Tennessee sophomore quarterback Tyler Bray is off to a hot start in 2011.
He went 17 of 24 for 293 yards and three touchdowns against Montana in week one, but it was his performance in the Volunteers’ 45-23 win over Cincinnati that has earned him the Heismanpundit Player of the Week honor for Week 2 of the 2011 season.
The 6-6, 210-pound Bray, who might have the quickest release in all of college football, threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns on 34 of 41 passing against the Bearcats. He is completing 79 percent of his passes and has yet throw an interception this year.
More importantly, he appears to have the Tennessee offense on the right track after several years of struggles.
While Bray is a few more games like this away from being a legit Heisman candidate, he is off to a great start.
Forget Bray. Rainey should get a serious look. Punt returns, kick-off returns, rushing, receiving, blocking punts, Rainey can do it all.
HP: If Rainey can lead the Gators past Bama in 2 weeks, or play excellent in a close loss, do you think he has a serious shot at the Heisman?
Bray is a good QB (although if the Gator secondary could hold on to the ball, that would be less clear), but without a running game, not to mention his best receiver, he will not be in consideration for SEC MVP, much less a trip to NYC for the Heisman ceremonies.
Rainey is a spectacular player, but he will not get the notice he’s due because his yardage is spread out between rushing, receiving, returns and defensive plays. He would be a higher candidate if all his yardage came from rushing (212 yds vs. Tennessee, 522 for the season).
All purpose yards get a player attention as well. Reread the Heismandments.
If UF can survive October with 1 loss or less and Rainey plays in those games like he has in the first 3 (and stays healthy) I think he’ll start to get attention from HP and other Heisman voters.