Peterson and the Heisman: What will happen if Oklahoma star running back Adrian Peterson, who is a freshman, wins the Heisman trophy? Specifically, what happens to the NFL's attempts to keep college underclassmen from entering the professional draft? After his poor showing this weekend, this topic may be less relevant, but it could come up, even if not this season. In fact, Mike Williams came very close to winning the trophy last year.



One of the NFL's key arguments is that the rule protects younger players, whose bodies are not as developed, from potential injury in the professional realm. However, if a player can win the Heisman trophy against many of the same players that will be turning pro the following year, can the NFL make this argument with a straight face? I would think no.



In my opinion, though, the NFL losing this argument does not have a great deal of relevance on its case. So long as the rule remains in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the NFL can use established antitrust law to keep the rule. However, if antitrust law were to change, or even to become weaker, the NFL may have to rely more heavily on its other arguments such as player safety. This could make a freshman Heisman winner fatal to the NFL's rule.



Luckily for the NFL, the Heisman voters seem hell-bent on keeping the prize out of anyone's hands that is not a junior or senior (or for that matter, anyone who is not a QB or RB). But if the honor is ever given to the legitimately best player in college, regardless of age or position, it could have a much more dramatic effect on all of football.

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