We are two months away from the 2024 college football season, but things are already starting to get interesting in the Heisman trophy conversation. On Sunday, June 30th, it was reported that the 2023 Doak Walker Award winner, Ollie Gordon, was arrested on suspicion of DUI and speeding.
Ollie Gordon Was Caught Speeding with Alcohol in the Vehicle
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Ollie Gordon was arrested on charges of a DUI. (Getty Images).
According to the report released by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Gordon was found speeding at 82 mph in a 65 and had alcohol in the vehicle. The entire report reads as follows:
“Oklahoma Highway Patrol says Gordon was pulled over on Interstate 35 south of Oklahoma City after a trooper says Gordon was going 82 in a 65 and swerving through traffic.
A probable cause affidavit says the trooper who pulled Gordon over spotted a half-full bottle of vodka and a half-full bottle of tequila.
OHP says Gordon had a blood alcohol content of .11 and .10 when he was tested at jail.”
The legal limit in Oklahoma is 0.08%.
Ollie Gordon Is a Preseason College Football Heisman Trophy Hopeful
Last season, Ollie Gordon won the Doak Walker Award, given to the best running back in college football, after recording 1,732 yards, averaging 6.1 yards per rush. He scored 21 touchdowns on the ground as well as added 550 receiving yards on 39 catches and a touchdown. He did all of this while being the secondary running back for the season’s first three games.
This season, Gordon is considered one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. After a strong quarterback class last year, this year appears to be the season where a non-quarterback could win the award.
According to Bet MGM, Gordon’s odds to win the Heisman are -4000, which is tied for 20th in the country. Although that feels super low, it is worth mentioning that Gordon is the first non-QB on the list, and preseason lists always favor QBs since betters are drawn to that position.
However, if the QBs struggle this year, Gordon has a good chance of returning the trophy to the RB position. A running back hasn’t won the award since 2015 when Alabama’s Derrick Henry won the award.
https://x.com/JCooperTV/status/1807952721699320232
Will Oklahoma State Suspend Gordon?
![2024 College Football Heisman Trophy Candidate Arrested - Could it Lead to Suspension? 3 Ollie Gordon, Big 12, DUI](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/USATSI_22173540_168400545_lowres-1024x683.webp)
Any award or trophy is based primarily and technically only on performance on the field; however, voters are also human, and off-the-field issues do play at least a bit of a factor, even if unintentional. With that already potentially hurting his Heisman stock, the next question is whether Mike Gundy and Oklahoma State will suspend Gordon for any time.
A suspension would all but end Gordon’s Heisman chances. For him to win the award, he will probably have to put up godly numbers such as 2,000 yards rushing, 30 touchdowns, and another solid receiving stat line. In order to do that, it would probably help to put up 150+ yards in the opening game against South Dakota.
But will Oklahoma State suspend him?
In all likliehood no. Last year, Trey Rucker, who played safety, was arrested for a DUI during the season following a loss to Iowa State. He was suited up to play the next game, despite it being his second DUI charge.
However, Gordon is different. Gordon is talked about, and the spotlight is on him. Sometimes, when there is a bigger spotlight, the consequences are greater. It’s also possible that Gundy will suspend Gordon for the first game of the season since they probably won’t need his services to take care of the Jackrabbits.