Heisman Trophy finalists were announced today and the list didn’t have any surprises. Joe Burrow (Quarterback, LSU), Chase Young (Defensive End, Ohio State), Justin Fields (Quarterback, Ohio State) and Jalen Fields (Quarterback, Oklahoma) will make their way to New York to find out who wins the prestigious award. Burrow is the odds on favorite to walk away with the award and he may end up being the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.
The NFL MVP race doesn’t work that way but right now the favorites to win the award essentially comes down to two players: Lamar Jackson and Russell Wilson. No one else really has a shot.
That brings up an interesting scenario. For the first time in history, the Heisman Trophy winner could be older than the NFL MVP winner.
Burrow is in his fifth year of college after redshirting his first year at Ohio State. He turns 23 tomorrow on December 10th — happy birthday, Joe! — and is going to win the Heisman Trophy unless something crazy happens with Chase Young becoming the first defensive player since Charles Woodson to win the award.
Jackson is the favorite to win MVP unless Wilson goes on a complete tear in the final three games. Even then, Jackson’s season and story may be too hard for voters to pass up. Jackson doesn’t turn 23 until January.
So, it’s only a few months difference but that means the Heisman Trophy favorite — Burrow — is older than the NFL MVP favorite — Jackson. If things play out as most expect them to, history will be made this year.
