|
July
15 , 2010
By
Todd Helmick
Site
Owner Todd Helmick maintains an Official Heisman
Vote
NationalChamps.net
2010 Top 25 Heisman List |
|
1.
RB Mark Ingram - Alabama
Class: Junior
Height: 5-10 Weight:
215
Hometown: Flint, MI |
|
Ingram
ended last season as the Heisman winner. Ergo, he
begins next season in the same position. His 1,658
rushing yards led all SEC players, as did his 20
touchdowns, 6.1 yards per carry and 32 receptions
for 334 yards. The 5'10, 215 pound Ingram is a load
to tackle. The first guy never brings him down as
evidenced by the fact that Ingram had an astonishing
1,075 yards after contact last season. He also has
the quick burst, speed and vision to take a run
into the end zone on every play he touches the ball.
He has excellent hands catching the pigskin out
of the backfield and picks up blitzes in pass protection
better than most. Ingram fumbled only one time in
303 touches last fall. Heisman winners almost always
play for teams with the best records. This obviously
bodes well for any Bama player. But winning a second
Heisman won't be easy mostly because of Trent Richardson,
the Tide's other supreme ball carrier who coaches
have claimed this spring that the team does not
miss a beat when he spells Ingram. There is some
serious offensive firepower in Tuscaloosa. Under
this facet alone, anyone not having Ingram at the
top of this early list is way off base. |
|
2.
RB Jacquizz Rodgers - Oregon State
Class: Junior
Height: 5-7 Weight:
191
Hometown: Richmond, TX |
|
Jacquizz
enters his junior year needing just 1,169 rushing
yards to move into second place on the Beavers
all-time rushing list. If he sticks around for
his senior year in 2011 he will push former USC
Heisman Trophy winner Charles White as the Pac
Ten's all-time rusher. Last year he also hauled
in 78 passes for 522 yards, which ranked second
in the conference for everyone, including receivers.
He has fumbled only once in 640 touches. With
those type of astounding numbers or better, it
would be hard to imagine that Jacquizz won't be
in the thick of this Heisman race, especially
if his Beavers remain a factor in the Pac Ten
race most of the season as expected. Rodgers will
need to put up big performances in the big games
and he will have two monster match ups in September
against top rated non-conference foes TCU and
Boise State on national television. If the Beavers
win one of those and Rodgers plays a major role,
he will have a legit shot at winning this award
regardless of whether OSU wins 10 games or not. |
|
3.
QB Case Keenum - Houston
Class: Senior
Height: 6-2 Weight:
210
Hometown: Abilene, TX |
|
The
long line of Cougar quarterbacks over the last 25
years is impressive. Move over Andre Ware, David
Klingler and Kevin Kolb. Case Keenum led the nation
with 5,671 yards passing last year, no other quarterback
threw for more than 4,300, and 44 touchdown passes.
He is the only quarterback in history other than
Texas Tech's Graham Harrell to have more than one
5,000-yard passing season. The fact that Conference
USA has not sent a single team to a BCS bowl in
its 14-year existence doesn't seem likely to have
one of their participants win a Heisman Trophy.
The league had its share with guys like Shaun King,
Dave Ragone and DeAngelo Williams but Keenum may
be the strongest candidate yet. Houston welcomes
back all three of last year's 1,000-yard receivers
and the numbers are only going to keep growing.
The wins are also likely to follow. With those types
of numbers and victories, Keenum could wind up as
an invite to the Heisman Ceremony at the least.
However the interceptions have also been mounting
as all the Cougars do is throw the ball, sometimes
to the point of being extremely one-dimensional.
Keenum won't win the award unless his team goes
undefeated. His stats will still dwarf everyone
else based on the offense he plays in and the skills
he has to work in this system. |
|
4.
