Welcome to Before The Snap, For The Win’s college football show where we’ll break down the sport’s trending storylines, examine each week’s biggest matchups and track the College Football Playoff and Heisman Trophy races.
Ohio State defensive end Chase Young had a standout game in the Buckeyes’ 38-7 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday during Week 9. He was so dominant against the Badgers that college football fans passionately argued on Twitter about why the junior should at least be in the 2019 Heisman Trophy conversation.
And we agree.
Through Ohio State’s first eight games this season, Young has 29 total tackles (22 solo), and he’s already passed his sack total from 2018 and leads the nation with 13.5 for 95 total yards so far this year. He finished last season with 10.5.
He also has a season total of five forced fumbles and was the biggest reason Wisconsin’s offense couldn’t find a spark Saturday.
Against the Badgers alone, Young finished with six tackles (all solo), four sacks and two forced fumbles. Wisconsin is the best team the Buckeyes have played to date, and it didn’t stand a chance with Young on the field. He’s been phenomenal all season, but Saturday, he exploded onto the national scene.
If he continues putting up incredible stats each week — even if Saturday’s matchup turns out to be his best statistical game of the season — he should absolutely remain in the Heisman conversation and have a realistic shot at being a finalist — if not winning it all.
Heisman history, however, is not on his side because Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson is still the only defensive player to win it. Offense seems to be what impresses Heisman voters the most, but with an explosive player like Young, who’s capable of repeatedly disrupting offenses in such exceptional fashion, that could change this year.
