Haskins named Heisman finalist

COLUMBUS – Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins was named a Heisman Trophy finalist Monday night by the Downtown Athletic Club in New York.

The Ohio State University Department of Athletics
Excellent! OSU’s graphic promoting Haskins for the Heisman Trophy — “Dwayne’s World”– pokes a little fun at the other finalists, Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray. (The Ohio State University Department of Athletics)

The sophomore threw for 4,580 yards and 47 touchdowns this season, both school and conference single-season records, while leading the Buckeyes to their second consecutive Big Ten title.

Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa and Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray are the other two finalists.

The last time the finalists were three quarterbacks was 2008, when Sam Bradford of Oklahoma won the Heisman over Colt McCoy of Texas and Tim Tebow of Florida.

This year’s Heisman Trophy presentation will be aired on Dec. 8 at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN.

Haskins is the fifth Heisman Trophy finalist from Ohio State since finalists were first invited to the ceremony in 1982. The others were Keith Byers in 1984, Eddie George in 1995, Orlando Pace in 1996 and Troy Smith in 2006. George and Smith both won the trophy.

Most recently, Haskins claimed the Silver Football Award from the Chicago Tribune as the Big Ten’s best player and the conference’s awards for Offensive Player of the Year and Quarterback of the Year.