Heisman candidates from week 1

Some players stood out compared to others, but not many surprised me except Matt Barkley from USC. Sure they played Hawaii, but Barkley was consistent and completed all but five passes. When you throw for five touchdowns in the season opener, you create some buzz. Barkley also did only pass for 257 yards, but the five touchdowns does make up for it. Let’s see if this kid can fill the shoes of Mark Sanchez.

Jake Locker, the quarterback out of Washington put up some good numbers against a highly ranked BYU defense. He passed for over 250 yards and a touchdown. BYU is no joke this season and they are the real deal. Washington and Locker went up against a tough team in BYU and lost, but Locker is not the one to blame.

With all of the hype going around about the investigation, it was hard to remember that North Carolina played LSU. With all of the allegations against legal issues and the players receiving illegal benefits, that sure didn’t stop North Carolina QB TJ Yates. He passed for over 400 yards in the touch out of conference loss, but he played with some guys that didn’t even expect to start that game. With three touchdowns to go along with all of the passing yards, do not over look TJ. NC still has many games that they can win in conference, but they will have to do a lot so that Yates will still be in the talks come December.

Kellen Moore from Boise State is at the top of many analysts’ leader boards for the Heisman nod. He led his team on a game winning drive to beat #10 Virginia Tech on Monday night. Moore passed for 215 yards and three big touchdowns in the Broncos win over the Hookies. Moore should not be overlooked, he and his team could be going to the BCS Title game in January if they play their cards right.  This is my number one candidate on my list.

Terrelle Pryor has also created some buzz dating back to last season. In a win over Marshall he completed 17 passes for 247 yards with three touchdowns. With his team in the national spotlight this year, his name will be mentioned a lot. He also has great young receivers to throw to, look out for Pryor to be in the discussion he is worthy.

Once the season gets going, a few more names will be tossed up; Mark Ingram from Alabama, Ryan Mallet from Arkansas, and Christian Ponder from Florida State.

Heisman preview for 2010

All college football players dream of playing for a championship winning team. Although winning games and going to BCS bowls is nice, there is one more thing that measures a true college football player. The best player in the country stands out when he wins college football’s most prized trophy, the Heisman Trophy. The players are given votes at the end of the year based on their personal play and statistics and their team’s position. Most players who win the trophy stand out the most and have personal statistics that help their team’s position to win a National Title. The previous three years, sophomores have run the table and have taken home the trophy.

Sam Bradford from the University of Oklahoma took home the trophy three years ago as a sophomore. He was sidelined the following season, which left the door open for someone to take it the upcoming year.

Tim Tebow from the University of Florida took home that prize two years ago, also his sophomore year.  Tebow was denied his second Heisman Trophy when another SEC player won it the following year.

Last year’s winner, Mark Ingram, has yet to see the field this season entering week two due to a knee injury.  No one has counted out Ingram yet, he is just going to be a lot of ground to pick up

So seeing a back-to-back Heisman winner will be unlikely this year. This season there is no clear cut winner, a few names have been thrown around and no one has really had a standout performance yet. Will it be a running back? A receiver? Or how about a defensive player? It is anyone’s game this year and it will be interesting to see who gets the nod come December.