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FSU Football: Writer puts Derwin James among Heisman candidates

By Jason Parker

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts in the first half against the Mississippi Rebels during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts in the first half against the Mississippi Rebels during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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FSU football could very well have a representative in New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony this December – could it be their defensive star?

In the 70 seasons that FSU football took the field after the conclusion of last season, three of those ended with one Seminole being named the Heisman Trophy winner as the most outstanding  player in college football. There are some experts out there who think that another Nole could be among those mentioned as a finalist for the award come this December.

While the current odds favor quarterback Deondre Francois – as signal callers tend to get the most love when it comes to the big awards – it’s the team’s defensive threat that has one writer saying look out.

This week, Bruce Feldman of Sports Illustrated gave his favorites for the award come the end of the season – and while he did have Francois at 15/1 odds at this point, safety Derwin James is the player he is saying to keep an eye on as a “value pick’:

"James is special. He is a play-making machine that can be deployed all over the field in a variety of roles. If he has a monster performance and shows he’s the best player on the field in Week 1 against Alabama when all eyes will be on that game, he could give juice to a Heisman campaign."

James would not only be the first FSU football defensive player to win the award, but just the second primarily defensive player to ever win the award – joining Michigan’s Charles Woodson during the 1997 season.

During spring practice, the Seminoles moved the redshirt sophomore and former five star recruit all over the field and played him at everything from cornerback to defensive end while he still recovered from knee surgery that cut his 2016 short. Some of that was for show, but most of it was because he has the ability to play anywhere on the field.

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It’s WAY too early to even think Derwin James will get a big apple invite – but it is fun to think about the idea. If any defensive player in college football is going to bring home the Heisman, the best chance is going to be the man wearing No. 3 on defense for FSU football.

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