LSU Tyrann Mathieu Las Vegas Odds to Win the 2012 Heisman Trophy

Monday, July 02, 2012

by Bovada Sportsbook

Only one defensive player in history has won the Heisman Trophy, and that was Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson in 1997. But many experts believe that LSU cornerback Tyrann Mathieu is very much in the Woodson mold in terms of being a game-changer. Could the "Honey Badger" win the Heisman in 2012? He is 35/1 on Bovada Sportsbook"s Las Vegas Odds to Win the 2012 Heisman Trophy.

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Mathieu was sensational last season as a sophomore as LSU was No. 1 for much of the season before falling to Alabama in the BCS Championship Game. Mathieu somehow led LSU in tackles with 70 and ranked first in the SEC in forced fumbles with six (No. 3 nationally) and fumbles recovered with five, which was also tops in the nation.

He was named the SEC Championship Game MVP against Georgia after he returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown, finished with 119 return yards, posted four solo tackles and recovered a fumble. Mathieu ranked second nationally with 16.2 yards per return in 2011. Mathieu also returned a punt 92 yards for a touchdown in a game against Arkansas and returned a fumble for a 23-yard score against Kentucky – he forced two fumbles in that game. In the season opener vs. Oregon, he forced a fumble on a punt that was returned for a touchdown.

In his 25-game career, Mathieu has created a total of 14 turnovers (eight fumble recoveries, four interceptions, two forced fumbles recovered by a teammate) and his 11 career forced fumbles ranks as the seventh-highest total in NCAA history and ties Guss Scott of Florida for the SEC record.

Mathieu won the Bednarik Award last season and was named a first-team All-American cornerback and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He also became the first Heisman finalist for LSU since Charles Alexander in 1977, with Mathieu finishing fifth. Billy Cannon (1959) is LSU’s lone Heisman winner.

LSU will be a Top-5 preseason team again this year, perhaps No. 1, and the defense should again be loaded so the "Honey Badger" could put up similar numbers. The Tigers open the season Sept. 1 vs. North Texas.

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billy cannon - charles alexander - charles woodson - guss scott - tyrann mathieu