Another season has been complete, another Heisman crowned. Yet, with so many top tier contenders returning, most notably Tebow and McCoy, it should make for a very exciting 2009 season. Tebow should be the obvious favorite, with last year’s top finishers right behind him. But guys that I feel are deep sleepers, such as Robert Griffin, Matt Grothe, and Cody Hawkins, also have legit chances too.
1. Tim Tebow, QB from Florida
He had a legit case to win it again this past season, but now with most of his best players
returning on both sides of the ball, anything less than a Heisman and National Championship would be a let down.
2. Sam Bradford, QB from Oklahoma
Last year’s winner returns to play “Tim Tebow” and go for a double take. However, similar to Tebow, his luster could wear off, and with only a few of his crucial offensive pieces returning, he could be set for a (minor) struggle.
3. Colt McCoy, QB from Texas
After a somewhat shockingly spectacular season, McCoy emerged as the third deserver in the trident trophy that was the Heisman. He is losing only losing a few key offensive pieces, but his offensive weapons weren’t that good to begin with. If they can find some superstars, he could have an even better year.
4. Terrelle Pryor, QB from Ohio State
The freshman sensation will be helped by three major factors. One, Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford both won the award as sophomores, showing that the Heisman commitee will look at younger players. Two, the offense is based around him and lesser talented Ohio State quarterbacks have been great (Troy Smith). And finally, he plays in the Big Ten with Penn State losing tons of talent, so the conference is his to take.
5. Darryl Clark, QB from Penn State
The only way he will be considered is if he has an even better season than last year (stats-wise) without his playmakers on the outside, and finishes the season undefeated, having beaten Ohio State. That way, his team will be a national title contender. However, one loss or two bad games will push him out of the running, so there is little room for error.
6. Zac Robinson, QB from Oklahoma State
The 4th best quarterback in the Big 12, as bad as that sounds, is probably good enough to be a top 5 quarterback last season. He was as important to his team as Colt McCoy, because of his need to make consistent plays. With McCoy and Bradford losing lots of key weapons, the Cowboys could sneak into the conference title game on the back of Zac Robinson.
7. Robert Griffin, QB from Baylor
Another Big 12 quarterback stud, Robert Griffin was arguably a better freshman last year than the always hyped Terelle Pryor. Griffin has the athletic dominance of Tim Tebow, yet the passing ability that is similar to Pryor. He will probably struggle because he’s fighting for 3rd in the conference at quarterback, but don’t be surprised if this team wins a few shockers early on.
8. Dez Bryant, WR from Oklahoma State
He probably won’t be a legit factor in the Heisman voting because he’s a wide receiver and if Crabtree didn’t have a chance two years ago, Bryant has the same if not less of a chance. However, because of how productive he has the potential to be, and the possibility of the Cowboys to win the Big 12 should give him a look for some lower level votes.
9. Jevan Snead, QB from Mississippi
The Heisman, as shown in previous years, isn’t neccessarily a talent-based award. And while many non-scouts haven’t really thought about Jevan Snead, as I watched him this season, I think he could rival Sam Bradford on draft day. And while he should put up some great numbers, at Ole Miss and in the SEC, it will be way to hard to dominate without a Florida-like supporting cast.
10. Matt Grothe, QB from South Florida
The Big East is deffinitly the worst BCS conference, as all 8 teams, now that Pat White is gone, don’t have a great, dynamic team. However, in my opinion , South Florida should be the odds on favorite to win the conference. With a great defense returning, lead by George Selvie and Nate Allen will allow the offense to not play catch-up every game. If Grothe can fix his charitable interception problem and they win the conference (possibly go undefeated) he should get some votes.
11. Dan LeFevour, QB from Central Michigan
In a perfect, non-BCS world, LeFevour would be viewed almost as highly as Tim Tebow, as he does just about as much for his team. And while he is similar to Tebow in almost every way, he gets less than a third of the publicity. The only way LeFevour will have a shot is if the MAC emerges as a good conference (very realistic) and the Chippawas of Central Michigan finish the season undefeated.
