You can look at everything from pre-Heisman to post-Heisman, and I think that's why it ranks up at the top, because before then, I didn't even think I was good enough to be a professional ballplayer.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
My biggest frustration with the Heisman is it's become the MVP of the national champion, or a team going to the National Championship game. That's what it's turned into. If you're not undefeated, you're out of the running.
The Heisman attention has definitely been a little bit of a surprise. It's been out of my hands. It's something I'm not focused on. I'm focused on the season and trying to win as many games as possible.
I was a defensive lineman coming out of high school who was considered amongst the top... maybe the top six guys, top five guys, and wanted to prove to my team that I was going to be a top guy going into college.
At USC, if you're running back there, and you do gain you over 1,500 yards, people see you as a candidate, but not one of the top ones.
It's always hard - if you're not the best player on your team, how can you be the best player in college?
I think if you're a good high school player that you have the ability to be a good college football player. If you're a good college football then you have the ability to be a great NFL player.
On the field, I went from an anonymous redshirt to a short-yardage specialist to a Heisman Trophy candidate. Off the field, I showed up as a wild kid and grew up.
Individual goals never meant that much to me. The Heisman is no exception.
You don't have to follow what most players do by going to the top school. You can do anything at any school you're at, as long as you're focused and you work hard.
Never live with someone that won the Heisman.