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	Friday, December 13, 2002 2001: A Heisman Odyssey By Will Weiss BCSfootball.com The 2000 Heisman Trophy race could be the closest since Bo Jackson edged Chuck Long in 1985. From the outset of this season's hoopla, much of the attention focused on quarterbacks, with Drew Brees, Chris Weinke, Eric Crouch receiving hype since the preseason. Brees and Weinke followed through with excellent years, while Crouch started out hot and faded in the final six weeks. But as is the case every season, there are surprises upon surprises, as a certain QB from South Dakota emerged from obscurity to lead Oklahoma to its first perfect season since 1974 and a shot at the national championship. There was also a running back from Northwestern who gained more than 1,900 yards to bring the Wildcats from conference doormat to conference wrecking ball. With the number of surprises, though, comes an equal number of disappointments. Miami's Santana Moss put up fabulous numbers towards the end of the season, but his early struggles knocked him out of contention. Preseason favorite Michael Vick didn't wow us in the same manner he did last January in New Orleans, and gone with an ankle injury were his hopes of attaining the bronzed statuette. Seniors Brees, Weinke, Heupel and LaDainian Tomlinson made the final cut for this season's Heisman Trophy presentation. Looking at all the talent that surfaced this season, the 2001 race could be just as exciting and tight. Here's a look at 14 players who could receive a nod next year. DAMIEN ANDERSON   School: Northwestern Year: Senior Position: Running back Ht/Wt: 5-11, 208 Hometown: Wilmington, Ill. Year Games Rush Yards TD Rec. Yards TD 2000 11 293 1914 22 15 120 0 Career 34 763 3579 29 41 383 0 The explosion of Damien Anderson and Northwestern was arguably the feel-good story of the year, as the Wildcats stormed to an 8-3 record and a share of the Big Ten title. The junior used his breakaway speed to finish second in the nation in rushing behind Tomlinson and his 22 TDs tied him for second in the country in scoring. With all the key components returning to Evanston next season, don't expect Anderson or the Purple and Black to retreat into oblivion like Andrew Ridgely from Wham. MICHAEL BENNETT   School: Wisconsin Year: Senior Position: Running back Ht/Wt: 5-10, 204 Hometown: Milwaukee Year Games Rush Yards TD Rec. Yards TD 2000 10 294 1598 10 4 23 0 Career 21 350 1890 14 5 52 0 We didn't hear much from the Wisconsin sprinter over the last half of the season, but in 10 games, his totals were more than respectable, considering the spot he had to fill. Bennett single-handedly took Wisconsin past Oregon, and his 293 yards weren't enough to defeat Northwestern back in September. A workhorse running back with exceptional speed and underrated strength, Bennett is certainly capable of putting up the numbers to get him to New York. ERIC CROUCH   School: Nebraska Year: Senior Position: Quarterback Ht/Wt: 6-1, 205 Hometown: Omaha, Neb. Year Games Comp-Att-Int Yards TD Rush Yards TD 2000 11 75-156-7 1101 11 169 971 20 Career 31 207-417-15 2971 22 445 2319 41 Eric Crouch had two below-average games this season that took him out of the race: the Huskers' losses against Oklahoma and Kansas State. Crouch may be the best running quarterback in college football, and his leadership skills are unquestioned. He is another in the line of great quarterbacks to run Nebraska's multiple-option powerhouse. But, Crouch's Achilles heel is his passing ability, which isn't entirely his fault -- he isn't surrounded with the receiving talent to bolster his numbers in that regard. Yes, he set a school record with five TD passes against Iowa, but a 48.1 completion percentage just will not get it done. KEN DORSEY   School: Miami Year: Junior Position: Quarterback Ht/Wt: 6-5, 200 Hometown: Orinda, Calif. Year Games Comp-Att-Int Yards TD Rush Yards TD 2000 11 188-322-5 2737 25 16 -23 1 Career 17 262-442-7 3544 35 24 -43 2 Dorsey had a deer-in-the-headlights demeanor in Miami's loss to Washington Sept. 9. Since then, though, the sophomore has transformed into a dangerous piece the Hurricanes' offensive cavalry. His two-minute scoring drive against Florida State was one of the best performances by a quarterback this season, and with the weapons around him, Dorsey has the potential to put up absurd numbers next year. Should he lead the 'Canes to a decisive win against Florida in the Nokia Sugar Bowl and a potential share of the national championship, expect his IPO to shoot through the roof. JAMAR FLETCHER   School: Wisconsin Year: Senior Position: Cornerback Ht/Wt: 5-10, 176 Hometown: St. Louis Year Games TT TFL-yards Int. PD 2000 9 27 0-0 6 19 Career 31 112 4-11 19 37 The only defensive player on this list. Simply put, Fletcher is the best cover-man in college football. Had ShoeGate not cut three games out of his 2000 campaign, he could have easily led the nation in interceptions. His three-INT performance against Oregon showed his all-star ability. Should he stay at Wisconsin for his senior season, he could break every Big Ten record for interceptions. JABAR GAFFNEY   School: Florida Year: Sophomore Position: Wide receiver Ht/Wt: 6-1, 191 Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla. Year Games Rec. Yards TD 2000 12 71 1184 14 Career 12 71 1184 14 What a difference a year makes. At this time a year ago, Jabar Gaffney was kicked off the team due to behavioral issues. Steve Spurrier gave Gaffney a second chance, and he took the ball and ran with it -- literally. He set NCAA freshman records touchdown catches and receiving yards, and established numerous school records with his play. With fellow freshman Rex Grossman taking the helm full-time next season, Florida could have the best QB-receiver combination since Weinke and Peter Warrick. DREW HENSON   School: Michigan Year: Senior Position: Quarterback Ht/Wt: 6-4, 219 Hometown: Brighton, Mich. Year Games Comp-Att-Int Yards TD Rush Yards TD 2000 8 131-217-4 1852 16 27 30 2 Career 26 199-354-7 2652 22 61 82 3 People have said repeatedly that Drew Henson could be the best quarterback around if he devoted 12 months a year to playing football. He displayed his arm strength, leadership and talent all season. An early-season foot injury and three unfortunate losses eliminated Henson this season. However, should he return in 2001 and not play third base in the Cincinnati Reds farm system, you'd have to place Henson right up there at the top of the list of quarterbacks who can win the award. Click here to see more of BCSfootball.com's preview of the 2001 Heisman race.	ALSO SEE Weinke, Heupel head finalists for Heisman Trophy SEARCH Keyword ESPN.com The Web

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