Will Vols help Heisman campaign of Will Grier like they did Derrick Henry, others?

Tennessee never has produced a Heisman Trophy winner, but it has contributed greatly to other programs' Heisman winners. West Virginia should be enthused about that.

The Mountaineers are promoting senior quarterback Will Grier for the Heisman. And if UT’s defense is as bad as last season’s, it could do more than a billboard for his Heisman campaign.

That’s not just based on how generous UT’s defense was last season. Its recent Heisman history is also in Grier’s favor.

Three of the past four Heisman winners played against the Vols during their college career. Although they didn’t all play against Tennessee during their award-winning season, the Vols certainly helped them build a Heisman résumé.

Baker Mayfield got start vs Vols

Take last season’s winner, Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield. In his second game for the Sooners in 2015, he led a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback in Neyland Stadium that resulted in a double-overtime Oklahoma victory.

Right away, that established him as a clutch player. He would prove himself repeatedly in pressure situations throughout his career.

Alabama’s Derrick Henry starred against the Vols during his Heisman season in 2015. He rushed for 143 yards on 28 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown in the last three minutes as the Tide beat the Vols 19-14 en route to a national championship.

Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, who won the 2014 Heisman, played spectacularly against Tennessee a year earlier. Mariota completed 23 of 33 passes for 456 yards and four touchdowns as Oregon coasted to a 59-14 victory.

Tim Tebow, Danny Wuerffel benefitted, too

UT’s history for bringing out the best in Heisman winners goes back even further. Florida can attest to that.

Florida’s two most recent Heisman winners, quarterbacks Tim Tebow and Danny Wuerffel, both had impressive performances against the Vols.

Tebow completed 14 of 19 passes for 299 yards, rushed for 61 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in Florida’s 59-20 victory over Tennessee during his Heisman season in 2007.

In Wuerffel’s Heisman season (1996), he threw for four touchdowns as the Gators beat Tennessee 35-29.

Another advantage for Will Grier

Grier, who began his college career at Florida, will have more going for him than UT’s Heisman history.

Last season, he ranked eighth nationally with 34 touchdown passes even though he missed the last two games with a broken middle finger on his throwing hand. 

Grier will lead a more experienced offense this season, and much of that experience is at wide receiver.

Preseason All-American wide receiver David Sills had 60 catches and 18 touchdown receptions last season. Wide receiver Gary Jennings caught 97 passes for 1,096 yards. Another wide receiver, Marcus Simms, averaged 18.9 yards on 35 receptions.

Those proven receivers will be competing against UT’s not-so-proven cornerbacks. And if Grier wants to win the Heisman, he will need to capitalize on those matchups.

If he doesn’t, other Heisman candidates might. Four other highly rated quarterbacks —Missouri’s Drew Lock, Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham, Georgia Jake Fromm and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa — also will get a shot at Tennessee’s defense.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

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