New York State In-depth

Syracuse football announces Heisman campaign for running back Sean Tucker

Syracuse, NY — Fans of Sean Tucker will be pleased by Syracuse football’s most recent announcement.

The program officially launched Tucker’s 2022 Heisman Trophy campaign Monday, complete with a hashtag and microsite. The hashtag, “#PL34SED,” is a play on Tucker’s frequent use of the word when evaluating his performances via Twitter postgame. He even used it in his commitment announcement back in 2020.

The website features videos and stories to get to know Tucker better, a link to his official merchandise, his highlights and stats, a list of his awards and the official campaign hype video.

The Heisman Trophy is presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football. It is named for American football player, coach and sportswriter John W. Heisman.

Syracuse legend Ernie Davis is the program’s only player to ever win the Heisman Trophy. He became the first African-American recipient of the award when he won it in 1961 following a standout season. Davis rushed for 823 yards and 15 touchdowns, breaking multiple program records. Two seasons prior, he’d helped lead SU to its lone national title.

Orange quarterback Don McPherson was a runner-up for the trophy in 1987, losing to Notre Dame wide receiver Tim Brown.

Since its founding in 1935, only 38 running backs, including Davis, have won the prestigious award. Alabama’s Derrick Henry was the most recent running back to win the award when he took it home following his junior season in 2015.

Last year, Robert Griffin III, the 2011 Heisman winner, placed Tucker on his top 5 list for the trophy a month into the season. The running back finished the year with a program record of 1,496 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns. He was the top offensive vote-getter in 2021 All-ACC voting.

At ACC Kickoff last week, Syracuse coach Dino Babers said Tucker is “not the same” player as last year, lauding his offseason work to better his game for 2022.

Tucker has already been named to watch lists for the Doak Walker Award and Maxwell Award; he was a semifinalist for both awards in 2021. He’s also been named a preseason All-American by several publications.

Multiple other ACC players will likely vye for Heisman odds this season.

NC State has already launched a soft campaign for Devin Leary under the slogan “DLeary Delivers,” but has refrained from officially labeling it as a trophy bid.

The quarterback has made several appearances on the now-ended ACC Network “Packer & Durham” show, delivered snow cones to kids at summer camps and shipped out branded hats to media members. The program is using “#DLD13″ for the campaign.

As of July 19, Ohio State QB CJ Stroud is the favorite to win the trophy, according to Action Network. Alabama QB Bryce Young and USC QB Caleb Williams also have high odds. Young was the 2021 Heisman recipient.

Voting for the 2022 Heisman Trophy will begin in November, with four finalists announced on Dec. 5. The winner of the trophy will then be announced live from New York City on Dec. 10 at 8 pm on ESPN.

Contact Emily Leiker anytime: Email | Twitter

MORE ORANGE FOOTBALL

SU football’s Mikel Jones named to prominent linebacker award watch list

Axe: Harsh lesson for Boeheim’s Army; ACC commish drops ball on media day (quick takes)

Syracuse football running back target Ike Daniels announces commitment

One of the ACC’s top QBs ‘grew up’ under SU coach Jason Beck: ‘He’s ultra competitive’

Mikel Jones says other programs tried to recruit him away from Syracuse. Why did he stay?

Garrett Shrader is confident he fits in with Syracuse’s new coaches: ‘It’s my offense, my team’

Comments are closed.