Michigan Football: Hunting for Wolverines next Heisman winner

Its been a long 2 decades plus since a Michigan football player was voted as the best player in college football. When will it happen again?

The question lingers as to whom is going to be the next student athlete to end that lofty streak. It was over a half of a century in between the first and second Heisman winners. After that a short six years passed and the honor was bestowed to a Wolverine again. So which current or future Michigan football players can set the mark and hoist the trophy representing the maize and blue someday down the road?

Looking at the current roster it is hard to single out one person who stands out above the rest. Nico Collins may be the best weapon on offense but wide receivers hardly ever earn a recognition like the Heisman (except Desmond Howard of course).

Collins would have to be a returner, as well as having nothing short of a 100-catch season along with double digit touchdowns to be included in the conversation. That is pretty far fetched for Michigan football’s offense nowadays.

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A running back can do it, but the backfield is crowded as is. Jim Harbaugh likes to use all of his backs at different times. The only way one of the present day carriers can accomplish such a feat is to endure a breakout campaign and become the go to guy at the position. That is becoming a scarcity with the way coaches use the running back by committee approach anymore.

At quarterback, whomever wins the job will have all eyes on them to critique their performances. Whether it is Joe Milton or Dylan McCaffrey, both get the spotlight to showcase their talents in the race respectively. Barring a remarkable record setting year for either or, it will be a struggle to beat out frontrunners like Justin Fields and the Trevor Lawrence’s of the world.

Defensively is a whole nother universe entirely, except for the once in a lifetime generational superstar Charles Woodson. For a primary defender to win the Heisman today, it would take a worldly effort much like Woodson did in 1997. Ambry Thomas could get used in similar ways to Woodson, but with all due respect, there’s only one Charles Woodson. That’s why college football spectators everywhere may never see another defensive player win the trophy ever again.

As for tomorrow’s crop of Michigan football sensations, J.J. McCarthy is making waves for himself across the pre college landscape. He’s a four/five star commit who already appears to possess the work ethic needed for the step up in competition. In the uncertainty that beckons ahead though, McCarthy just might be the next all timer to dawn the winged helmet to walk across the podium in New York as Michigan football’s fourth Heisman trophy winner.

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