Inside The Twitterbag: Is Eric Dungey A Legit Heisman Contender?

Every week we reach “Inside The Twitterbag” for a question for our staff to dissect. Is Eric Dungey a legit Heisman contender?

Zachary Weisleder- Contributor

Follow: @ZachWeisleder

"“Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey is entering his junior year for the Syracuse Orange, and if he remains healthy, he could easily become a contender for the Heisman Trophy. Last season, Dungey only played nine games due to injury.While healthy, Dungey was compared to the top quarterbacks in the entire country when it came to early season Heisman Award predictions.In his first season under head coach Dino Babers, Dungey averaged 297.7 passing yards per contest and 32.6 rushing yards per game. Through just nine games, Dungey compiled 2,679 passing yards, rushed nearly 300 yards, and had a combined 21 touchdowns.” Via Arm Chair All-Americans"

Paul Esden Jr.- Site Expert

Follow: @BoyGreen25

I understand this may be a crazy notion. But we’ve never seen a fully healthy Eric Dungey. We’ve seen two incomplete campaigns. A healthy Dungey leading the Orange is the new fast movement equals video game numbers.

Although as we’ve seen in the past, it’s going to take more than just numbers to win the Heisman trophy. Realistically it’s like the MVP conversation in the NFL. You usually have to be on a winning program to be up for consideration. But winning for the Orange could be around 8 wins, if Dungey does that with the stats, I could see the Orange having their second Heisman trophy winner in history.

To check out the rest of my opinion on the subject you can check it out below:

Next: Syracuse Football: Is Eric Dungey A Legitimate Heisman Contender?

Neil Adler- Contributor

Eric Dungey is a legit Heisman Trophy contender, in my opinion. Yet, at the same time, he isn’t. Here’s why: from a pure numbers standpoint, I have no doubt that Dungey can generate some ridiculous stats this coming season, given the high-octane Dino Babers offense.

However, for Dungey to really prove a legit Heisman contender, his team needs to have a solid record, if not a spectacular one. I’m not a college football historian, but I assume many past Heisman winners have led their squads to shiny records and bowl-game triumphs. Will Syracuse do that in the upcoming campaign? My heart hopes yes, but my head says no. Only time will tell!

Josh Peelman- Contributor

Follow: @jnpmessenger

As much as I love Eric Dungey and his play, he’s not even close to being a contender currently. However, I think it’s possible with certain conditions being met.

One thing he would need is for Syracuse to probably have a winning season for him to have any case, which seems unlikely (though I’m very optimistic they will). It hasn’t happened often in the last decade or so, so hopefully things change.

Second, he would have to captivate the nation with highlights against the best teams, much like Lamar Jackson did last year at Louisville. So far Dungey hasn’t played well against the best teams in the ACC and in the non-conference, but he’s got time to change that. If he can do that he stands a chance to at least enter the conversation, but probably not win the Heisman.

Lastly, his numbers would have to be incredible. Considering the system Dino Babers employs that’s very possible. So Dungey has everything he needs to be in a position to win the Heisman, but he would have to help Syracuse meet the other expectations. If he does that he stands a chance to be in the conversation.

Paul A. Esden Sr.- Contributor

So the leader of ITLH posed a question to me.  

"“Is Eric Dungey a legitimate Heisman candidate?”"

For those that follow my column you know my answer… Are you kidding me?

If not for a season cut short by injury, he essentially played in eight games, he would have been sitting in the Downtown Athletic Club last December.  Speaking of last December I’ll put you to the test of some stats and facts and you pick last year’s Heisman winner.

Candidate #1

Completion percentage 64.8%, average yards passing per game 335.  

Candidate #2

Completion percentage 56.2%, average yards passing per game 272.

A healthy Eric Dungey running the Orange is the New Fast offense should be a front runner to strike a pose at the end of the 2017 Campaign.

Finally we take a look at what you the fans had to say about this week’s topic!

Well, ladies and gents, that wraps up this edition of Inside The Twitterbag. Come back next week for another Roundtable discussion from Inside The Loud House.