QB Terrelle Pryor - Ohio State
Class: Junior
Height: 6-6 Weight:
233
Hometown: Jeannette, PA |
|
No
question, they hype coming out of high school continues
to carry Pryor. A career best Rose Bowl performance
last January moved his Heisman chess piece a bit
further after he threw for 266 yards, two touchdowns
and a 62.2 completion percentage. His overall passing
numbers on the season (11 interceptions and 56.6
completion percentage), and in his two-year collegiate
career, have been extremely sub par however. The
two games they lost last fall could have been prevented
if Pryor had played better. This season, Pryor is
considered by some to be the Heisman front-runner
in large part because of his performance in Pasadena.
He will have a strong supporting cast, which includes
one of the best offensive lines in the entire nation.
His feet are swift enough to deliver a shot at this
prestigious award. His improving passing skills
will be what all the voters will keep an eye on.
|
|
5.
RB Dion Lewis - Pittsburgh
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-8 Weight:
195
Hometown: Albany, NY |
|
This
swift 5'8 tailback has established a new standard
for freshmen in the Big East while compiling 1,799
rushing yards and 17 touchdowns becoming the first
conference player since Virginia Tech's Michael
Vick to earn both Offensive Player of the Year and
Rookie of the Year honors. Only the legendary Tony
Dorsett, who eclipsed 2,000 yards during his 1976
Heisman Trophy campaign, rushed for more yards in
a single season at Pitt. Just weeks before the season
opener last fall, coaches were not even sure who
the featured running back would be in this offense.
The lightly recruited Lewis was never a lock to
replace LeSean McCoy. But as the season progressed
it was plain to see that Lewis was a workhorse and
was set to be someone special. He brings quickness,
power and durability to a program poised to produce
a winner and thus, a player worthy of loft Heisman
status. |
|
6.
QB Kellen Moore - Boise State
Class: Junior
Height: 6-0 Weight:
187
Hometown: Prosser, WA |
|
Kellen
Moore is 26-1 as a two-year starter and finished
seventh in the Heisman race a year ago, the highest
finish ever for a Bronco player. What separates
Moore from the rest of the quarterbacks in this
race is his ability to read the field, an aspect
that can only be coached to a degree as evident
by Moore setting the NCAA single season record for
the lowest percentage of passes intercepted last
year. He also set the NCAA single season record
for Highest Percentage of Passes Completed by a
Freshman in 2008. Better runners and stronger arms
may be available across the country, but none possess
the ability to find the open receiver like Moore.
He has the Broncos in a Top 5 Preseason position
heading into 2010. The Labor Day opener versus Virginia
Tech will be one of the very few times the rest
of the nation will get to see Moore perform in the
television spotlight which will not bode well for
his Heisman chances. The schedule is just to light
and these factors will always come into question.
|
|
7.
RB LaMichael James - Oregon
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-9 Weight:
180
Hometown: Texarkana, TX |
|
James
set a Pac Ten freshman record with 1,546 yards rushing
lat fall. His whopping 6.7 yards per carry strike
even a bigger note because James may be the best
home-run hitter across the land. He led the nation
with 21 carries over 20 yards and maintains top
flight track speeds while running the 100 meter
and anchoring the 4x100 relay for the infamous Duck
track squad. His off-the-field squabble this past
spring led to a one-game suspension this coming
fall extending character issues as a haunting factor
for this program. He won't have the luxury of QB
Jeremiah Masoli (dismissed from the team) taking
some of the heat from defenses in this spread rushing
attack and he will have to compete with in-state
running back rival Jacquizz Rodgers from Oregon
State in terms of competing for west coast Heisman
votes. James does however possess the lightning
strike ability to go the distance on any given play
making him one of the most exciting Heisman prospects.
|
|
8.
QB Greg McElroy
Class: Senior
Height: 6-3 Weight:
225
Hometown: Southlake, TX |
|
In
his first year of starting, Greg McElroy led the
Crimson Tide to a perfect 14-0 record and a BCS
national championship. He was also an integral part
in dissecting the rival Florida Gators vaunted defense
while earning MVP honors in the SEC title game.
McElroy got better as the season progressed and
it is that progression combined with playing for
a championship team that puts McElroy on this individual
stage. He is a smart quarterback; the kind of player
behind center Alabama thrives on. He received the
Paul W. Bryant Award that is given to student-athletes
for their classroom and community achievements and
keeps his mistakes on the field to a bare minimum.
