Heisman Trophy: Five finalists named

Louisville sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson and Clemson junior quarterback Deshaun Watson headline a group of five Heisman Trophy finalists announced Monday evening.

Oklahoma junior quarterback Baker Mayfield, Sooners senior wide receiver Dede Westbrook and Michigan junior linebacker Jabrill Peppers are also finalists.

Jackson is the first Heisman finalist in Louisville history. The 19-year-old set an Atlantic Coast Conference record for total touchdowns this season with 51 (30 passing, 21 rushing) after passing for 3,390 yards and rushing for 1,538 for the 13th-ranked Cardinals (9-3).

"It really hasn't hit me yet," Jackson said of his Heisman candidacy, via ESPN.com. "I'm still trying to let it sink in."

Jackson was named the ACC's Player of the Year. He is the first player in FBS history with 3,300 passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards.

Watson, 21, threw for 3,914 yards and 37 touchdowns while rushing for 529 yards and six more scores. He totaled 4,443 yards of offense in helping lead Clemson (12-1) to a second straight ACC championship.

Watson and the second-ranked Tigers face third-ranked Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 with a spot in the College Football Playoffs Championship game on the line.

He finished third in Heisman voting last year behind winner Derrick Henry of Alabama and running back Christian McCaffrey of Stanford.

Mayfield, 21, led the country in completion percentage (71.2 percent) and quarterback efficiency after passing for 3,669 yards and totaling 44 touchdowns (38 passing, six rushing) for the seventh-ranked Sooners (10-2).

He finished fourth in Heisman voting as a sophomore in 2015.

Westbrook, 23, is fourth in the country in receiving yards per game (122.1) after hauling in 1,465 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Peppers, 21, is the first defensive player since former Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o in 2012 to be invited to New York for the Heisman ceremony.

The Wolverines' website bills him as the "most versatile player in college football," as Peppers has logged 933 snaps and played 15 different positions for sixth-ranked Michigan (10-2) this season.

Peppers is tied for second on the team with a career-high 72 tackles and has four sacks, an interception and a forced fumble in 2016.

He leads the Big Ten and is tenth in the country with 14.8 yards per punt return this season.

The 82nd Heisman Trophy will be awarded in a nationally televised ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 10.