12. Tyrod Taylor, QB from Virginia Tech
Another young, athletic quarterback who will be the focal point of his team, Tyrod Taylor has the best chance of going to a BCS game. His defense and coaching staff will make the Hokies a top tier team regardless of how he plays, but if his flashes of Vick-like play, if done consistently, can lead him to be not only the cream of the crop in the ACC, but one of the top players at his position in the country.
13. DeMarco Murray, RB from Oklahoma
As we get lower on this list, the possibles will drift further and further from the actual Heisman trophy hype. Murray, one of the most highly touted recruits coming out of high school, as all the skills and experience to have Adrian Peterson type numbers. But, if last year’s Sooners offensive gameplan is any indication of the 2009 version of the team, then the running game won’t be much of a factor. But, if Murray goes on an AP-pace, then look for Stoops to run a little variation of his gameplan.
14. Max Hall, QB from BYU
Last year’s conductors of the pre-season BCS buster, Hall returns many of his teamates and can use last year’s (over rated) success and press the team received to have a better chance to get some Heisman hype. Hall will still need to put up gaudy numbers and give his team a BCS berth to have a shot at the trophy.
15. Joe McKnight, RB from USC
Another high school, can’t miss recruit, Joe McKnight was supposed to be the heir apparent to Reggie Bush, maybe even better. But, buried on the Trojan depth chart, McKnight has slowly but surely gotten his carries. He now must fight off Stafon Johnson and CJ Gable for the top back, but he is the most talented of them and has the best chance of any USC player to win the trophy. And, if history precedes itself, a Trojan always has a shot at the Heisman.
16. Jaquizz Rodgers, RB from Oregon State
A year ago at this time, people outside of the Pac-10 coaching staffs most likely had no idea who Jaquizz was. However, after an outstanding game on the big stage in the team’s upset of USC, Rodgers got some limelight and can build on that next year. He may have a tough road ahead of him though, as he still isn’t thought of as an elite player, as well as the whole “West Coast bias”, but if the Beavers have a Pac-10 championship type year, it will partly in thanks to Jaquizz.
17. Jacory Harris, QB from Miami (FL)
Again, the further we fall on this list, the less likely they have a shot at all to be considered for the trophy. However, if this WAS a talent-based award, then Jacory Harris would be a top contender. While he will most likely need the Hurricanes to go undefeated and win the ACC because of him, there is an interesting note that I feel opitmizes how different he is from most Miami players. Most Hurricanes think College Football production, then their Pro Football hopes, then the playbook, then considering going to class. However, I stumbled upon an interesting interview with his former high school coach, and Harris was not only a great student in the classroom, but was actually smart enough to call his team’s own plays and ran the offense by himself. Absolutely amazing if you ask me.
18. Rusy Smith, QB from Florida Atlantic
Howard Schnellenberger has been touting old Rusty as the best quarterback he’s coached since Bernie Kosar from his days at Miami. Rusty has an awkward release and an even more awkward chance to win the trophy, as he will need an undefeated season, a BCS berth, and a miracle of some sort to win the trophy, but I’d hate to doubt one of the great coaches of our time.
19. Noel Devine, RB from West Virginia
Can the Mountaineers be any type of contender without the best player in the college’s history, Pat White? Well, if they hope to be competitive in the Big East, the will need to look to their dynamic back Noel Devine. Devine has all the tools to be a 1,300 yard back, but his offensive line isn’t as good as year’s past, and he’s missing the most dominate part of the offense. While a running back of his magnitude probably won’t win many votes, if the Mountaineers reach a BCS game by some miracle, then Devine will deserve some publicity and respect.
20. Cody Hawkins, QB from Colorado
The deepest sleeper of the entire list, and you probably haven’t heard of him yet. But, scouting last season lead me to really notice how talented this coach’s son really his (his dad, Dan Hawkins, is the head man at Colorado). Hawkins can make all the throws and has the ability to be an outstanding quarterback. If the past two years’ great recruiting classes pan out, and Hawkins gets some great talent around him, he has a shot to compete in the weak Big 12 north, and possibly get some national spotlight.
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