Preseason College Football- Heisman Trophy Contenders: #8- Jacquizz Rodgers
Continuing with our Top 10 contenders for the 2010 Heisman Trophy.
Heisman Trophy Candidate #8
Jacquizz Rodgers- RB, Oregon State
2009 Stats:
273 attempts, 1440 yds rushing, 5.3 ypc, 21 TD, 110.8 ypg
78 receptions, 522 yds, 1 TD
Career:
2693 rushing yards, 32 TD
Rodgers, a junior, should be on most preseason All-America and Heisman shortlists heading into the upcoming season. A two time 1st team All Pac-10 selection, Rodgers has made an impact from the moment he stepped on the playing field as a freshman. In 2008, he was the first freshman to be named the Pac-10 Offensive MVP, and holds the all time Pac-10 rushing record for freshmen.
Last season, Rodgers put up similarly stellar numbers. He rushed for over 1400 yards averaging 110+ yards per game. On top of those fine rushing numbers, he caught 78 passes for 522 yards. He was a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, while being named 1st team All Pac-10 for the second year in succession.
It would be a crime not to include Rodgers on any preseason awards list. He is easily one of the most versatile and dynamic players in college football today. On top of his elusiveness and speed, he is an excellent reciever out of the backfield. In fact, Rodgers doesn’t have any real weakness in his game. If I were to nitpick, I would have to say that the only thing he has going against him is his size. At 5′7 and 190 lbs., one could wonder how many hits he will be able to take… but his size has not slowed him down yet, and I suspect that it won’t be an issue this season either.