Ode To Johnny Manziel: 3 Past Freshman That Deserved Heisman Trophy

History could be made on December 8th, as Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel might become the first freshman to take home the Heisman Trophy. Whether it has been lack of production, lack of luck, or just bias against freshman exhibited by the voters, no freshman has finished higher than second place (and that didn’t happen until 2004). In fact, until Tim Tebow won the award in 2008, a sophomore had never won it. Contrary to the results, college football has seen some worthy Heisman candidates in its 76 years of existence. Many players have appeared to be on the brink of breaking the stigma, only to be stopped short of college football immortality. In no particular order, here are the most deserving.1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma (2004)I will continue to maintain that Adrian Peterson’s 2004 season was one of the most dominant I have ever seen. It was more the way he ran over hopeless defenders than it was the statistics that he put up, though he did manage 1,925 yards and 15 touchdowns. Pe...