The Heisman Trophy is really interesting dynamic. The trophy is usually set to go to the nations top player at any position, but to win the trophy, it takes a combination of circumstances, hype and performance. Rarely does a player come from nowhere to win the trophy, but often a player comes from nowhere to compete for the trophy.
In the end, it is always a player which has enough recognition that walks away from the trophy. Who can forget the year that Sam Bradford won the trophy. Sitting in the front were the top three candidates, Bradford, Tim Tebow (a previous winner) and Colt McCoy. All of those players were high profile quarterbacks for high profile schools.
So, with all that said, here are my top ten candidates to win the Heisman Trophy.
1. Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama–You have to start with the cham
p because he is the incumbent. It is his to lose. If he has a monster year, he will back on the podium.
2. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa–The Iowa defense was the strength of that team last year, and Clayborn will be tough to block this year. A defensive player often makes a case for the Hesiman Trophy. He might be this year’s Ndamukong Suh.
3. Ryan Mallett, QB, Arkansas–Mallett may be the highest profile quarterback from the highest profile school in the running. If he puts up great numbers, and the Hogs get double digit wins, he will be in the hunt.
4. Andy Dalton, QB, TCU–Dalton has already received some grassroots hype for the Heisman from the blog SpitbloodTCU. The school has yet to make their marketing official, but with attention given to Dalton by Phil Steele, Dalton will be on many watchlists from the beginning of the year.
5. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State–Moore has shown his worth the past two seasons for the Broncos, and this year, he is sure to not disappoint. He is 1-1 against Andy Dalton (TCU), and many will watch to see if there will be a rubber match this year.
6. Terrell Pryor, QB, Ohio State–I thought Pryor would be farther along by now, but the Buckeyes have brought him along slowly. I think he would be best in a balanced spread attack, but he has taken snaps from under center mostly. His size is scary, and if he can ever adjust to the passing game and trust instincts to run when he should, he just might be come very dangerous.
7. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State–Rodgers may get back to his pre-injury Freshman form, and if he does, he will create long days for Pac 10 opponents. He is hard to wrap up as he showed on national TV two years ago against USC.
8. Case Keenum, QB, Houston–Keenum will put up arcade type numbers which will get him noticed nationally. The key for Keenum will be if Houston can win the Conference USA and 10 or more wins. Their defense couldn’t keep up last year, and in the end, it cost the Cougars.
9. Julio Jones, WR, Alabama–Jones is a game changer. He has a chance to hurt opponents from many different angles as a receive and a returner. Without some of the spotlight, he may catch teams off guard.
10. Jeremy Kerley, WR, TCU–Kerley made dizzying runs on punt returns for the Horned Frogs last year. He will get opportunities because the TCU defense will get their share of stops to force punts. Further, if the Frogs use the “Wild Frog” more, he will get other touches to along with his receiving. Kerley is a highlight reel waiting to happen.
