The fastest players in college football, 2013

By on June 14, 2013 in General CFB

whitfield

It’s time for Heismanpundit’s annual Fastest Players in College Football List.

There are few subjects in sports more debated — and more misunderstood — than speed. While almost every major sport puts a premium on it, they seem to be unable to settle on a standard by which to accurately measure it.

Football programs at all levels and the media that cover them rely mostly on the 40-yard dash to quantify who is, and who is not, fast. In and of itself, there’s nothing wrong with the idea that speed over 40 yards is a valuable asset. The problem is that it is not measured with any semblance of accuracy.

You know the old saying: “To err is human?” That definitely applies to the timing of the 40-yard dash. Almost every 40-yard dash time you’ve heard attributed to a player was timed by hand, meaning a human digit had a significant influence on its outcome. Even so-called electronically-timed 40-yard dashes require a human to start the clock once the runner begins the race on his own accord.

Studies have shown that such hand-based methods are prone to error and wipe away, on average, at least .24 seconds off the real time of a race. So that “official” 4.35 you think your favorite player ran at the combine? Yeah, it was probably more like a 4.69.

What’s more, 40-yard dashes are run under widely disparate conditions. For instance, wind gauges are not used. Some 40s are run on a track, others on grass and still others on artificial turf. Some runners use spikes, while others run in sneakers. This extra bit of unrecorded variation adds even more unreliability to 40 times. Nonetheless, this is rarely taken into account when 40 times are discussed.

Luckily, we have an accurate standard by which to measure speed. It’s called Fully Automatic Time, or FAT. This electronic timing method has been required in track for record purposes since 1977. No track time is officially counted as a record — whether on a personal or world level — that is not recorded with FAT. Furthermore, the governing bodies of track and field require wind readings and standardized running surfaces at sanctioned track events. The goal is to create uniform conditions so that times all over the world can be compared and contrasted with confidence.

So why doesn’t football use FAT for the 40-yard dash? As Rob Rang reported last year, the NFL tried it at the 2012 scouting combine. But the results were kept secret and the FAT timing was dumped in 2013 in favor of a combination of hand and electronic times. Clearly, marketing and hype takes precedent over accuracy at the NFL combine. No one wants to rave about a running back who just ran a 4.7, right?

Forget the NFL. We still have the ability to reliably quantify the fastest players in college football because scores of football players also ran track in high school and continue to do so in college, giving us quality data with which we can rank their speed.

And so we get to the 2013 edition of college football’s fastest players, which we first started back in 2005. To make this list, I weighed a variety of track marks, including the indoor 55 and 60-meter dashes, the outdoor 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes, the 110-meter and 400-meter hurdles and the long jump (for those wondering, it usually requires a good bit of foot speed — or turnover, as it’s called — to jump a certain distance). I also take into account when the races were run, whether a player has been injured and how often they competed. Wind-legal marks took precedent over windy ones and such factors as times run in cold-weather states were considered. When push came to shove, the 100 meters served as the most leaned-upon standard. The sources for these marks were TrackandField News.com, Dyestat.com and the US Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, which puts out its own annual list of top football/track participants.

So this is really a list of the players in college football who are quantifiably the fastest. Could there be players not on this list who are faster in reality? Sure, but without valid track marks you won’t be able to make that case, save with anecdotal evidence.

Before we get to the players, keep in mind that this list does not measure football ability, but merely one vital facet of athleticism. It’s no different than measuring height or wingspan on a basketball player. The players who make this list are really, really fast — the cream of the crop in this category — but that doesn’t mean players who didn’t aren’t fast, too.

Finally, let’s dispense with the notion that there is ‘football’ speed and ‘track’ speed. The ability to start and stop and change direction are attributes unto themselves and not elements of being fast. Nor is the unique ability to maintain one’s speed in full football regalia. Face it, what most people see as speed on the track not translating to football is really just a matter of a player not being very good.

