Tanner Morgan Drafted Top-5 in 2020 ‘Heisman Draft’ (The Athletic)… His Top Target Gets Snubbed

On Tuesday morning The Athletic released an article of their 35 most likely college football players to win the Heisman Trophy. Their college football experts drafted 35 players (7 writers | 5 rounds) they thought were most likely to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy. Picked 5th overall by Andy Staples, was Minnesota Gophers QB, Tanner Morgan… but going undrafted was his favorite receiver, Rashod Bateman. 

Morgan was drafted after 4 QB’s: Justin Fields (Ohio State), Trevor Lawrence (Clemson), Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma), and Jamie Newman (Georgia). And by the way, all those quarterbacks listed above were 5-stars entering college, except for Newman and Morgan, according to 247sports.com.

Round 1, Pick 5 (No. 5 overall): QB Tanner Morgan, Minnesota

“Tanner Morgan had crazy-good numbers last season. He completed 66 percent of his throws, and no QB who returns this season had more yards per attempt than Morgan’s 10.2. New offensive coordinator Mike Sanford, please don’t let Morgan drop off the way Jordan Love did in your one year with him.”

Andy Staples – The Athletic

I mean, who would’ve thought that Tanner Morgan — who was recruited as a 3-star and only landed in Minnesota because he followed PJ — would now be projected to win the Heisman Trophy and be a first-round pick? Not me. I don’t know if P.J. Fleck did either, but I’m sure he’s happy with the way Tanner’s turned out thus far.

“He’s so gifted on and off the field. If there’s one guy outworking everyone else in the country, it’s that guy. I can’t say that for a fact, but if I had to bet everything I have on that, I would.”

Fleck in an interview with 247sports.com recently.

If Morgan wins the Heisman Trophy in 2020, he would be the first person to win it from the University of Minnesota since Bruce Smith in 1941…

Now, let’s talk about All-Big Ten receiver Rashod Bateman. 

First of all, how in the heck did they leave him off the Heisman Trophy list? And not only that, but they took Purdue receiver Rondale Moore instead! Other wide-receivers drafted included Jaylen Waddle of Alabama, Ja’Marre Chase of LSU, and Justyn Ross of Clemson. I’m not saying those receivers aren’t worthy… but if any receiver is in this draft, Bateman needs to be one of them. And don’t take my word for it; these stats from Bateman in 2020 prove it:

And that was *with* Tyler Johnson and his 86 receptions opposite of him. Now imagine what Rashod can do when he’s the man. I know the article was just a projection, but, man, he should definitely be up there. 

All-in-all, to even have a Gopher mentioned in the same conversation as “Heisman” is incredible and definitely worth sharing. Kudos to you, P.J Fleck.

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Carson Ruen | Minnesota Sports Fan