The Texas native tossed 17 touchdowns last fall
while only being picked off four times. McElroy
has not lost a game while starting at quarterback
since his eighth grade year and those types of numbers
won't change in 2010. The senior will now be expected
to do more than just be the quarterback who does
not make a mistake; he will now make winning plays.
As Alabama continues to win, their quarterback will
continue to be in this list. |
|
9.
RB DeMarco Murray - Oklahoma
Class: Senior
Height: 6-1 Weight:
207
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV |
|
Oklahoma
coach Bob Stoops says that his running back DeMarco
Murray is capable of putting up 1,900 rushing yards
in this his last season as a Sooner. Most of the
preseason prognosticators will agree that Murray
has all the skills to be one of the premier ball
carriers in 2010. So why has Murray been so far
off the Heisman radar in the past? First, he had
to share the carries with Chris Brown, who is now
departed from the line up. Both rushed for over
1,000 yards each in 2008. Murray did surpass 700
rushing yards in all three seasons at Oklahoma and
even hauled in 41 receptions last fall with four
pass catching touchdowns. Second, he has only missed
six games in his Sooner career but they have been
spotlight games, which include two Big 12 title
games, a Fiesta Bowl and a BCS national championship
game. When searching for a top Heisman contender
that no one might see coming, Murray may be the
man. |
|
10.
QB Jake Locker - Washington
Class: Senior
Height: 6-3 Weight:
226
Hometown: Ferndale, WA |
|
ESPN
draft analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. has labeled Jake Locker
the top pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Locker enters
his senior year as the school's all-time leading
quarterback rusher. He is also a two-time Major
League Baseball draftee with the Angels of Anaheim.
He shares the same physique as Tim Tebow (6-3, 226
lbs.) and the knock on Locker, much like Tebow,
is that his passing accuracy is a big question mark.
With a meager 58.2 completion percentage in 2009,
Locker knows he will continue to be judged by this
stat. Locker's numbers will get better simply because
the people surrounding him are getting better. With
eight starters back on offense and two years now
to be comfortable in head coach Steve Sarkisian's
pro-style offense, this will be the best team Washington
has fielded since Locker arrived. Since being named
Pac Ten Freshman of The Year in 2007, the hype has
continued to grow for Jake. But the wins have not
and until Washington figures out a way to push for
eight or nine victories the Heisman cause for Locker
will be too far of a ladder to climb. |
|
11.
QB Ryan Mallett - Arkansas
Class: Junior
Height: 6-7 Weight:
238
Hometown: Texarkana, AR |
|
Ryan
Mallett has one of the strongest arms in all of
college football. The word on the college football
street is that nobody throws a better deep ball
than Mallett. He is the only quarterback from a
BCS conference returning that finished in the Top
10 in pass efficiency. Last fall he broke or tied
16 different Arkansas school records. He also led
the SEC in touchdown passes, passing yards per game
and total offense. Mallett stands at a towering
6'6 and has excelled in Bobby Petrino's offensive
system. The head coach has raved about Mallett’s
feel for the offense, and he should be even better
in that department next season, in particular when
it comes to spreading the ball around to his deep
stable of playmakers. And this is a big difference
to Razorback fans, which are used to seeing QBs
in the game for handing the ball off. There appears
to be something worth getting excited about offensively
in Fayetteville. The Heisman voters too, can be
just as excited. |
|
12.
QB Andy Dalton - TCU
Class: Senior
Height: 6-3 Weight:
220
Hometown: Katy, TX |
|
Andy
Dalton returns for his fourth season as a starter,
and does so as the winningest active quarterback
in the nation. He is the reigning Mountain West
Offensive Player of The Year and his 29 victories
are also tied for the most in TCU history with Sammy
Baugh, the godfather of the modern passing game.
Dalton may not put up spectacular numbers...his
touchdown-to-interception ration (23:8), total passing
yards (2,756) and rushing yards (512) are better
than average, but not Heisman-like. But this team
wins with Dalton behind center as his ultimate leadership
has been proven. He can beat you with his arm or
his feet when required and much more will now be
expected out of the in-state senior from Katy. This
is really a long shot that Dalton could actually
win the Heisman Trophy based purely on stats and
the way TCU operates in a team environment. Another
undefeated regular season though will continue to
open voting opportunities. |
|
13.
