In a revelation that should surprise absolutely no one, even those in and around Chestnut Hill, the front-runner for the 2013 Heisman Trophy has been accorded the ACC’s highest individual honor.
The ACC announced Wednesday afternoon that Jameis Winston has been named as the conference’s Player of the Year. The Florida State quarterback received 47 of a possible 65 votes, a total that was likely depressed due to the off-field cloud still hanging over the player. Boston College running back Andre Williams, the nation’s leading rusher, received 14 votes as a distant runner-up. Pittsburgh’ outstanding defensive tackle Aaron Donald received four while Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd accounted for the lone remaining vote.
Winston is the first freshman, redshirt or otherwise, in the history of the conference to claim overall Player of the Year honors.
Not so unexpectedly, Winston was also named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year. Winston had previously been named the ACC Rookie of the Year and was accorded first-team all-conference honors.
Donald was honored as the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year. At the end of the regular season, the defensive lineman led the nation with 26.5 tackles for loss and is tied for 14th with 10 sacks.