How does one garner support as one of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history, but at the same time be an afterthought among Heisman Trophy candidates? Perhaps not even AJ McCarron himself can explain that.
By most accounts, the Heisman race is narrowing without McCarron, just as Sports Illustrated poses the question of where he stands among the college game's best passers ever. With a 35-2 career record as Alabama's starting QB, and four wins away from what would be an unprecedented third consecutive BCS National Championship, his track record for winning is unmatched. Yet, the robust level of talent surrounding McCarron has driven questions about how effective he would be without an elite supporting cast at the NFL level.
McCarron, for his part, took a typically sheepish stance toward the attention on his Twitter page, deflecting credit to teammates for his success:
Is he better than, for instance, former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel? The ex-Gator smashed records and won a national title of his own. How about former Texas gunslinger Colt McCoy, who piled up dizzying numbers himself? It comes down to whether greatness is defined by raw talent, or by results.
Under the criteria of raw talent, McCarron has plenty of proven company in his own draft class, much less in college football history, who can make every throw he can make and more. Under the criteria of results, McCarron has enough conference and national championship rings to open a jewelry store.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
