Enough BS: Let’s start the Mason Graham Heisman hype train a rollin’

Submitted by Blue Kool Aid on March 20th, 2024 at 6:44 PM

We had the first defensive player win Heisman, now we will have first interior lineman Heisman winner. A testament to the value of kicking ass in the trenches.

we need a catchphrase, maybe even a logo

stephenrjking

March 20th, 2024 at 7:37 PM ^

Might be meant in jest, but it’s absolutely a key plank of any “unusual” Heisman campaign. A key, game-changing play, especially in a huge moment, is a crucial part of winning what is essentially a popularity contest between players whose contributions are hard to compare statistically.

I believe there have been two situations since Woodson where a defensive player was one play away from winning a Heisman:

  • 2009, Ndamukong Suh is getting serious hype. Nebraska plays national title contender Texas in the Big 12 championship game, and it’s surprisingly competitive. Nebraska leads very late and Texas is backed up against their own end zone in a two minute situation. If Suh gets the key stop, perhaps a safety, I believe he wins an otherwise unimpressive Heisman race that year instead of Mark Ingram (or other top candidates Toby Gerhart and Colt McCoy).
  • 2021, Aidan Hutchinson. CJ Stroud arcs a soft pass to Trayveon Henderson in the flat in the red zone… just over Aidan’s outstretched fingers. Aidan gets that and it’s a pick, maybe a pick six. And he’s getting a trophy in New York.

A unusual candidacy is possible but not likely. Woodson was a superb candidate with great contributions and highlights already, but there’s no question he sealed the trophy with an all-time performance in the biggest moment against OSU. 

ThisGuyFawkes

March 21st, 2024 at 10:58 AM ^

Agreed - great old song, that has seen many covers and variations. 

 

Johnny Burnett and the Rock n Roll trio did the original in like 49 or 50

^ This is incorrect. The song was first recorded by Tiny Bradshaw (a black jazz / R&B musician) in '51 and then covered by Johnny Burnett and the Rock and Roll Trio in '56. Obviously, not believing you did this intentionally, but it is astounding to see how the role black people played in the creation of rock and roll and other forms of music is dismissed or left out altogether in the overarching history.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Train_Kept_A-Rollin%27

Grampy

March 20th, 2024 at 7:08 PM ^

I may be in, but it's hard to forget that Ndamukong Suh had as dominant a season as any DT ever, but only finished 4th in the Heisman voting.  

TESOE

March 21st, 2024 at 6:02 AM ^

Suh played basketball down the street from my house. Was awesome. Mason is a different player/style, probably due to wrestling work. Emtman was the best I have ever seen.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2nqdv4

The early draft has ruined college sport but it would be awesome to see a Senior Graham. Maybe better than Steve. Saw Emtman at coin flip of championship. The best.

Frank Chuck

March 20th, 2024 at 7:49 PM ^

Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald are the gold standard for college dominance as an interior DL.

Look up Aaron Donald's stats. They're up there with Suh's stats. The only reason more people weren't aware of Donald's stats is because he played on mediocre Pitt teams. 

Graham and Grant will play on a reigning and defending National Championship Michigan team. If we keep winning, they should garner much more attention than Donald ever did. 

mGrowOld

March 20th, 2024 at 7:32 PM ^

“Mason Graham, the bestest most awesome player ever in the history of organized athletic competition”

Subtle, but I think that’s why it works.  You want the reader to come to their own conclusions and, you know, beat them over the head with the slogan.

Frank Chuck

March 20th, 2024 at 7:45 PM ^

Mason Graham would need a Ndamukong Suh level season to be a Heisman Finalist. I hope it happens.

More realistic scenario: Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant as 2024-25 unanimous all-Americans from the Michigan DL. I think each is primed to do amazing things.

-----

I'll use this opportunity to discuss the defense...

Will Johnson is Will Johnson. I wonder if he can reach Charles Woodson-esque levels of dominance this season.

I hope Derrick Moore and Josaiah Stewart take the next step and becomes monstrous pass rushers. 

Rod Moore doesn't get enough credit for being the elite defender he is. I hope he finally earns that recognition this season.

/And I'm optimistic about our LBs this season in Ernest Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham, and back-ups like Jimmy Rolder.

//I'm excited to see players like Ja'Den McBurrows, Zeke Berry, and Brandyn Hillman take the next step in the secondary.

///Enow Etta is getting some Spring hype. Rayshaun Benny will be returning from injury.