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Troy Smith hints that he'll vote for Ohio State's J.T. Barrett to win Heisman

Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett has a major name in his corner on his quest to winning the Heisman Trophy.

Troy Smith, winner of the 2006 Heisman as a member of the Buckeyes, discreetly expressed his support for the freshman pivot, according to Austin Ward of ESPN.com.

I have a tremendous amount of respect for that process and have an understanding of what it takes to win the Heisman Trophy, and I think it shouldn’t be awarded until the last game of whoever is in the standings or whichever candidates are playing, because you never know who is going to have that breakout moment. There is great talent across the nation, but I’m definitely biased toward some of the guys who have worn the scarlet and grey if they are up there. 

But you didn’t hear that from me.

Smith continued to marvel over the season the current Buckeyes quarterback is having. 

Oh yeah, I think he should be in everybody’s mind. Statistically, the things that he’s doing, obviously numbers don’t lie. (Offensive coordinator) Tom Herman and our offensive staff are putting him and other guys in positions to make plays, and J.T. is doing nothing but capitalizing on every single chance and opportunity. As a freshman, he’s doing some things that it took me an ample amount of years to grasp and have an understanding about. 

Obviously we’ve had a chance to see the transformation and the growth behind J.T. Barrett this whole season, and I’m pretty much blown away. 

The Heisman is awarded to college football's most outstanding player. Smith, like all previous winners, is entitled to a single vote, along with 870 from media members and one from the general public. 

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