QB Joshua Nesbitt - Georgia Tech
Class: Senior
Height: 6-1 Weight:
217
Hometown: Greensboro, GA |
|
One
of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation;
Nesbitt is what makes this Tech triple-option offense
roll. This was the second best rushing team in all
of college football last fall and as head coach
Paul Johnson put it when Nesbitt was playing on
an injured ankle, "I am only concerned about
the mental health of my quarterbacks." The
simple fact is that it takes a different breed (intelligence)
to work the option and Nesbitt has nailed it. The
First Team All-ACC selection has rushed for more
than 2,000 career yards. The difficulty for Nesbitt
in this type of individual honors race is that his
passing numbers are far inferior to the players
he competes against statistically. He no longer
has receiver Demaryius Thomas as a one man show
catching overthrown passes and his offensive line
goes through a significant turnover. But that is
how Paul Johnson teams roll...big player turnover
and a system that can play with anyone. If the Heisman
were based on the best field general, Nesbitt would
be the winner. He could easily wind up the ACC MVP.
|
|
14.
RB Noel Devine - West Virginia
Class: Senior
Height: 5-8 Weight:
180
Hometown: Ft. Myers, FL |
|
There
may be no player more capable of producing a spectacular
play at any one moment than Noel Devine, who had
seven runs of 50 or more yards last season, including
three for touchdowns. He can go the distance on
any play. Don't go to the concession stands when
WVU has the ball or you might miss something unforgettable
like his 88-yard touchdown run against Pitt. Devine
has also become a workhorse, battling through a
few injuries he still managed to put up nearly 1,500
yards rushing. Head coach Bill Stewart has already
promised to continue getting him the ball more and
who can blame him? He is a two-time All-Big East
selection and has 3,381 rushing yards in his career.
His downfall in the Heisman race is that he now
seems to be playing Big East second fiddle behind
Backyard rival Dion Lewis at Pitt. Devine has been
producing ever since he arrived in Morgantown so
his consistency should carry some weight. He will
need to out rush Lewis and WVU will need to win
11 games before a shot at winning the Heisman can
be reality. |
|
15.
RB Ryan Williams - Virginia Tech
Class: Sophomore
Height: 5-10 Weight:
211
Hometown: Manassas, VA |
|
Williams
became the first freshman in ACC history to lead
the league in both rushing and scoring. He managed
to rack up ten 100-yard rushing performances, which
also tied the ACC record. Everyone believes his
best days are obviously in front of Williams and
if he is far from reaching his peak, opponents should
be quite worried. He gave a struggling Hokie offense
a huge boost last fall after stepping in for 1,000-yard
rusher Darren Evans after Evans went down during
preseason workouts. Williams has an electric personality
to match his nimble feet. Many feel he could be
the best running back in all of college football
before his Blacksburg days are done. Tech will get
Evans back to help keep Williams’ legs fresh
but this could also keep his amazing stats lower
when compared to 2009. Do not be surprised if Williams
maintains his pace that he gets an invite to the
Heisman ceremony. |
|
16.
RB Daniel Thomas - Kansas State
Class: Senior
Height: 6-2 Weight:
228
Hometown: Hilliard, FL |
|
The
Big 12 Offensive Newcomer of the Year burst onto
the scene in 2009 and led the conference in rushing.
The JUCO transfer is hardly a Cinderella story.
The former quarterback was originally a Florida
commit before having to enroll in junior college
where he was an All-American. His ideal size (6'2,
228) is a perfect fit for the NFL. He can also catch
passes out of the backfield. What is most notable
is that Thomas put up staggering numbers with little
help from his teammates. The best news is that four
of his blockers return this fall and longtime head
coach Bill Snyder knows how to teach fundamentals.
Thomas may not win a Heisman unless he helps the
Cats into a North Division crown with a substantial
won-loss record, but he will play at the next level.
|
|
17.
