destroy Georgia No.1 & Win SEC Championship
There is nothing wrong with the finalists themselves: they have all played exceptionally well this season. Young’s prowess helped the Crimson Tide win an SEC championship and a place in the college football playoffs; Hutchinson has had an outstanding defensive season for the Wolverines in the playoffs; Pickett’s season helped him pass Dan Marino for the most touchdowns in Pitt history; and Stroud had no problem cutting through opposing defenses (just ask Michigan State).
But college fans have always lamented what they thought were several rebuffs in the Heisman voting process, including Ole quarterback Miss Matt Corral, who has 20 passing touchdowns and 15 rushing scores; Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III, who ranks second nationally and first in the Power 5 with 1,646 rushing yards plus 18 rushing touchdowns; and Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr., who many consider the Crimson Tide’s top player and who leads the nation in both tackles for loss (32.5) and sacks (15.5).
Sadly, there’s only room for so many finalists – four in 2021 – and that must have left some deserving players out. That hasn’t stopped fans, pundits, members of the media and more from complaining about Monday’s announcement:
MORE: Pitt’s Kenny Pickett hits a false slip in TD race against Wake Forest in ACC title game; should it have been allowed?
Alabama fans are days away from their 4th Heisman winner and have found a way to be Heisman crazy. No one overcomes adversity like the tide.
– Matt Scalici (@MattScalici) December 7, 2021
No Matt Corral is among the Heisman Trophy contenders, but what a season the Ole Miss QB has had.
One of the best callers to ever wear an Ole Miss uniform. I would expect him to quite get the farewell from Ole Miss fans in New Orleans.
– Brad Logan (@BradLoganCOTE) December 6, 2021
Will Anderson is not a Heisman finalist.
Recall the thing.
– Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 6, 2021
Alabama’s Will Anderson: 92 tackles, 53 solo, 32.5 loss, 15.5 sacks. Total domination … but somehow it wasn’t even a Heisman finalist. We need to eliminate the defensive player bias. I am now launching the “Anderson for Heisman ’22” campaign.
– Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) December 6, 2021
Text from a SEC West staff member today after hearing about the Heisman finalists: “Matt Corral was the best QB we’ve played this year.” https://t.co/tvJyZnEt5i
– Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 7, 2021
Kenneth Walker III has had a fantastic season. It’s my choice to win the Doak Walker Award. And I think MSU fans are 100% right when they say the program’s brand plays a role in determining the Heisman Trophy finalists. My suggestion would be to get a better brand of program. God protects you.
– Scott Bell (@ sbell021) December 6, 2021
If you are a Heisman voter, you MUST look past the box scores and QB stat lines. It’s ridiculous that only one defensive player is a finalist this year of all years.
– Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) December 7, 2021
Will Anderson not being a Heisman finalist is a fucking joke. The guy who will likely end up winning would have been the best player of 129 other teams, but he was second on his own.
– Three-year-old Letterman (@ 3YearLetterman) December 6, 2021
Heisman runner-up Aidan Hutchinson (97) watches Kenneth Walker III run in one of 5 touchdowns he had against the Wolverines on October 30. pic.twitter.com/UKbEGejF6O
– Devin Anderson-Torrez (@TorrezDevin) December 7, 2021
The Heisman vote is what it is, and it’s almost never perfect. But I will always support the fact that no player matters more to his team than Matt Corral to Ole Miss.
– Michael Katz (@MichaelLKatz) December 6, 2021
