Forget the rest, McAlister's the best

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Mike Jenkins

I know, I know, it is a little early to be campaigning for one of our own to win the Heisman Trophy, but the campaigns for Brock Huard, J.R. Redmond, Tim Couch, Ricky Williams, Michael Bishop and Cade McNown have already started. I just felt that our guy needed to get as much publicity as the others.

McAlister is a 6-1, 193-pound cornerback from Pasadena, Calif. He is the anchor to the Wildcats' defense and was named a preseason All-American by several publications. But cornerback is not all he plays. He has returned punts, kicks and played a limited role on offense as a wide receiver. Hey, does this sound familiar?

In his first game of the year against Hawaii, McAlister returned the opening kickoff of the season 100 yards for a touchdown. On the next offensive possession, he lined up at running back, caught a swing pass and gained close to 10 yards. He played outstanding defense, when Hawaii actually threw his way, which I might add was a minimal amount of times. This guy is for real.

Last week against Stanford, McAlister played well. He had five tackles, three passes broken up and an interception, but he critiqued his performance as one of the worst of his career. If this is his worst game of his career, be extremely happy. This was a great day for an average player. But McAlister is not average. Only a true warrior cracks on himself. The best players are the ones who are hard on themselves.

I know it was WAC doormat Hawaii and an average Stanford team, but if you look at last season, people feared McAlister. Teams don't throw his way very often, and when they do, they often pay. I remember the game against San Diego State last year. Arizona graduate Kelly Malveaux started in McAlister's place and he had to guard star receiver Az Hakim. Hakim scored two touchdowns and had almost 90 yards receiving in the blink of an eye. McAlister came in when the Wildcats were down 21-0 and shut down Hakim. Arizona won the game 31-28.

Now McAlister might not throw the ball for 300 or 400 yards a game like Couch, Huard or McNown. But if you actually look at the stats, my little brother Brian could throw for 300 yards if he played with a five receiver set and threw the ball 60 times a game like Couch or Huard. This is not deserving of a Heisman Trophy.

Williams plays in the Big 12, and other than Nebraska and Kansas State, everybody else sucks. I might be able to rush for 100 yards against Kansas or Iowa State. He doesn't deserve it either. Bishop is the quarterback for Kansas State. Look at their schedule, Northern Illinois, Indiana St. Who's next, DeVry or ITT Technical Institute? Impressive stats and easy schedule equals no Heisman.

Now Redmond and McNown play in the toughest conference in football, the Pac-10. Redmond goes to ASU. I kind of wonder how it feels when you get all of this preseason hype and you're out of the national title picture after one game, but that's another story. Redmond's team is now 0-2 and after a lackluster performance against BYU, 28 yards on 18 carries, he can kiss the Heisman good-bye.

McNown's team is very good and he is very skilled, but he usually doesn't win the big games. Just look at Tennessee and Washington State last year. Playing in the Pac-10 might put him in contention. But he'll lose sometime down the road, maybe against UA or Southern Cal, which will open the door for McAlister.

There is an old proverb that says offense wins games, but defense wins championships. I am a true believer in this philosophy. You can't win unless you stop the other team. We have the ultimate stopper this year in McAlister. If Arizona can win and get into the national spotlight, McAlister has as good a chance as anyone to win the award. Look no further Heisman voters. Forget the rest, McAlister's the best.

Sports reporter Mike Jenkins is a journalism sophomore. He can be reached via e-mail at Mike.Jenkins@

wildcat.arizona.edu.