The Stanford running back became the first non-Heisman Trophy winner to receive the honor in six years...
Running back Christian McCaffrey is The Associated Press college football player of the year. As the runner-up to Alabama's Derrick Henry in the Heisman Trophy voting, McCaffrey crushed in this contest, receiving 29 of 60 votes from the AP Top 25 media panel.
He becomes the first non-Heisman winner to receive the honor in six years, Ndamukong Suh won the award in 2009 for his play at defensive tackle while with Nebraska. He is also the first Cardinal to ever receive the award, and the first running back to win the award since USC's Reggie Bush in 2005—who is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in college football history.