On to the 2013 list which, as usual, is filled with fresh legged freshmen:

1. Levonte Whitfield, WR, Freshman, Florida State – 6.32 (55m), 6.64 (60m), 10.28 (100m), 20.96 (200m)

This year’s fastest man in college football is the cousin of former Noles wide receiverMarvin Bracy, who took last year’s speed crown. His 10.28 100-meter personal best was second nationally in the prep ranks this year while his 6.64 60 was third. The four-star recruit says he probably won’t run track at FSU.

2. Thurgood Dennis, CB, Junior, Wisconsin Eau-Claire — 6.52 (55m) 6.76 (60m), 10.30 (100m), 20.86 (200m), 47.10 (400m)

The Allouez, Wisc., native had 58 tackles and three pass breakups last year while playing cornerback for Division III Wisconsin Eau-Claire. He’s the fastest returning football player from 2012 and, at 6-foot-0, 175-pounds, he has the kind of speed/size combination that usually gets looks from the NFL. .

3. Khalfani Muhammad, RB, Freshman, California – 6.86 (60m), 10.33 (100m), 20.74 (200m)

The California state 100- and 200-meter champion is a three-star all-purpose backcoming out of Notre Dame High in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He’s headed to Berkeley to play football and run track. Though diminutive at 5-foot-8, he did rush for 1,420 yards and 18 touchdowns his senior season.

4. Jeryl Brazil, CB, Freshman, LSU — 6.22 (55m), 6.70 (60m), 10.36 (100m)

The four-star athlete out of Loranger, La., will play cornerback for LSU. He ran just one 100-meter race as a senior, which means makes his 10.36 run as a junior all the more impressive. There’s certainly a chance that, given his trajectory, he’d prove to be as fast as anyone on this list if he had run more races his senior season.

5. Kyle Fulks, CB/WR, Freshman, Baylor – 6.84 (60m), 10.38 (100m), 20.86 (200m)

The three-star recruit out of Katy (Texas) High will suit up for Baylor this fall. He ran his best 100 meter race as a junior, which points to a lot of untapped speed potential. Although most think he’ll be a cornerback, he might be the kind of guy Art Briles wants to get into space with the ball in his hands.

6. Dallas Burroughs, WR, Junior, Boise State – 10.34 (100m), 21.06 (200m)

I put Burroughs behind Fulks and Brazil despite his slightly-faster 100-meter time simply because it’s been three years since he ran that fast and the physical nature of football tends to wear players down a bit. Also, they ran their fastest times as high school juniors. Nonetheless, Burroughs is about as fast as they come. He caught four passes for 100 yards for the Broncos last season and also added 61 yards on two kick returns.

7. Sheroid Evans, CB, Junior, Texas – 10.39 (100m), 20.82 (200m), 50.55 (400m IH)

Evans has emerged as a potential starter at cornerback for the Longhorns thanks to his blistering speed. He also showed his versatility on the track by running 50.55 in the 400 hurdles as a senior in high school. The 6-foot-0, 185-pound Evans had five tackles for the Longhorns in 2012. With his size and speed, he should emerge as an NFL prospect once his production catches up a bit to his physical talents.

8. Miles Shuler, WR, Junior, Rutgers – 6.34 (55m), 6.85 (60m), 10.39 (100m), 21.31 (200m)

Shuler caught five passes for 71 yards and had one carry for 25 yards for the Scarlet Knights in 2012, but the lightning-quick junior could get more opportunities this fall.

9. Ronald Darby, DB, Sophomore, Florida State – 6.28 (55m), 6.77 (60m), 10.41 (100m), 21.05 (200m)

The second Seminole on this list was also the ACC’s Defensive Rookie of the Year last season. He had 18 tackles, broke up eight passes and forced a fumble while playing in all 14 games. His track marks are even more impressive because they were run mostly as a junior in high school.

10. Damiere Byrd, WR, Junior, South Carolina – 6.24 (55m), 6.66 (60m), 10.41 (100m), 21.21 (200m)

Byrd emerged as a bit of a playmaker for the Gamecocks in 2012, catching 14 passes for 366 yards (26.14 per catch) and three touchdowns. He’s run a bit of track in college, too, and his 6.66 in the 60 meters shows he’s got one of the best bursts around.

