The Heisman Trophy finalist were announced on December 7th with a shocker…a defensive player from Nebraska was invited to the party.  His name is Ndamuko Suh and he is the first defensive player invited to the Downtown Athletic Club since 1997 when Charles Woodson won the award, albeit more for his playing multiple positions than just his defensive prowess.

The fact that a defensive player has yet to win the award for his position performance diminishes what the Heisman Trophy stands for.  The award is handed out annually to the  most outstanding collegiate football player.  So why has only one defensive player ever been recognized and only recognized for what he did when not playing defense?  Does it suggests that no defensive player can ever win this award and be acknowledged.

To take nothing away from Charles Woodson, the guy didn’t win it specifically just for his defensive play.  Woodson returned kicks and also played wide receiver on that great Michigan squad.  He won the award, fittingly, for being the best athlete, not specifically his play at cornerback.  If Woodson had not been so versatile it is unlikely he wins the award.

That’s brings us back to Suh.  Can he become the first Heisman winner selected because of his body of work just on defense.  Hugh Green came the closest with his second place finish in 1980.  Steve Emtman came close in 1991, but ended up fourth in the voting in what many describe as the greatest single season by a defensive player in the history of the game.  Emtman’s 1991 season earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.

If we agree that Emtman’s 1991 season is the standard, then lets get the votes in now for Suh.  During that undefeated national championship season run, Emtman tallied 60 tackles, 19.5 tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks.  Additionally, his team held opponents to 9.6 points per game.  Emtman was the star and his performance on the field merited him the #1 pick in the 1992 NFL Draft.

In comparison, here is how Suh stacks up playing the same exact position.  82 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, 24 quartback hurries, 10 passes defended, 3 blocked kicks, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception.  Additionally, the Nebraska defense allowed just 11.2 points per game and opposing offenses averaged just 2.8 yards per carry.  In almost every category, Suh outperforms Emtman except in points per game because Washington had a better supporting cast.  One more thing, he still has one more game to play!

More importantly is how Suh performed in the “big game” against Texas in the Big 12 Championship.  He recorded 10 solo tackles, 12 total tackles and 4.5 sacks.  It was a truly dominating performance on national stage. During one play, Suh grabbed McCoy for a sack and threw him about 6 yards from where he was standing.  Catch the video included here to see that play.

All said, if the Heisman voters are not going to award Suh for what can be hailed as one of the truly greatest collegiate seasons by a defensive player in the history of the sport, we will never see a defensive player awarded the Heisman Trophy specifically on the merits of his defensive play.