Football is a game of precision, strategy and raw talent. Behind every pass, every run, and every touchdown is a massive amount of data and analysis. To better understand our ongoing question of who deserves the Heisman trophy and some of the controversy around it, I interviewed a colleague who is deeply involved in football analytics and recruitment. Ben Capozzola, 22, works as a data collector for Pro Football Focus (PFF) and holds a position as a team recruitment intern for the Oregon Ducks football program. Here’s a glimpse into his journey and insights on the intersection of analytics, recruitment and the Heisman Trophy race.
From Passion to Profession
When asked about his journey into football analytics and recruitment, he shared a story of persistence and networking. “I started actively searching for jobs in football during the summer and found PFF through TeamWork Online. I reached out to the hiring coordinator, introduced myself, and built a relationship. By August, I was offered a job,” he said. For his role with the Oregon Ducks, things came full circle at an event in his hometown of Bend, where he met the General Manager (GM) of the team. Maintaining that relationship, he eventually landed a position with the Ducks.
Analyzing the Game with Precision
One of the key elements of his role at PFF is evaluating college football players, especially in the context of the Heisman Trophy. “Big metrics include WAR (Wins Above Replacement), which shows how valuable a player is and how much they contribute to a team’s success,” he explained. But how does PFF ensure this data is accurate? According to him, the system is meticulous. “We grade every player on a scale of 0-2. It ensures that players are evaluated fairly, and there’s no room for bias in the process.”
The Heisman Trophy: A QB’s World
Despite the growing impact of non-quarterback players like Travis Hunter and Ashton Jeanty, who have garnered significant attention this season, Capozzola believes that quarterbacks will always dominate the Heisman race. “Heisman is a QB-led trophy, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. The quarterback is the most important position in football. Controlling the offense gives QBs an edge in winning the award,” he said. While he acknowledges the skills of non-QBs, he maintains that their performances are often overshadowed by the QB position’s leadership role, which I found particularly interesting.
He further explained that the Heisman evaluation process should incorporate non-QB positions more seriously. “Stats should matter more than popularity. Outstanding achievements by other positions should be considered more heavily,” he remarked.
The Role of Media in Player Evaluation
When discussing how media coverage impacts recruitment and the Heisman race, he highlighted the influence of NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) deals and popularity. “A player with more media coverage is likely to have more support from fans and, consequently, voters. Media attention can sway the decision-making process,” he explained. This connection between media coverage and recruitment is increasingly significant in today’s college football landscape, where NIL deals play a crucial role in attracting top talent.
Film, Data and Player Evaluation
For fans, there’s often a misunderstanding about the depth of analysis that goes into player evaluation. “Every snap of every player we’re looking at is accounted for. It’s not just about the highlights—it’s about analyzing every single play, good or bad,” he shared. This level of detail ensures that players are fully evaluated, and no performance goes unnoticed.
The Intersection of Analytics and Recruitment
When asked about the most fulfilling part of his role, he reflected on the impact of his work. “It’s fulfilling to know that my input directly influences decisions for our school and team. At the intersection of analytics and recruitment, I feel like I’m contributing to something bigger than myself,” he said, emphasizing the satisfaction of knowing his data insights contribute to real-world football decisions.
Final Thoughts
Lastly, I felt it was important to ask him the question we have all been asking ourselves the past 14 weeks about who he believes should win the Heisman trophy. “I think Travis Hunter will win, but I think it should be Jeanty. To me, it’s more impressive to break accolades that have been there since Barry Sanders’s time than to play both sides of the ball.”
With Capozzola’s perspective on the Heisman race, player recruitment and the role of analytics in shaping college football’s future, this interview sheds light on the complexity of football data evaluation and the significance of player performance beyond statistics. As we head into the final week of the regular season, we can expect the intersection of analytics and recruitment to continue shaping the Heisman race and the future of College Football.
Reece Judish 
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