Just missed the cut …

De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Junior, Oregon – 10.31w (100m), 21.17 (200m)

His often-cited 100 mark was barely wind-aided, so his best legal mark of 10.57 holds him back a bit on this list.

Reggie Davis, WR, Freshman, Georgia – 10.43 (100m), 21.23 (200m)

Davis will inject some much-needed speed into the Bulldogs receiving corps.

Devon Allen, WR, Freshman, Oregon — 10.49 (100m) 20.98 (200m), 13.48 (110m HH)

The trackster from Arizona competes at a high level in several events and he’s also a four-star receiver.

Thomas Tyner, RB, Freshman, Oregon — 10.43 (100m), 21.41 (200m)

The nation’s top running back recruit ran his marks as a sophomore.

Artie Burns, DB, Freshman, Miami — 13.35 (110m HH)

For comparison’s sake, Robert Griffin III ran a 13.46 as a senior in high school.

Dior Mathis, CB, Junior, Oregon — 10.49 (100m)

Mathis is the fourth Duck on this list, which means Oregon might have the fastest team in college football.

George Atkinson, RB, Junior, Notre Dame — 10.36w (100m)

His 100 mark was wind-aided, but to run that fast at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds is pretty impressive.

Robbie Rhodes, WR, Freshman, Baylor — 21.06 (200m)

The soon-to-be freshman phenom ran his 21.06 as a junior … against the wind.

Did I miss anyone? Probably. So feel free to make your case for another player who deserves to be on this list. Remember: Verified track marks only, please.

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Get ready to rock ‘n roll

By on June 10, 2013 in General CFB

The 2013 season is getting so close, I can almost smell it.

Okay, so maybe the season itself isn’t close. But the preseason is getting close.

Coming up this week and next, I’m going to start to delve into all the teams, players and coaches for the coming year.

It’ll all begin with the always entertaining, never non-controversial Fastest Players in College Football for 2013 list.

In the meantime, be sure to check various online sports betting sites to get yourself ready. I don’t have a best sportsbook list, but this isn’t a bad place to start, either.

 

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Louisville should promote Teddy Bridgewater for the Heisman (whether he likes it or not)

By on May 23, 2013 in Heisman Watch 2013

Teddy+Bridgewater+Kentucky+v+Louisville+ZZ-BJRHv5cMl

Louisville quarterback Teddy Bridgewater drew attention recently for announcing that he wishes to bypass a Heisman campaign this fall in favor of focusing on team goals.

“The Heisman isn’t a goal of mine,” he told Eric Crawford of WDRB in Louisville. “A team effort, a national championship, a BCS game, those are our goals.”

Cardinals coach Charlie Strong backed up his star.

“We’re going to let Teddy go and play,” Strong told WDRB. “Teddy doesn’t want to let people down, and he doesn’t want all of the attention. He wants to win first and foremost.”

It’s an admirable and well-intentioned move by the rising junior, who led his team to an 11-2 record and a Sugar Bowl win over Florida last season. But is it the right move?

Nope.

In fact, Louisville should politely ignore Bridgewater’s request and promote him anyway.

But before getting to the specifics of why, it’s important to address the subject of campaigns in the first place.

A rather odd mentality has taken shape over the years regarding the idea of marketing in college football. Coaches who lobby for their teams to be ranked highly in the polls are considered out of bounds or acting in poor taste. Schools that push their players for postseason honors are seen as tacky and uncouth. Heisman campaigns in particular draw the ire of media and sports information directors alike, with both sides usually poo-pooing the notion they have any effect on the award’s outcome.

But there are two reasons companies, politicians and other public entities spend billions of dollars every year on marketing and public relations campaigns.

1. They work.

2. It’s in their best interest.

So why should it be any different for college football? After all, this is a sport where media and coaches, via the polls, help determine the outcome of the season. All-American teams are really popularity contests (remember when Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher, the first pick in the recent NFL draft, was named a consensus first-team All-American? Yeah, me neither). The Heisman is voted upon by 926 voters who are given no set criteria to fill their ballots other than to select the player they deem to be the “most outstanding.”

