January 25, 2011
By Todd Helmick

Site Owner Todd Helmick maintains an Official Heisman Vote

NationalChamps.net 2011 Top 25 Heisman List

1. QB Andrew Luck - Stanford
Class:
Junior
Height: 6'4 Weight: 235
Hometown: Houston, TX
Once Andrew Luck decided to pass up a $30 million opportunity to become the overall No. 1 pick by the Carolina Panthers in April’s NFL Draft, the "still only going to be a redshirt junior" quarterback became the top Heisman contender for next season. Already a Heisman finalist from 2010, Luck enjoys the college life and wishes to earn a degree. Kudos to Luck for telling the ESPN pundits who like to believe the NFL and their impending year round Draft coverage is the best game in town really is not. No one is quite sure if Stanford can duplicate another impressive 12-1 type of campaign given the personnel/coaching losses but this is by far the best QB in college football - at least from a pro draft ability standpoint.
2. RB LaMichael James - Oregon
Class:
Junior
Height: 5'9 Weight: 185
Hometown: Texarkana, TX

James will continue to put up monster numbers in this quick strike prolific Duck offense. That much head coach Chip Kelly will assure. There is not another running back at this juncture that carries the Heisman weight of this 2010 finalist. The running back list is very short at the top. In fact, James is a shoe-in to at least be back at the Heisman ceremony barring injury.

3. QB Kellen Moore - Boise State
Class:
Senior
Height: 6'0 Weight: 191
Hometown: Prosser, WA
If the same trends continue, Moore will leave college football as the most efficient passer in the history of the sport. After being the first Boise State player to ever be invited to the Heisman ceremony, he is a likely candidate to repeat that individual effort as the last three years of consistency in this program have demonstrated. As a team, the Broncos will again contend for Top 5 position in all the polls with Moore back behind center. This aspect alone makes his case that more plausible.
4. QB Denard Robinson - Michigan
Class:
Junior
Height: 6'0 Weight: 193
Hometown: Deerfield Beach, FL
The nation's fourth leading rusher is a monster behind center…at least in the Rich Rodriguez offensive system. How will new head coach Brady Hoke utilize Robinson? Don't underestimate the junior's arm; he can throw it too if that is Hoke’s pleasure. There are not too many quarterbacks on the Michigan roster that can boast Robinson's skills so expect him to continue doing what he does best. This will be an interesting spring in Ann Arbor as fans wait to see what Hoke has in store and what changes he might make for his QB.
5. QB Darron Thomas - Oregon
Class:
Junior
Height: 6'3 Weight: 212
Hometown: Houston, TX
Oregon is a major, major threat with both LaMichael James and Darron Thomas in this backfield. This is not a case though like Alabama had last fall where former reigning Heisman winner Mark Ingram had to share the carries with Trent Richardson. Thomas and James play different positions. Thomas runs the spread option better than anyone, making split decisions that could carry the Ducks into another BCS National Championship appearance. Assuming the Ducks continue their offensive onslaught and winning ways, both James and Thomas could be finalists for this award.
6. QB Landry Jones - Oklahoma
Class:
Junior
Height: 6'4 Weight: 219
Hometown: Artesia, NM
Whether measured by completions or passing yards, Landry Jones was the nation's second best passer in 2010. With all of his offensive weapons set to return in Norman and OU expected to start the season out at the No. 1 spot in all the polls, Jones is easily the top newcomer to this Heisman discussion. Bob Stoops’ offense is a perfect fit for Jones, or vice-versa. Either way the Sooners look to win games and post huge numbers. Jones will be the benefactor next December when all these individual awards get handed out.
7. WR Justin Blackmon - Oklahoma State
Class:
Junior
Height: 6'1 Weight: 205
Hometown: Ardmore, OK
Blackmon actually dotted quite a few Heisman lists through out the 2010 season, which will work well in his favor. Some have compared his skills to that of former Big 12 superstar receiver Michael Crabtree. He is the most gifted receiver in American when measuring physical skills and hands. The fact he plays in this wide-open Stillwater system and that his quarterback also returns, Blackmon could be the first true receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard in 1991.
8. RB Marcus Lattimore - South Carolina
Class:
Sophomore
Height: 6'0 Weight: 218
Hometown: Duncan, SC
The SEC Freshman of The Year is a vital part of the Steve Spurrier game plan. The Gamecocks rely on the run quite heavily these days and the talented Lattimore is sure to continue earning a large number of carries. Lattimore does not post huge statistics but is a pure workhorse. It's doubtful this sophomore can make a move towards being considered a Heisman type of ball carrier under this premise unless his Gamecocks can win the SEC East Division. Well, they already did that. Is there an encore in store?
9. RB Trent Richardson - Alabama
Class:
Junior
Height: 5'11 Weight: 220
Hometown: Pensacola, FL
Several factors give Richardson a good chance to make a Heisman run. First, he won't have to share the carries with Ingram leaving for the NFL. Second, he will play on a top rated team. Third, his offensive line should be much improved. Fourth, and most important, Richardson is a physical specimen rarely found playing at this level. The expectations following his heralded high school accolades are soon to be met.
10. QB Brandon Weeden - Oklahoma State
Class:
Senior
Height: 6'4 Weight: 219
Hometown: Edmond, OK

