Roman Harper defends Will Anderson, calls out Heisman Trophy for quarterback bias

The four finalists for the Heisman Trophy were recently announced. Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett, Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud, and Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson were recently named finalists for this year’s prestigious award. One notable omission from the list is Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. Anderson dominated the SEC all season and proved to be one of the most impactful players in college football, but he was not a Heisman finalist.

Alabama credits Anderson with 92 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries and two pass breakups this season. Despite his strong year, Anderson was left off of the list of Heisman finalists. Former Alabama star and Super Bowl Champion defensive back Roman Harper joined The Paul Finebaum Show on Thursday, where he sounded off on Anderson being left off the final Heisman ballot.

“It is an absolute travesty that Will Anderson Jr was not invited to the Heisman (ceremony) this weekend,” Harper told Finebaum. “He was the best player in the best conference all year long. Ask the coaches who was the one player who was the best player that everybody had to watch out for. It would probably be Will Anderson understandably so. Look at the stats, look at the numbers. This is no knock on Aidan Hutchinson, he had a great year. But if he was invited, there’s no way in the world you’re telling me Will Anderson is not invited. That is my biggest knock on it.”

Harper slams the Heisman Trophy for offensive bias, omitting Anderson

The Heisman Trophy is supposed to be given to the best player in college football. By that definition, Anderson undoubtedly deserves a seat at the final table. Instead, he finishes fifth in voting.

“If you look at the pure numbers, you look at the play all year long, Will Anderson has been the most dominant force in the SEC, in the best conference all year long. I just don’t understand it,” Harper added. “I’m fine with it, I don’t have a Heisman vote. I don’t think I’ll ever have one after what I’m done saying. But just stop lying to the people. Stop saying that it goes to the best player in college football every year when it doesn’t.

“It’s an offensive award that they want to give to the best offensive player that has really transcended or taken his team to the next level. Or if you’re a quarterback if you have championship potential or a championship team behind you. That’s who the award goes to. Just stop lying to the people. I’m a man of the people, so stop lying to us an telling us it goes to the best player when it’s purely not for the best player.”

The winner of this year’s Heisman Trophy will be announced on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.