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PROVO — BYU quarterback Zach Wilson may still be in the Heisman Trophy conversation, but he won't be going to New York City this year.
The trophy awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football will be presented Jan. 5, but with a virtual ceremony instead of the crowd-gathering gala of former champions in New York.
The finalists for the trophy will be announced Dec. 24, the Heisman Trust announced Saturday on ESPN. The deadline for voters to submit their ballots was also moved to Dec. 21, two days after the currently scheduled conference championship games.
Originally, ballots were due much earlier for the award that was scheduled to be handed out Dec. 12. That's also the date of BYU's currently scheduled season finale at home against San Diego State, the latest home game in BYU football history.
Wilson has completed 75.1% of his passes for 2,512 yards and 22 touchdowns with just two interceptions, while adding 158 yards and eight scores on the ground in leading the Cougars to their first 8-0 start since 2001. ESPN projects BYU with an 89% chance to finish the regular season at 10-0.
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones is currently among the frontrunners for the Heisman Trophy, along with Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State's Justin Fields and Florida's Kyle Trask. ESPN rates Wilson with 25-1 odds to win the trophy.
"We want Zach to win the Heisman," BYU freshman Isaac Rex said of Wilson's Heisman campaign, which the Cougars launched with a social media hashtag #W1LSONHE1SMAN. "We believe he's the best quarterback in the nation and should be a first-round pick when he decides to declare. He's the real deal, so Wilson for Heisman all day."
The Tuesday night presentation will originate from ESPN's studios in Bristol, Connecticut, with finalists appearing via satellite, the network announced.
The Worldwide Leader in Sports also announced it would continue to broadcast the annual end-of-season gala under a new multiyear agreement. ESPN has been the home of the Heisman ceremony for 27-straight years.
Contributing: Associated Press