The 27-year old college senior who was the first player chosen in the 2002 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Yankees has already broken most every single season passing record at Oklahoma State including many set by his predecessor Zac Robinson. He is not a running quarterback however like Robinson, but the Big 12 leading offense of last year does welcome back ten starters. Weeden can seriously win this award if they can take Oklahoma out in the Bedlam Series. This offense is primed and ready to go.

11. QB Terrelle Pryor - Ohio State    DONE
Class:
Senior
Height: 6'6 Weight: 233
Hometown: Jeannette, PA
Many felt Pryor was capable of winning two Heisman Trophies upon arriving in Columbus. He has never even been invited to the ceremony. No doubt Pryor should be ranked higher than this, but his current five game suspension for the upcoming season will make it awfully difficult to compete for post-season awards. He obviously won't be able to produce Heisman-like season statistics when compared to all the others. The only chance he would have is if his Buckeyes can run the complete table while Pryor performs a miracle on the field upon his return. While he has been very good to great at times, the same type of outing in 2011 won't be near enough.
12. RB James White - Wisconsin
Class:
Sophomore
Height: 5'10 Weight: 198
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL
The Badgers always maintain an All-American type at running back. With John Clay leaving early for the NFL, the Madison spotlight gets narrowed down to this young Sunshine State product. James White is set to carry the long-standing tradition of toting the pigskin on this campus. He is only a true sophomore, but that should not surprise anyone knowing that White finished as the team's top rusher last fall averaging a mighty 6.7 yards per carry and recording 14 touchdowns.
13. WR Ryan Broyles - Oklahoma
Class:
Senior
Height: 5'11 Weight: 183
Hometown: Norman, OK
This high scoring Sooner wagon revolves around Ryan Broyles. If he isn't beating defenses catching passes (131 receptions for 1,622 yards) he can beat them returning punts. Many were shocked when Broyles decided to return to Norman for his senior year. With Broyles, the two best receivers in the country reside in the state of Oklahoma (OSU Justin Blackmon is the other). A massive storm is brewing on the plains. It's the OU offense breaking the huddle and Broyles is right in the thick of it.
14. QB Robert Griffin III - Baylor
Class:
Junior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 220
Hometown: Copperas Cove, TX

The resurrection of Baylor football can be pin pointed to the success of Robert Griffin. Plenty of athletes reside on this Heisman List and Griffin is probably one of the top four in regards to pure athleticism. Now that is a hefty statement. In 2010, he was the only active sophomore with 5,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards. Baylor isn't a favorite to win the Big 12 or post a 10-win type of season, which obviously hurts his Heisman cause. But he and Michigan's Denard Robinson are the best dual-threat quarterbacks for 2010.

15. WR Michael Floyd - Notre Dame
Class:
Senior
Height: 6'3 Weight: 227
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
With his 6’3 size and splendid hands, there are few defenders that can slow down Michael Floyd in this predominant Irish passing attack. He is the star in South Bend by a long shot, which gives him all the media attention a player trying to compete for the Heisman could wish for. Don't let that factor alone plead his Heisman case, Floyd is the best possession receiver in the country when using his size.
16. QB Taylor Martinez - Nebraska
Class:
Sophomore
Height: 6'1 Weight: 205
Hometown: Corona, CA

The redshirt freshman Martinez took the nation by storm as a newcomer in the early part of 2010 and quickly jumped right into the thick of the Heisman race. Then youthful reality hit and Nebraska found difficulty scoring at times as Martinez worked through a few injuries. Martinez represents the return of "old school" Nebraska football utilizing a quarterback who can hit the home run carrying the ball with authority while beating teams throwing the ball when they try to stop it. He shattered numerous Husker freshman records doing both.