In what world is it considered smart to not chime in when others are left to decide your fate, especially when millions of dollars are at stake? Only in college football’s world, apparently. Would a toothpaste company not let people know why its product is superior? Would a politician not tell voters of her qualifications for office, or explain why she is better than her opponent?

Of course not.

Because there is so much subjectivity in college football, the teams and players with the established brands have a distinct advantage. Schools like Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, USC and Alabama (among others) spent decades building their programs, often before limits were put in place to establish parity.

They are now the Coke, General Motors and AT&Ts of the sport. People who follow college football equate these names with sustained success and excellence. As a result, they generally get the benefit of the doubt over lesser schools when it comes time to rankings, awards and honors.

That’s why a school like Louisville must strike now, while it still has a Bridgewater to brag about. Having a player of his caliber on the roster gives the Cardinals a unique shot at building its brand.

Winning a Heisman can go a long way toward doing that. Just ask Boston College or Baylor.

Oh, that doesn’t mean the school has to send out bobbleheads or some other gimmick in support of its star. It merely has to follow the successful examples of previous campaigns that found some kind of compelling hook or narrative to capture voters’ imaginations.

Think of Texas sports information director Jones Ramsey’s invention of “yards after contact” to illustrate the power of running back Earl Campbell in 1977. Or how Charles Woodson was promoted as a throwback to the one-platoon era when he won in 1997.

It’s not cheesy or improper to note these things. If done right, it can be informative and insightful.

Sometimes a bold step or two should be taken if the opportunity presents itself.

Oregon was ridiculed in many circles back in 2001 for putting up a giant billboard of quarterback Joey Harrington in New York’s Times Square that read “Joey Heisman.” Was it overboard? Maybe a little.

But the advent of the juggernaut that is the current Oregon program can be traced to that bold decision. It sent a clear signal that the Ducks were going “all-in” to become a power. And that’s what happened, even if Harrington didn’t win the Heisman.

Of course, Heisman campaigns aren’t always necessary.

Johnny Manziel didn’t have one last year and didn’t even speak to the media until the very end of the season. But he also had 5,116 yards of total offense and 47 combined touchdowns rushing and passing — numbers that were a campaign unto themselves.

Bridgewater isn’t going to have 5,000 yards of offense. The Louisville scheme doesn’t work that way. If all goes right, he’ll have a highly-efficient, very productive year that probably won’t touch the outlandish numbers being put up by this era’s spread quarterbacks.

So he’ll need some sort of campaign to let people know that, despite his decidedly ungarish stats, he’s still the best quarterback in the country. It’s a tough argument to make, which is one reason Andrew Luck didn’t win the Heisman. Having the ability to expertly check off to a run play doesn’t thrill voters.

Without a smart campaign, the brilliance that is Bridgewater could be overshadowed by next season’s next big thing.

What about the team?

What about Bridgewater’s unselfish desire to keep the focus there, where it belongs?

These are nice sentiments for May. It shows Bridgewater’s great attitude. There’s no downside to him having this mentality.

But don’t believe for a second he doesn’t want to win the Heisman.

Louisville shouldn’t believe him either. Nor should it care. For his own good, for its own good, it eventually needs to let everyone know why he’s so special.

Or, it can just hold off until the next Teddy Bridgewater comes along.

It might be a long wait.

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Is Blake Bell the top Heisman dark horse for 2013?

By on May 1, 2013 in Heisman Watch 2013

bell

Quarterback. Check.

Traditional power. Check.

Junior with some name recognition (and a cool moniker to boot). Check.

Excellent physical measurables that have yet to be fully realized. Check.

If you are looking for a Heisman dark horse for 2013, Oklahoma quarterback Blake Bell might be your best bet.

There are usually two types of Heisman candidates. The first type has already established himself as a legitimate player and is merely building upon an already-impressive resume. The other type bursts onto the scene with a huge year and becomes an instant candidate.

Here’s why I think Bell has a chance to be the latter.

We already know about his running ability. The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Bell has 24 rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons working primarily as a goal line specialist.

If he takes full-time snaps, those numbers should increase as a junior.

But his biggest improvement should come as a passer.