RB John Clay - Wisconsin
Class: Junior
Height: 6-1 Weight:
248
Hometown: Racine, WI |
|
Ron
Dayne, Michael Bennett, Anthony Davis, Brian Calhoun,
P.J. Hill...when does the line of great college
running backs ever end for Wisconsin? The long-standing
tradition won't end any time soon with John Clay
in the backfield. Both the league coaches and the
media voted Clay as the Offensive POTY in 2009.
While other running backs across the country were
reeling in post-season awards, nominating committees
everywhere forgot about the nearly 1,400 rushing
yards of the then-sophomore sensation. As an added
bonus for the upcoming season, the blockers responsible
for paving the way are all back in fold, every one
of them including two All-Americans, as are his
QB and receivers. Clay is a downhill runner and
knows how to use his blocks and steamroll defenders.
Big things are expected out of Madison in 2010 and
Clay for Heisman is not far-fetched in the least.
|
|
18.
QB Colin Kaepernick - Nevada
Class: Senior
Height: 6-6 Weight:
220
Hometown: Turlock, CA |
|
One
of the most dynamic players in the country will
enter his fourth season as the starter at Nevada
where coach Chris Ault's prolific Pistol offense
has made Colin Kaepernick the stuff legends are
made of. He has thrown for at least 2,000 yards
in each of his first three seasons. He has 7,076
career passing yards with 61 touchdowns to just
16 interceptions. He is also coming off back-to-back
1,000 yard rushing campaigns. He needs to become
a much more efficient passer and his Wolf Pack team
needs to upset the likes of conference bully Boise
State before he gets any serious consideration for
such a national honor. Face it; Nevada isn't the
most televised team, especially from an east coast
or BCS-league perspective. If the Heisman race has
anything to do with merit however, Kaepernick makes
this list easily. |
|
19.
RB Evan Royster - Penn State
Class: Senior
Height: 6-1 Weight:
213
Hometown: Fairfax, VA |
|
Evan
Royster has been ever so consistent the past two
years while racking up 2,405 yards rushing and 18
touchdowns. His career 6.1 yards-per-carry is extremely
impressive for a guy who has been in the key role
the past three seasons. Most do not realize that
he is only 481 rushing yards short of breaking Curt
Warner's record and becoming Penn State’s
all-time leading rusher. Thus far he may not have
received the deserved recognition based on the fact
that coaches at PSU never really used Royster as
the key player the offense revolves around. But
that aspect will change this year. Especially considering
the new quarterback issues that must be addressed.
As the featured back, Royster will be in much better
position to challenge for post-season honors, including
the Heisman Trophy should his Nittany Lion team
stay in contention for the Rose Bowl. |
|
20.
DT Jared Crick - Nebraska
Class: Junior
Height: 6-6 Weight:
285
Hometown: Cozad, NE |
|
Crick
spent his 2009 season comfortably nestled in the
shadow of one-man wrecking Ndamukong Suh, who did
no favors for Crick's anonymity when he dubbed Crick
"the next Suh" after the Huskers 33-0
beat down of Arizona in the Holiday Bowl. In reality,
Crick was not that far off from Suh's monstrous
Heisman like defensive production on paper. He was
second on the team in sacks (9.5) and tackles for
loss (12.5), racked up 73 total tackles to Suh's
85, was credited with 14 quarterback hurries, blocked
a field goal and joined Suh as a first-team All-Big
12 pick by conference coaches. What does stand out
is Crick's ability to get to the quarterback as
a 6'6, 290-pound tackle. He set a school record
with a five-sack afternoon at Baylor. Crick can
be enough of a disruptive presence to keep a defensive
lineman in this Heisman race again. |
|
21.
