It’s not too often that a player from a school without a whole lot of Heisman tradition can make a real, legitimate run at the trophy.
Cal’s Jahvid Best has a chance to do just that in 2009.
The true sophomore finished with 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns this year while averaging a nation-best 8.1 yards per carry. Since Reggie Bush came along, there’s been a lot of talk about this or that guy being the ‘next’ Bush, but Best is, I think, the closest thing to it.
Mind you, the guy is faster than Bush and, while not as shifty, could end up being a more complete running back. He only had 194 carries this past season. If he had gotten 50 more carries, you might’ve seen him break the 2,000-yard barrier.
The one drawback with Best is that, like a Ferrari, he’s always in the shop. He has had a smattering of injuries that have slowed him down here and there. To his credit, he has the toughness to fight through it. But if he wants to compete for the Heisman next year, staying healthy is his most important task. I’d also like to see Cal make a concentrated early pitch on his behalf. The last Cal back to crack 2,000 yards didn’t sniff the Heisman. But Best is a different breed, the kind of guy who will produce highlight after highlight. And he’s got a great name, to boot.
Right now, he’s the No. 1 2009 running back candidate. By this time next year, he might be the ‘best’ overall player.
Hey thanks Heismanpundit for jumping on the Best bandwagon so early. Heismanpundit is indeed wise. You’re right that Cal should be pitching him for the trophy early and I’d love to see that. As one announcer said, “He’s a highlight reel waiting to happen.” By the way, Shane Vereen (his backup) is extremely talented as well. I think it would only help Jahvid if Cal started putting them both in the backfield at the same time. The opposing defense would have fits trying to figure out who to key on for any given play.
Anyway, thanks for the Best props. We here in the Bay Area have appreciated him quite a lot this year and would really love to see him get recognized for the great skill (and character) that he displays.
RJ
The last thing the Bears need is publicity. Touting Best for the Heisman is a sure fire recipe for a broken leg in the second game of the season. The Bears always do much better flying under the radar. Just look at this year, every time we got in the top 25, we’d lose! Maryland, Arizona, and Oregon State all knocked us out of the rankings after only a week. Last season we managed to start our free fall DURING a game. A couple big upsets in the top 5 paved the way for Cal to be ranked number one as long as we could beat Oregon State. Riley ran out the clock, Tedford slammed down his clipboard, and we lost six in a row.
Is he really that good or is this just HP being a Pac-10 Homer again?
Yes, he’s really that good. I think you should watch a few Pac-10 games before you accuse HP of being a Pac-10 Homer. Jahvid is absolutely electrifying… and hardly the prima donna that Desean Jackson was while he was at Cal.