Bell has thrown a grand total of 20 passes in his career. So what can we expect of Bell in Oklahoma’s offense?

Well, if the recent past is any indication, we should expect some big things.

In the last six seasons, Oklahoma quarterbacks have averaged 501 pass attempts per year. That includes a low of 341 attempts by Sam Bradford in 2007 and a high of 617 attempts by Landry Jones in 2010.

OU quarterbacks during this time also averaged 8.2 yards per pass attempt, with a high of 9.8 by Bradford in 2008 and a low of 7.1 by Jones in 2009.

Finally, Jones and Bradford averaged a completion percentage of 65 percent, with the high being Bradford’s 69.5 in 2007 and the low Jones’s 58.1 in 2009.

So, the questions before us when trying to determine what kind of passing year Bell will have are: (1) How many passes will he attempt? (2) What will be his yards per attempt? and (3) What will be his completion percentage?

Let’s assume that, because of more mobility at quarterback and the increased emphasis on the run in the OU scheme, Bell averages just 30 pass attempts per game. That would bring his season total to roughly 400 attempts.

Let’s also assume that Bell hits on a solid, but not spectacular, 7.5 yards per attempt.

Finally, let’s say he completes 60 percent of his passes and 10 percent of those completions go for touchdowns.

That would result in a season that looks like this: 3,000 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. If Bell as a full-timer player rushes for 500 yards (which is completely realistic) and another 15 scores, we are looking at a player with 40 combined touchdowns.

As we know from looking at recent Heisman history, a quarterback becomes a legit candidate at about 45 total touchdowns. If Bell overachieves in his first year as a starter — say he attempts 450 passes and completes 66 percent of them at an 8-yard per attempt clip — then he’ll have 3,600 passing yards with 30 touchdown tosses. Add to that his likely production on the ground and we are looking at a quarterback from a traditional power with around 45 total touchdowns.

If that kind of year happens, he’ll be a lock to go to New York.

Will it happen? That is the question. Perhaps Bell will be wildly inconsistent or perhaps he’ll get beaten out by another highly-talented and mobile Sooners quarterback, Trevor Knight (who also has the potential to put up the same kind of numbers we’re musing about, eventually).

But, if Bell follows the path of recent OU signal callers, we’re likely to see some pretty good passing totals. Add in his already-established rushing credentials and we’re looking at a player who has a legit shot of putting up Tebow-like numbers for a traditional power.

And that’s why he might be the top dark horse on my post-spring Heisman Watch List.

 

 

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The 2013 HeismanPundit/CBSSports.com Heisman Trophy Watch List (post-spring edition)

By on April 25, 2013 in Heisman Watch 2013

Reigning Heisman winner Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M highlights the first edition of the 2013 Heismanpundit/CBSSports.com Heisman Trophy Watch List released on Thursday.

The prestigious annual list gives football fans an early glimpse at a great crop of Heisman contenders for the coming season. This year’s post-spring watch contains 30 players.

Heismanpundit/CBSSports.com will consider other players for the 2013 Heisman Trophy Watch List and will also delete players as the season progresses.

The Heisman Trophy, presented annually since 1935, is the most prestigious award in sports.  It is named after famed college football coach John W. Heisman.

The 2013 winner will be announced in New York on Saturday, Dec. 14.

The 2013 Heismanpundit/CBSSports.com Heisman Trophy Watch List (post spring edition)

(in alphabetical order)

