Suh for Heisman (Seriously)
21 comments so far
October 9, 2009 by
12/8/09 Update: Ndamukong Suh is currently leading Heisman voting by a razor-thin margin. Follow our ongoing Heisman coverage here, here, and here.
After his dominating individual performance last night against Missouri, a whole lot of twitter feeds and facebook status updates started floating the idea of Ndamukong Suh for Heisman. What started with the Husker populace's love for a great player appears to be worth some fairly serious discussion in the light of day. The topic may get real traction outside of just "Husker Nation" but can it reach all the way to New York City and the Downtown Athletic Club?
The Facts
First, lets just be clear about the qualifications for Heisman. The ballot simply asks voters to name the country's most outstanding player. It's vague and not at all position-specific. While winning the Outland or Lombari award is more realistic for Suh, since those awards typically go to linemen, it's not unheard of for a defender to win the award. It's pretty hard to forget when Charles Woodson beat Peyton Manning in 1997. But, it is still rare.
Next, examine Suh's body of work thus far. He leads the nation's best scoring defense in tackles (32), tackles for loss (5.5), and sacks (3), and is tied for the lead in pass breakups (7). In two games against ranked opponents - Virginia Tech and Missouri - (both on the road), he looked absolutely dominant. He has disrupted offenses and dictated play. To see him play is nothing short of remarkable.
The Field
Now, lets handicap Suh's chances against the field. The marquee quarterbacks all have some sort of flaw or challenge to overcome. Sam Bradford, the incumbent, is hurt. Tim Tebow, another previous Heisman winner, has a concussion and may not play this week. Colt McCoy has thrown 5 interceptions so far this season. Jimmy Clausen? Please...
The nation's most talented wide out, Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State, was just ruled ineligable for the year. At running back, Cal's Javid Best was interesting for about a minute. And, the next best prominet back is probably Toby Gerhart who plays at Stanford. And if he walked in with a t-shirt that said "I'm Toby Gerhart", most folks still wouldn't recognize him. So, it's not like there is a clear cut favorite among offensive players.
The other intriquing defensive Heisman hopeful is Tennessee defensive back Eric Berry. He's the real deal, too. Knowing how tough it is for a defender to win the award, the Vols marketing staff has gone all out to promote Berry for Heisman. Which brings me to my next point. How will Suh - sans such a campaign - gain traction nationally?
Hey, Just Say the Name Right
For starters, he'll gain attention one tackle at a time, one game at a time. If Nebraska handles its business, he'll rise to even more prominence. Yes, he's already a well known quantity among college-football fans and NFL draft guru's. But, he needs to get in the nation's collective psyche. That's how Woodson won.
So how does he do that? Frankly...the media. Already today, college football writers like SI's Andy Staples and ESPN's Bruce Feldman are addressing the Suh topic. But, can Suh capture the average sports guy and not just the college football zealot? Maybe. He has a great back story, he has a presence and it is a blast to watch him play. The NFL scouts love him. And he also has a great name, as Husker fans know.
This morning while going over his draft prospects with Mike-and-Mike in the Morning, Mel Kiper Jr. said he thought Suh might be moving up to the top of his hypothetical draft board. At the end of the interview, Mike Greenburg, a national radio host and admitted pro-more-than-college football kind of guy asked Kiper how to correctly pronounce Suh's name. So, they want to get the name right. And, that's a start.
If this is your first visit to Big Red Network, welcome. If you like what you see consider signing up for our free weekly email newsletter.
Did you enjoy this article?
Get Husker news by email
Follow us on Twitter
Related Stories: Ndamukong Suh
Post a comment
Misha Oct 09 09
We can keep it simple when it comes to his name... how about just "Yes sir, Mr. Suh"?
kyle Oct 09 09
Im pretty sure the announcers didnt know how to say his first name so they called him mr. suh.
Greg Morrow Oct 09 09
I loved the look on his face, afer the unjust penalties. He just stared forward and took some slow, deep breaths.
I interpreted that to mean, "aw, it's ON now!"
He's got pro poise and focus. It sets a compelling example for the rest of the team.
A legacy building, type example.
You knew he was going to be good. You then hear he hurts his knee, which forces the redshirt. Or else, he'd have been gone by last year.
We've got him for 9 more games assuming the conference title game. He's a treasure now, at the status of all time Nebraska heros.
A reminder of back when, when a player like that moved on, only to join the mythic pantheon of Cornhusker greats.
Bill Kerr Oct 09 09
He is the best football player that I have seen this year.
bigredmonkey Oct 09 09
Make some noise. Vote for Suh!
http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/contests/theheismanvote/2009/
tim Oct 10 09
greg marrow suh never redshirted
Mike Wuerth Oct 10 09
If the Heisman's truly intended for the best player in college football, then Mr. Suh should be the frontrunner right now!
Austin Oct 10 09
Yes! Suh! Heisman! I like it! ESPN showed Suh on a list Heisman candidates during the La Tech-Nevada game. I think the idea is getting across.
Bob W Oct 10 09
There is no questioning the talent of Big Suh, but the thing I feel will hurt him the most is NU.
If our offense continues to live in a shell we could easily lose two to three more games. Should this happen, Suh could be the most dominant player ever to play defense and still not win the Heisman. Now if NU wins out........
JBling22 Oct 10 09
Chase Rome?? Will he be our next suh??? its unlikely but he is committed to the skers right now!!!!
Ian Oct 10 09
@tim - he got a medical redshirt his first year after a knee injury.
tim Oct 10 09
thanks for correcting me ian sorry about that greg marrow
Dwayne Oct 12 09
Run him in short yardage and goal line situations as a lead blocker like last season and I would put money on it that he'd win the award. It's not like NU doesn't need a little red zone help. He presents mismatches on both sides of the ball.
Dakota Husker Oct 14 09
I read an idiotic evaluation of Suh's draft status http://today.sportingnews.com/sportingnewstoday/20091014?sub_id=mUIw5of12FXp&folio=CGI#pg12
Grant Oct 14 09
Ndamakong is definitley the best defensive player this year in the nation and maybe for even a decade, he tes the game and he goes ever single snap, he never lets up, and that is why this guy is special. He should win the heisman if their werent such ove players like clauson for example. Ndamakong Suh is the most ting player in the NCAA this year....enough said.
Corey jerv Oct 14 09
There is definitely a SUH-nami coming.
GO BIG RED!
Corey jerv Oct 14 09
There is definitely a SUH-nami coming.
GO BIG RED!
Sara P Oct 31 09
Dakota Husker, by that description I don't think that guy's ever even seen Suh play....
Sara P Oct 31 09
Dakota Husker, by that description I don't think that guy's ever even seen Suh play....
Kathy Z. Dec 05 09
I had the pleasure of teaching this young man in an 8-hour traffic safety class.
I have yet to meet another young man who is as respectful. I had to beg him at a break to call me by my name,because he insisted on calling me "ma'am" He worked hard all day to pass the class with flying colors, despite having played an out of town game the previous day. and flying home very early
Clay Jan 15 10
You make it sound like suh is bad go suh