5 reasons Connor Cook will win the Heisman Trophy
Nov 29, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) bobbles the ball during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Michigan State defeated Penn State 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O
It seems like just yesterday when Connor Cook was a no-name second/third-string quarterback on the roster, sitting behind guys like Andrew Maxwell, Tyler O’Connor and even fighting freshman Damion Terry for time before he was redshirted.
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Cook took over for Maxwell in the beginning of the 2013 season and never looked back. He ended up leading MSU to 13 wins and a Rose Bowl in his first year as starter and then 11 wins and a Cotton Bowl in his second campaign.
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Many people believe he could be the first quarterback chosen in the 2016 NFL Draft, or even the first player overall.
One thing is for certain, though. Michigan State is a much better team with him under center than they would be with anyone else. Yes, I’m including all quarterbacks in college football in that conversation. Going 23-3 as a starter is no joke.
For that reason, I believe he will become Michigan State’s first-ever Heisman winner in 2015, silencing critics and doubters stretching from Ann Arbor to Columbus. He has grown into one of the biggest household names in college football and will soon be playing on Sundays.
If you told me three years ago that third-string quarterback Connor Cook would be a serious Heisman contender and would lead MSU to its first Rose Bowl in decades followed by a Cotton Bowl the next year, I would have called you insane.
Crazier things have happened, but Cook has taken a somewhat-unreal path to stardom.
Let’s take a look at the five reasons why he will become this year’s Heisman winner.
Next: 5. Calm under pressure