Ameer Abdullah, Jr., RB, Nebraska

David Ash, Jr., QB, Texas

Blake Bell, Jr., QB, Oklahoma

Tajh Boyd, Sr., QB, Clemson

Teddy Bridgewater, Jr., QB, Louisiville

Ka’deem Carey, Jr., RB, Arizona

Derek Carr, Sr., QB, Fresno State

Jadeveon Clowney, Jr., DE, South Carolina

Stefon Diggs, So., WR, Maryland

Cody Fajardo, Jr., QB, Nevada

David Fales, Sr., QB, San Jose State

Devin Gardner, Jr., QB, Michigan

Everett Golson, So., QB, Notre Dame

Todd Gurley, So., RB, Georgia

Kevin Hogan, So., QB, Stanford

Brett Hundley, So., QB, UCLA

Duke Johnson, So., RB, Miami

Chuckie Keeton, Jr., QB, Utah State

Marqise Lee, Jr., WR, USC

Jordan Lynch, Sr., QB, Northern Illinois

Johnny Manziel, So., QB, Texas A&M

Marcus Mariota, So., QB, Oregon

Venric Mark, Sr., RB, Northwestern

Taylor Martinez, Sr., QB, Nebraska

AJ McCarron, Sr., QB, Alabama

Aaron Murray, Sr., QB, Georgia

Braxton Miller, Jr., QB, Ohio State

Lache Seastrunk, Jr., RB, Baylor

De’Anthony Thomas, Jr., RB, Oregon

TJ Yeldon, So., RB, Alabama

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Report: Spurrier had Clowney on his ballot

By on April 24, 2013 in Heisman Watch 2013

It’s not really a surprise that Steve Spurrier had Jadeveon Clowney on his Heisman ballot last year. After all, Clowney did finish sixth in the overall vote and the big end is one of Spurrier’s players.

I find this quote from Spurrier pretty interesting, though:

“It’s hard for a defensive player to do a whole lot. He had the big hit against Michigan, and other than that, their offensive tackle blocked him pretty well. When you’ve got a couple of guys blocking one guy, it’s hard to take over a ballgame.”

This quote goes to the heart of why it will always be next-to-impossible for a defensive player to win the Heisman. Here we get an admission that, other than the spectacular play, Clowney was blocked pretty well by Michigan’s tackle. And when he was double-teamed, it made it that much harder.

This is what Clowney must overcome. Not only is it hard for him to affect a game from his position, he will also be schemed against when he DOES start to affect a game. What do you do when Clowney beats your tackle for two early sacks?  You double team him and then maybe you don’t hear from him again.

Meanwhile, the quarterback touches the ball on every play. A running back might get 30 touches.

A defensive end only has a couple moments to shine. Unless he makes the most of them, then he is put on the back burner.

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Dennis Dodd’s open letter to the Heisman Trust

By on April 8, 2013 in General CFB, Heisman History, Heisman Watch 2013

Long-time Heisman voter and colleague Dennis Dodd is giving up his Heisman vote due to the trust’s short-sighted policy of punishing voters who reveal their choices before the ceremony.

Dodd wrote a powerful letter to those in charge of the trophy:

To: William Dockery
President, Heisman Trust
17 Battery Place, Suite 1226
New York, NY 10004

Bill:

I respectfully resign my Heisman vote effective immediately.

This is my way of getting out on my own terms before the Heisman Trustees can throw me out. Monday is the deadline in your organization’s ham-handed attempt (in my opinion) to make secret a process that has been a joyful, celebrated American sports tradition for decades.

As you know, in August voters were notified if they didn’t agree to hide their Heisman ballots, voting privileges would be up for review. A heretofore unenforced “non-disclosure requirement” was mentioned.

Last month about 50 of the 928 voters from 2012 were admonished for revealing their ballots. I was one of them. Your letter arrived with the names “Johnny Manziel,” “Manti Teo” and “Collin Klein” highlighted from my column with a yellow marker like I had cheated in class.

We had until April 8 to atone for our sins — aka promise “in writing” we would hide our ballots from public consumption after the voting deadline (early December). Even then, you stated regional and state representatives “will take your explanation into consideration when determining the 2013 electorate.”

So this is what Heisman double-secret probation feels like. It’s not worth it. Not like this: Bill, it seems that you didn’t send letters to all the “violators.” I know that. I’ve received at least one call from a media member who did the same thing as me — wrote about his ballot for an annual column. So now we have a case of a previously unenforced non-disclosure agreement being applied arbitrarily.

But let’s forget that for a second. Having voted for at least 15 years, I/we at least deserved an explanation for this sudden change of protocol. I contacted all nine Heisman trustees, including you. They are captains of law, finance and industry. Eight did not return my phone messages and/or emails.

