Alabama football’s Minkah Fitzpatrick could be a serious candidate for the 2017 Heisman Trophy
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Minkah Fitzpatrick, defensive back for the Crimson Tide, exploded on the scene during his sophomore season. The young superstar returned a 100-yard interception for a pick-six against the Arkansas Razorbacks. He broke the Alabama football record for longest interception returned for a touchdown, and he wasn’t finished there.
In the 2016 SEC Championship game, he broke the Alabama football record for most pick-sixes. He has became a staple for the Crimson Tide, and continues to showcase his athleticism in each and every game.
Fitzpatrick is currently a junior at the University of Alabama. Six of the twelve regular season games have been played for the 2017 season, and he has 28 tackles and 1 interception. The impressive defensive player is on track to beat his freshman record and, possibly, his sophomore record.
The majority of the Heisman Trophies have been presented to quarterbacks and running backs. The only defensive player in history to win a Heisman Trophy was Michigan’s Charles Woodson. One would argue that Fitzpatrick’s incredible interceptions and pick-sixes are as important to the game as any offensive player.
Could he be a finalist?
The chances of a defensive player winning a Heisman Trophy are slim to none, but a couple of significant college football individuals think otherwise.
Sport Illustrated’s Bruce Feldman listed Minkah Fitzpatrick as a player who should be in the running for the trophy, and also had this to say about him:
"“We need to give some love to the best player on the nation’s best team. Fitzpatrick, the leader of the Tide’s defense, had 5 tackles, 2 for a loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 1 pass broken up in the win at Texas A&M. He does everything for Nick Saban’s defense. He’s actually leading Alabama in tackles for loss this season with 4 1/2. He has also blocked a kick and broken up 4 passes.”"
Fitzpatrick had an outstanding performance against Texas A&M. His one yard line interception may have won the game for the Crimson Tide, and ended the Aggies chances of upsetting the No. 1 team in the country.
Minkah Fitzpatrick reads QB's eyes, anticipates route & accelerates before ball is thrown, turning difficult cover assignment into easy INT. pic.twitter.com/JIfX2glUuC
— Rob Rang (@RobRang) October 8, 2017
Kevin Sumlin, the head coach of the Texas A&M Aggies, spoke highly of the defensive back. He also stated that Fitzpatrick should be in the running.
"“Fitzpatrick, I think, should be not just on the Thorpe Award list or any of that…I think he should be on the Heisman list,”"
Minkah Fitzpatrick has certainly changed the perspective of a defensive player. The young superstar continues to set records for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and a well deserved recognition should be in store. Be that a Heisman finalist, time will tell. If Fitzpatrick’s interceptions, pick-sixes, and countless defensive plays impress the college football world, then he could soon find himself sitting in the PlayStation Theater on December 9th.
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