Jersey Native Pickett a Finalist for Heisman, Possible Top QB in 2022 NFL Draft

New Jersey native Kenny Pickett is looking to make a little history this weekend. The Oakhurst, New Jersey native, who played high school football at Ocean Township High school is a finalist for the Heisman Trophy following a stellar senior year at the University of Pittsburgh.

Should he win it, Pickett would be the fourth native of the Garden State to win the award, and first since Ron Dayne did it in 1999 according to NJ.com.

Pickett figures to have some stiff competition for the award with Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, Alabama quarterback Bryce Young, and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud also competing for college football's top individual award.

Ironically, Pittsburgh didn't garner much national recognition this season, despite their 11-2 record, but they were one of the better teams out of ACC, and will face Michigan State in the Peach Bowl later this month. At that time more people will get a chance to look at Pickett, who shattered Dan Marino's career touchdown record at Pitt. He also set the ACC record for touchdown passes in a single season with 42, breaking the mark previously held by Deshuan Watson.

In short, when a player's name gets thrown in there with an NFL legend in Marino, and a once promising NFL superstar like Watson, his draft stock is going to rise.

According to Pro Football Focus, Pickett could land with the Houston Texans as a replacement for Watson, who is still in the middle of a lengthy legal battle over sexual harassment allegations.

As per usual there figures to be a lot of teams at top the NFL Draft board looking to hit a home run at quarterback. The Detroit Lions, Texans, and New York Giants all come to mind.

Is Daniel Jones the long term answer for Big Blue? If not, and Pickett falls to them, the Giants could use one of their two first rounders on a new franchise QB.