After three weeks, roughly 1/4 of the season in the books, the Heisman trophy list has changed drastically.
And while a few of the original contenders are still holding steady and have outstanding chances to join that elite group, two relatively unknown and at the very least unhyped players crack the top 5.
In year’s past it’s been two or three players vying for the top spot, and only last year was Mark Ingram out of left field, but even then he was on the top team in the country.
This year, however, I can make a case for the top nine on this list, and the season is still very young.
1. Denard Robinson, Quarterback, Michigan, Sophomore
Yes, I’m drinking the Denard Robinson Kool-Aid. And honestly, if the season ended today, it’d be hard to argue against Robinson. He’s been single handedly winning Michigan games this year. He reminds myself and many others of a Pat White, but hasn’t showed any of the inconsistencies this early in his career that White did. This could change, and even though their hot right now, odds are Michigan won’t keep this up all season. And after two or three losses, Robinson will have to wait until next season.
2. Terrelle Pryor, Quarterback, Ohio State, Senior
The top “prospect” for the Heisman trophy this season, Pryor is the star player on a Top 3 team and has a great chance to go undefeated and play in the BCS title game, which always helps a Heisman case. And he’s only second because of how amazing Robinson has been, not that he’s been unimpressive. Still, though, I need to see him play well at least two more times, but his win over Miami (FL) did a lot to help his case.
3. Ryan Mallett, Quarterback, Arkansas, Senior
Mallett is the best NFL quarterback prospect in the country, possibly competing with Stanford’s Andrew Luck. Along with that, he’s proved to be able to team apart defenses with his vision, poise, and tremendous arm strength. He has the weapons around him to succeed and put up big stats, even against SEC foes. His biggest problem may actually be the defense, because if the Razorbacks don’t finish top 2 or 3 in the SEC, Mallett won’t have a chance in the race.
4. Kellen Moore, Quarterback, Boise State, Senior
Very close to the top of this list, Moore is some reason still under rated in most circles that I talk to. I think Moore has a mixture of Drew Brees and Brett Favre in him, and his outstanding accuracy, decision making, and pure winning ability make him fun to watch, exciting to cheer for, and deserving of national attention. Boise won’t have many more big games after Oregon State, and he’ll need to make another statement, like he did against Virginia Tech, to keep his name in the running.
5. Taylor Martinez, Quarterback, Nebraska, RS Freshman
Maybe a surprise to be this high on the list, he stays high as a national attention grabber because of the team he plays for. People across the country are excited to see the Cornhuskers back towards the top of the country, and Martinez is looking more and more like the second coming of Tim Couch. He’s not their yet, but if Nebraska gets into the Top 3, he’ll be hard to pick against if he plays the way he’s has been and is capable of.
6. DeMarco Murray, Running Back, Oklahoma, Senior
Any Big 12 feature player who could be on a conference will be up for the award. And with Landri Jones not close to Sam Bradford behind him and Murray being maybe the countries top senior running back, he’ll rise up the list if the Sooners keep winning and if he has some highlight reel type plays like Reggie Bush did when he ____ the Heisman trophy.
7. Andrew Luck, Quarterback, Stanford, RS Junior
I’m still not a huge Andrew Luck fan when it comes to NFL potential, but what he and John Harbaugh are doing at Stanford is extremely impressive, and if they can continue to shine in Pac-10 play, Luck will become more of a factor. As of now, he doesn’t have the stats or big wins to gain enough interest.
8. Mark Ingram, Running Back, Alabama, Junior
Last year’s winner is more of a deep darkhorse for the award after missing the first three games, but he still has the respect of the Heisman trust and if he’s still the feature weapon on the nation’s top team, he’ll continue to keep support.
9. Andy Dalton, Quarterback, TCU, Senior
Simply put, if TCU gets into the Top 2, which could happen if/when Ohio State and Alabama get into conference play, Dalton deserves recognition as the offensive face for a team that may be in the BCS title game.
10. Matt Barkley, Quarterback, USC, Sophomore
USC quarterbacks have a history of always being considered for the award, and while they’ve played extremely sloppy so far, he has the weapons around him to really succeed.
11. Colin Kaepernick, Quarterback, Nevada, Senior
Nevada’s off to a hot start, and fans and scouts across the country are excited about Kaepernick. He’s not even close to the award as of now, but a few more big statiscial games and a win over Boise State, and he’s fully in the mix.
12. Kirk Cousins, Quarterback, Michigan State, Junior
I think Cousins has NFL potential, but doesn’t have much national attention as a great college player. He hasn’t wowed yet with the stat book, but games against Wisconsin and at Michigan could make or break his dreams.
13. Jacory Harris, Quarterback, Miami (FL), Junior
Very dissapointing loss to Ohio State, he’ll have a chance to redeem himself a little against Pittsburgh, a game I think they should all but dominate. He has tons of receiver options, maybe of which I think could be playing on Sunday’s in the next few years.
14. Nick Foles, Quarterback, Arizona, Junior
Deep sleeper as of now, if Arizona keeps winning in the pass happy Pac-10, he’ll start getting support out there. He has the talent to be a top notch college quarterback, and this could be the Wildcats’s best year.
15. Noel Devine, Running Back, West Virginia, Senior
Small running back who will have to beat out Geno Smith, his quarterback, for east coast support, he’s electrifying and can have the highlight reel plays that get him on Sportscenter and in the minds of voters.
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