WR James Rodgers - Oregon State
Class: Senior
Height: 5-7 Weight:
188
Hometown: Richmond, TX |
|
Placing
a receiver in the Heisman race can be tough. It's
almost as if the receiver has to at least play some
defense (a.k.a. former Heisman winner Charles Woodson)
or be a special teams guru. Despite his 5'7 frame,
James Rodgers (brother of running back Jacquizz)
is the best returning receiver in the Pac Ten. He
is more of a weapon than his outstanding stats might
tell, frustrating defenses as a runner, receiver
or return specialist. His 91 receptions broke the
single season school record last fall. But he is
also a threat to run on the fly sweep (58 rushes
for 303 yards) and he has the second-highest total
of all-purpose yards (rushing, receiving, punt returns,
kick returns, interception returns) among active
players entering 2010 with 5,077. If a receiver
needs more than just catching passes to win the
Heisman, James Rodgers is Mr. Everything 2010. |
|
22.
WR Ryan Broyles - Oklahoma
Class: Junior
Height: 5-11 Weight:
183
Hometown: Norman, OK |
|
Again,
a receiver has to do more than catch passes to earn
votes on this ballot. Making the case for Broyles...he
led the Big 12 in touchdowns and was in the top
five in receptions and receiving yards. But he also
averages a Big 12 best 15.9 yards on punt returns,
nearly three yards better than the next-best. Not
many people will argue that Broyles may be the most
electrifying player in the conference with the ball
in his hands. He also is a work out warrior benching
310 pounds, which is quite amazing for a guy that
weighs in at only 178 pounds. With a maturing quarterback
in Landry Jones his numbers are only going to grow,
making him worthy of All-American status. He makes
this Top 25 list based on his unique ball skills
and ability to dazzle while dodging tacklers. |
|
23.
QB Jerrod Johnson - Texas A&M
Class: Senior
Height: 6-5 Weight:
243
Hometown: Humble, TX |
|
The
overall preseason sentiments floating around are
that Jerrod Johnson is the best QB in the Big 12
for this coming fall if not the best player at any
position. The past three or four Big 12 seasons,
such a statement usually equates to some monstrous
abilities and stats. If you watched the Aggies lose
a close 39-49 battle to rival Texas on Thanksgiving
night, it's easy to spot that A&M has some serious
offensive firepower with Johnson behind center.
The former high school basketball standout hit on
26 of 33 attempts for 342 yards and four touchdowns.
He also ran for 97 more yards. The 6'5 blazer tossed
a league-high 30 touchdown receptions last year
and already holds eight single-season school records
including passing yards, touchdowns and total offense.
His Heisman problem: Texas A&M has not finished
a season ranked in the final top 25 since 1999.
|
|
24.
WR A.J. Green - Georgia
Class: Junior
Height: 6-4 Weight:
205
Hometown: Summerville, SC |
|
While
A.J. Green may be one of the best three players
at any position in the entire SEC, a rash of injuries
like last year won't help a receiver sniff the Heisman
trophy. Before the injuries, the 6'4 receiver was
nearly unstoppable the first two months of 2009.
Green appears to be in full health now and according
to NFL scouts there just are not many receivers
with Green's combination of size, speed and leaping
ability. A former basketball star in high school,
he is exceptional at going up among defenders to
catch the ball. He was a First Team All-SEC selection
in each of the past two seasons and is probably
one of the favorites to win the Biletnikoff Award
as the nation's top receiver. He does not return
kicks or punts, but what has to land him on this
list is the fact that he can change a game at any
moment. He is such an explosive player. |
|
25.
RB Donald Buckram - UTEP
Class: Senior
Height: 5-10 Weight:
195
Hometown: Copperas Cove,
TX |
|
Donald
Buckram turned in the greatest statistical rushing
season in UTEP's school history. He reached 1,594
yards and mounted a serious challenge for the national
rushing title before an injury limited him in the
final game of the season. Those totals arrived thanks
to a trio of 200-plus yard games, only matched by
Stanford's Toby Gerhart last season. During one
of those 200-plus yard games, he also hauled in
over 100 yards receiving (versus Tulane), becoming
only the fourth player in NCAA history to accomplish
such a feat. A few non-BCS aligned conference teams
are starting to make some noise in terms of winning
games and competing on a higher level. The Miners
are not on such a pedestal, but Buckram is one of
those unique talents that blow people away with
mind-boggling numbers and feats. |
|