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Dez Bryant for Heisman?
 
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer
Published: 10/6/2008  2:06 AM
Last Modified: 10/6/2008  3:14 AM

 Outside of Oklahoma, there only was a smidgen of preseason accolades for Dez Bryant.

Oklahoma State's sophomore wide receiver had to take a backseat to Missouri's Jeremy Maclin and Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree as the predominant receivers in the Big 12 Conference and possibly the nation. Maclin is the dynamic dual-threat performer as a receiver and kick returner. Crabtree puts up gaudy numbers weekly in Tech's pass-happy system.

Maclin and Crabtree entered this season with the label of Heisman Trophy candidate.

Maybe it's time to throw Bryant's name into the Heisman race as well.

The Heisman Trophy is about hype and big numbers. Bryant is attaining more attention with each passing week due to his incredible performances.

Nine of the OSU sophomore's 27 receptions have gone for touchdowns. His 110-yard average per game receiving is just 2.5 yards off Crabtree's league-leading 112.5-yard average. Bryant has returned two punts for touchdowns this year. His 23.5-yard average leads the Big 12 and ranks fourth nationally.

OSU's 5-0 record and No. 17 ranking in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls will provide the opportunity for Bryant and his teammates to earn additional recognition.

This Saturday's game at No. 3 Missouri is nationally televised by ESPN2. Another big night by Bryant and a Cowboys upset victory could easily catapult his stature for national recognition and honors.

Maybe it is a bit far-fetched for a receiver to be a serious Heisman Trophy candidate in this age of quarterbacks routinely putting up monster statistical numbers annually. Maybe Bryant's X-factor is his kick return ability. That helped Notre Dame's Tim Brown in 1987 and Michigan's Desmond Howard in 1991 earn college football's top award.

Regardless if he is a Heisman candidate or not, Bryant has demonstrated through the first month of the season that he does not have to take a backseat to Maclin, or Crabtree, or any other receiver for that matter.



Matt Doyle 581-8316
matt.doyle@tulsaworld.com
By MATT DOYLE World Sports Writer

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COMMENTS 
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7 comments have been made for this team so far. Tell us what you think below!
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Report Comment
Dave in Houston, (10/6/2008 7:57:16 AM)
Not gonna happen. Heisman will never go to team not in a BCS bowl. Does anyone see OSU in a BCS game? End of Dez for Heisman discussion.
Report Comment
Stogdiddy, Broken Arrow (10/6/2008 8:38:52 AM)
Was Florida in a BCS Bowl last season?
Report Comment
MexiMike, tulsa (10/6/2008 11:53:00 AM)
The heisman award is a joke. They got it right last year but most often times Dave in Houston is right. It only goes to the best player in one of the BCS bowls as opposed to the best player in the nation. Even the lousy ESPN analysts don't talk about Bryant when they discuss the best receivers in the nation let alone the Big 12.
Report Comment
Have that, America (10/6/2008 1:24:08 PM)
The Heisman has become a sad representation of what is used to be. When you have people like Carson Palmer who has openly said that he will never put anyone on his ballot except for USC players, and guys that aren't even the best at their position let alone best all around player up for consideration (ie..Javon Ringer...what a joke) there is something VERY wrong.

It's little more than a political contest now days.
Report Comment
Have that, America (10/6/2008 1:25:41 PM)
Do I think Dez, at this time, should at least be in the discussion and up for debate? yes, very much so...but unless the cowboys break into the top 10 it wont happen
Report Comment
Dave in Houston, (10/6/2008 1:31:16 PM)
What I mean is a team late in the season, ranked high in BCS polls looking to land in one of the spots. But, that's not what I said so, touche 'Stogdiddy'. OSU will be lucky to come out of the next 7 games better than 3-4. We'll see if anyone brings up Heisman again in 3-4 weeks.
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Stogdiddy, Broken Arrow (10/6/2008 3:34:57 PM)
I smell what your steppin' in Dave. You're probably right - and even if you weren't, and the Heisman didn't lean towards BCS contenders, I still think it would be a long shot for Dez, at least this year... One thing's for sure, Dez is a FREAK!
 

 
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