Virginia Tech’s David Wilson is second in the nation in rushing yards with 1,185 and plays for a perennial national power. The junior has breakaway speed, a flashy wardrobe, an engaging personality and a 1978 Thunderbird. In short, Wilson is everything you want in a Heisman Trophy candidate — minus the support.
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On ESPN’s weekly “expert poll,” in which 13 candidates are mentioned, Wilson is nowhere to be found. He’s not even the leading Wilson. That distinction belongs to Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson despite back-to-back losses by the Badgers that should have sunk his candidacy.
When Virginia Tech (8-1, 4-1) faces Georgia Tech (7-2, 4-2) on Thursday night on ESPN, Wilson will have the stage to himself and a rare opportunity to get some Heisman traction.
What would it take? Maybe 200 yards rushing, a couple of long distance touchdowns, a few Yellow Jackets defenders grabbing the air and, of course, a Hokies win.
Is the Virginia Tech PR department at fault for dropping the ball on Wilson? Running back Ryan Williams started 2010 with some Heisman buzz, but it quickly evaporated with losses to Boise State and James Madison. The last Hokies player to make any kind of run at the Heisman was Michael Vick in 1998-99. The players he lost to — Ron Dayne (Wisconsin) and Chris Weinke (Florida State) — prove the award is more about team success than individual brilliance.
As for Thursday night, Virginia Tech-Georgia Tech is always big. Since the ACC split into divisions in 2005, the winner has captured the Coastal Division and advanced to the ACC title game.
– Kevin Dunleavy
