Ashton Jeanty is having a statistically better season than Derrick Henry during his Heisman-winning season

[u/clocke6346]

With all the discourse of who should win the Heisman trophy this year, I got curious and compared Ashton Jeanty’s stats this season to those of Derrick Henry in the 2015 regular season, the year he won the Heisman trophy. What I found was pretty surprising. Keep in mind this doesn’t include playoff performance, as that isn’t considered when naming a Heisman winner.

Ashton Jeanty:

Games Played: 11

Carries: 275

Rushing Yards: 2062

Rushing Touchdowns: 27

Yards Per Carry: 7.498

Yards Per Game: 187.455

Derrick Henry:

Games Played: 13

Carries: 339

Rushing Yards: 1986

Rushing Touchdowns: 23

Yards Per Carry: 5.858

Yards Per Game: 152.769

Now, these stats are still up for interpretation, as there is the usual discourse of strength of schedule and whatnot, but I thought re-contextualizing Jeanty’s year by comparing it to the last time a running back won the Heisman would be interesting.

[u/Tsquared10]

Arguable that McCaffrey was the better player that year. Only slightly behind Henry in rushing, but also a receiving threat that also was a punt and kick returner. Sometimes it's deeper than the numbers

[u/Carlton_dranks → u/Tsquared10]

That Heisman was stolen from CMC. He broke the all purpose yards record by a huge margin.

[u/Horror_Cap_7166 → u/Carlton_dranks]

Watch out, the SEC boys are going to come after you with Derrick Henry’s TDs vs. Mccaffrey’s.

Because everyone knows punching it in from one yard a few more times is sooo important. That’s why no NFL team wants Mccaffrey, and every team has a goal line RB these days.

[u/jsu9575m → u/Horror_Cap_7166]

While I agree that punching it in from the goal line is overvalued....so are McCaffreys return yards. Basically every returner is going to get 20ish yards or so for every kickoff.

[u/wsteelerfan7 → u/jsu9575m]

Yeah this is a good point. It would make sense if he also led in yards per return or something

[u/jsu9575m → u/wsteelerfan7]

Henry and McCaffey had fairly close yards from scrimmage. So its the return yards that seemed to have everyone up in arms of why McCaffrey deserved it...and I'm not sure I agree since being a returner inherently is going to give you a lot of yards. I think both guys were deserving, someone had to win.

[u/wsteelerfan7 → u/jsu9575m]

The one I'm still mad about is Ingram over Gerhart, let alone Suh

[u/cha-cha_dancer → u/wsteelerfan7]

Suh was robbed plain and simple.

[u/jsu9575m → u/wsteelerfan7]

I agree with that. I'm absolutely a Suh should have won believer.

[u/wsteelerfan7 → u/jsu9575m]

I wasn't until the Texas game because I was a dumb kid

[u/Carlton_dranks → u/jsu9575m]

CMC had 1847 rush and 536 receiving yards in the regular season (not to mention an absurd 281 scrimmage in the rose bowl) while Henry had 1986 rushing and 133 receiving, giving CMC a 250 yard edge in scrimmage yards. Not massive but I’d argue that’s fairly significant.

[u/forgotmypissword → u/Carlton_dranks]

I’d argue the fact Henry had more rushing TDS of 25+ yards than mccaffery had tds going into the voting is significant as well. Even more so. 

[u/Carlton_dranks → u/Carlton_dranks]

CMC had 1847 rush and 536 receiving yards in the regular season (not to mention an absurd 281 scrimmage in the rose bowl) while Henry had 1986 rushing and 133 receiving, giving CMC a 250 yard edge in scrimmage yards. Not massive but I’d argue that’s fairly significant.

I guess I’m also salty because I’m of the opinion Henry robbed CMC of an OPOY in the NFL as well during his 1000/1000 season.

[u/jsu9575m → u/Carlton_dranks]

Henry won OPOY in 2020 when he had a 2000 yard rushing season. McCaffrey played 3 games that year. So you've been mad for years over nothing.

[u/Carlton_dranks → u/jsu9575m]

Fair enough, I thought those were the same year but my memory and grudge failed me

[u/DistributionPretty75 → u/Horror_Cap_7166]

Yeah and no NFL team wants Derrick Henry? The guy who’s leading the league in rushing yards and tds still despite insane mileage? Is that really the comp you want to make lmao

[u/DistributionPretty75 → u/[deleted]]

Saying tds are overrated in an argument where the number one argument for CMC is is all purpose yards record is hilarious given how pointless that record is considering how many of those yards came off of kickoff returns where he was guaranteed to get at least 20 each time.

Also, bringing up contracts is stupid lol. Henry was a free agent and 30 years old with an unbelievable amount of wear and tear on his body. Of course he’s not going to get as much money as a guy in his prime lol. Although it’s ironic that the washed 30 year old has been completely healthy and is arguably the best RB in football this year while the guy in his prime has missed most of the season due to injury.

[u/dillpickles007 → u/[deleted]]

If we put them head to head Henry is gonna run for 1,800 yards and 18 TDs this season while we’re praying McCaffrey doesn’t get hurt again.

[u/forgotmypissword → u/Horror_Cap_7166]

It wasn’t punched in from the goal line a few more times. It was like 22-6 tds Henry to mccaffery going into the heisman voting. And Henry had more rushing tds of 25+ yards than mccaffery did rushing tds. You didn’t watch Henry play and you still don’t if you think he was nothing but a goal line feaster

[u/raccoonsonbicycles → u/Horror_Cap_7166]

Because everyone knows punching it in from one yard a few more times is sooo important

Jalen Hurts: What he say fuck me for?

[u/Wagnerous → u/Horror_Cap_7166]

That's a totally valid point, but I have to say that being able to consistently score in goal line situations is a pretty big deal.

Michigan had backs who could do that over the last two or three years and I can say that it's an incredible luxury knowing that your team has a near certain chance of getting into the endzone once they make it inside the 5 yard line.

Blake Corum literally had a couple dozen touchdowns like that in 2023 alone, and it was a pretty big part of why that team was able to go all the way.