 

17. RB Knile Davis - Arkansas   INJURED - OUT FOR THE YEAR
Class:
Junior
Height: 6'0 Weight: 220
Hometown: Missouri City, TX
When any player at any position can be tabbed as a First Team All-SEC honoree in just his sophomore season he is special. This power packed running back named Davis will carry a much heavier load for the Razorbacks now that passing sensation Ryan Mallett has moved on to the NFL. Whether this equates to better numbers for Davis or not will determine if he can truly reach lofty Heisman status. The odds say no but Arkansas has found their playmaker for next season.
18. RB Edwin Baker - Michigan State
Class:
Junior
Height: 5'9 Weight: 208
Hometown: Highland Park, MI
The All-Big Ten selection Baker has rushed for 1,628 yards in his first two seasons. The Spartans will maintain a balanced attack with quarterback Kirk Cousins returning. But when power football between the tackles is required in East Lansing, Baker is the “goto” guy. Balance and experience should allow Baker to put up even bigger numbers.
19. QB Matt Barkley - Southern California
Class:
Junior
Height: 6'2 Weight: 220
Hometown: Newport Beach, CA

Barkley has posted back-to-back impressive seasons since starting as a true freshman in 2009. All of the scholarship reductions and post-season bans at USC will continue to hamper his cause. Don't be surprised if Barkley winds up as one of the top signal callers by season's end. The former High School National Player of The Year is talented enough to pull USC out of this probation skid.

20. DT Jared Crick - Nebraska
Class:
Senior
Height: 6-6 Weight: 285
Hometown: Cozad, NE

Jared Crick represents the only defensive player on this list, which was the same case a year ago when his teammate Ndamukong Suh declared him the next "Suh" and he cracked the list then too. Crick did not disappoint and in the last two years has posted a grand total of 32 tackles for loss, 19 sacks and 143 total tackles. Those are monster numbers for a defensive tackle.

21. QB Bryant Moniz - Hawai'i
Class:
Senior
Height: 6'0 Weight: 200
Hometown: Wahiawa O'ahu, HI
What quarterback passed for the most yards in 2010? Bryant Moniz did with 5,040 of them. Call him a product of the system if you will, but those types of numbers make him worthy on this deep list. His senior year might not be as productive given the shear amount of talent surrounding him that has moved on.
22. RB Ed Wesley - TCU
Class:
Junior
Height: 5'9 Weight: 200
Hometown: Irving, TX
TCU is becoming a staple in big time college football. They have a defensive star in linebacker Tank Carder. With quarterback Andy Dalton finally graduating the star status falls on Wesley to carry the offensive load. His 6.5-yard per carry average last fall helped the Horned Frogs to an undefeated season.
23. RB Chris Polk - Washington
Class:
Junior
Height: 5'11 Weight: 214
Hometown: Redlands, CA
Chris Polk decided to stick around Washington for another season. While all the talk in Seattle last fall revolved around quarterback Jake Locker, who is now departed, Polk quietly put up 1,415 yards on the ground carrying the pigskin. Another 7-6 record is not going to place a guy like Polk too high on a Heisman list. But this kid can play.
24. RB Michael Dyer - Auburn
Class:
Sophomore
Height: 5'9 Weight: 215
Hometown: Little Rock, AR
Michael Dyer was the nation's top rated running back out of high school according to ESPN. No one was quite sure if he could handle the pressure as a true freshman tailback playing a large role in a championship run. He did with the help of guy named Cam Newton. Dyer will no longer have that luxury and his offensive line gets retooled. The nation will certainly find out in 2011 if Dyer is as advertised.
25. QB Russell Wilson - Wisconsin
Class:
Senior
Height: 5'11 Weight: 201
Hometown: Richmond, VA

Some might consider this a long shot. Well, the No. 25 spot on this list surely is. Russell Wilson may be a better baseball player and during the summer he will continue to pursue that career. In 2008, Wilson was the first freshman ever to be named the first-team All-ACC quarterback. He has a propensity to toss the interception but when Wilson is on his game, he is elusive, dangerous and awfully fun to watch.