Richard Kalikow of Manchester Real Estate and Construction in New York was kind enough to spend a few minutes on the phone. Mr. Kalikow explained that while he remembers the trustees making such a decision he didn’t remember when, or many details.

“We want to keep it [voting] under wraps like the Oscars or another announcement,” Mr. Kalikow said. “We don’t want any announcements going out before the television announcement.”

That raised an important question. Did ESPN pressure the trustees to make this decision? The Heisman show has drawn record ratings lately and would seemingly be unaffected by 50 voters revealing their ballots less than a week before the announcement. I was told by Mr. Kalikow and a Heisman spokesman there was no interference from ESPN.

Good.

As for the Oscar analogy, we are talking statuettes and stiff arms, Bill. Two different things. If you mean that careers are sometimes made and lost on who wins an Oscar and a Heisman, then yes, they are the same.

If you mean the voting processes are similar, then no. According to this website, Oscar nominees are decided the same way the Cambridge, Mass. City Council is elected, the same way the Australian Senate and parliament of Ireland are elected.

The same way we elect a president. It’s called a proportional voting system and I have little idea what it means. I do know that when I voted for the Heisman, Deliotte and Touche handled the ballots and that was pretty much good enough for everyone. Now with all the ballots in one big secret pot, we’ll just have to — like the Oscars — take the accountants’ word for it.

It’s called transparency, Bill, and there is precious little of it these days in college athletics. I am resigning my vote because I cannot in good conscience participate in a process where there is more secrecy, not less. You may have noticed, there’s a huge need to keep things on the up and up in college athletics these days. The world has become a very skeptical place because of the implied words from the NCAA: “Trust us.”

There’s something wrong with O.J. Simpson still having a vote (as a former winner) and a bunch of slappy sportswriters in danger of losing theirs. A Heisman vote is not a right. I get that. But someone must still explain to me why, after 70-plus years of not invoking the non-disclosure clause, the Heisman Trust is using it as some sort of threat against loyal voters.

A threat that has become selective and unfair, considering all the voters who “violated” policy were not contacted.

“Then maybe that was an oversight on our part that we didn’t know all the people who revealed their ballots,” Kalikow said. “Everybody should have gotten a letter, probably.”

We both know, Bill, there are Heisman voters who have a hard time telling the difference between a first down and a spatula. Perhaps that’s unfair too, to those of us who care — care enough to make a special trip to the Downtown Athletic Club to survey the damage post-9/11.

This was in 2002 or 2003. The DAC was close to Ground Zero. The resulting devastation eventually reached all the way to Heisman finances. That day I crossed yellow police tape, alone, to enter the lobby of a building that held so much history.

Thankfully, the Heisman recovered to attract new sponsors and post those record TV ratings. A sophomore won the award for the first time, then a freshman. All that with us freely writing and talking about the Heisman. All of it publicizing your award, Bill.

That’s why I do know that secret ballots or not, we’re going to know the Heisman winner in advance nine times out of 10. It’s America. It’s the Heisman. It’s unique. We the people actually love that process.

Hiding things will never change the fact that voters can still anonymously divulge their ballots. I suggest you check out stiffarmtrophy.com which has predicted the Heisman winner for 11 consecutive years. There was even a way for me to keep my vote. I simply could have agreed to hide it, and write after the deadline, “I have filed my ballot and agreed to keep it secret. But if I were to divulge it, I’d be strongly leaning toward …”

Not worth it for me. Either everything is out in the open or nothing is. Lack of transparency is what has NCAA critics howling. But forget about me. Any Heisman process that doesn’t have CBSSports.com’s Tony Barnhart as a part of it, isn’t worth participating in. Mr. CFB has given up his vote too.

So, what’s the point? Heisman speculation is a cottage industry. It’s not going away. Neither are those record ratings on ESPN.

Bill, please don’t do this. The Heisman is about to lose some of its luster. The Reggie Bush debacle was bad enough. This just brings unneeded negative attention to an American tradition that ranks right up there with Chevrolet and apple pie.

Hope to speak to you about this further. You should have my number. I know you have my address.

There’s nothing more that I can add to this eloquent letter. All I can do is co-sign.

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