‘Even without this I would still be happy.’ TCU’s Max Duggan reflects on being Heisman finalist

The moment still feels surreal for TCU quarterback Max Duggan.

Everyone who gets into the game of football likely envisions themselves being a Heisman Trophy winner or finalist. It’s one of the desires that drives kids to play their first game of flag football or to throw on a set of shoulder pads.

Duggan, who called himself a college football nerd, watched Robert Griffin III, Eric Crouch and Jameis Winston win the Heisman Trophy, and those moments stuck with him.

With Duggan officially being announced as a finalist for the most prestigious award in college football, life has come full circle for the senior quarterback.

“It’s a dream come true,” Duggan said. “It’s something as a little kid you wish while watching the Heisman ceremony that you can be up there one day.”

Duggan’s journey to being one of the four finalists for the Heisman included far more adversity than the likes of Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, USC quarterback Caleb Williams and even Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett, who was originally a walk-on.

Williams and Stroud were five-star recruits and experienced immediate success while Bennett played with one of the most loaded rosters of all-time.

Duggan’s experience the last few years was the opposite. Those trials were one of the first things that came to his mind while reflecting on the moment.

“The dark days of the last three years or last four years,” Duggan said. “Losing football games, getting a new coaching staff. But a lot of guys around me have helped me, a lot of people in my circle have helped me. I’m grateful for all those people.”

Before Duggan spoke the media on Tuesday, TCU chancellor Victor Boschini called Duggan one of the most selfless star athletes he’s been around.

Duggan isn’t just happy because he’s a finalist for the award, he’s also thrilled for the impact it’ll have on TCU and the community at large.

“It’s a huge honor,” Duggan said. “Especially for me, my family, this team and TCU. Just to get this opportunity to go there and put TCU on the national platform for a lot of people to see our story, our program, our school down in Fort Worth.”

While many will focus on Duggan’s story of going from a backup quarterback to starter to Heisman Trophy finalist, Duggan says the real story is the support he’s gotten from his teammates and the university.

“I think it kind of gets lost in all these awards, that football is a team sport,” Duggan said. “There’s not just one guy pulling the trigger. But this shows everything else. The guys in this locker room that I get to play with, the coaching staff and the support the university has given us. It’s going to be good for all the guys that don’t really get recognized.”

Asked why he should win the Heisman, Duggan declined to campaign for himself and just wanted to be appreciative of the moment.

“I think it’s a great award. Just being able to get recognized and being able to have that opportunity to win this award means a lot,” Duggan said. “I’m just fortunate to be in this position right now.”

It’s hard for Duggan to feel a sense of entitlement to win the award because he understands how special it is for him to even be in the running.

It took an injury to Chandler Morris in the season opener to give him this chance, and he made the most of it with one of the most productive seasons in school history.

Being a finalist for the Heisman was just the last sign of confirmation that he made the right decision to remain at TCU, the school he loves with so much passion.

“I don’t know what I would’ve said to you if you said this is where I was going to end up at,” Duggan said. “But I think that’s what happens when you stay the course, stay at a place you love and continue to work hard and be surrounded by great people. Even without this I would still be happy as I am today, whether I was playing or not.”

His happiness and legacy is secure at TCU is secure. As he prepares to head to Baltimore to accept the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and then New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation, individual awards won’t be the first thing on his mind.

Duggan was asked if he’d take an iPad with Michigan film on his journey. His answer was what many have come to expect from the Horned Frogs’ selfless leader.

“Yeah, we’ll be watching, because there are bigger fish to fry out there,” Duggan said.