TOP 10 HEISMAN CANDIDATES
After a long, dull, July and August where MLB, Wimbledon, and Gold Cup are the most exciting things going on, college football will finally make its triumphant return. It's no secret that the Heisman trophy, college football's most prestigious award, is about as tough to predict as picking the lottery as of recently. But we'll give it a shot anyway! Here's 10 players to keep a close watch on during their 2013 Heisman campaign.
#10. T.J. Yeldon
Why he could win: Alabama running backs have fared well in Heisman voting in recent times, Yeldon should be no different. He's coming off a record-breaking freshman year, setting the Alabama freshman record for rushing yards and tying Mark Ingram's record for freshman rushing TDs. He averaged over 7 yards per carry and came on strong when it mattered most, rushing for 153 yards in the SEC title against Georgia, and 110 against Notre Dame in the National Championship game. With Eddie Lacy going pro, Yeldon will receive the bulk of the carries for the Crimson Tide while attempting to fill the shoes of his predecessors Lacy, Ingram, and Trent Richardson.
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Why he's #10: It's tough for any Alabama player to really stand out from the rest these days. The roster is so deep and so incredibly talented that it's almost impossible for one players efforts to outdo the rest. Especially in his first year as a starter.
#9. Sammy Watkins
Why he could win: I guess you could call this my wildcard pick. If a wide receiver is going to win the trophy, it's either gonna be this guy or Marqise Lee. We give Watkins the upper hand because Tajh Boyd will do a much better job getting him the ball at QB. Though he had a quiet 2012 playing behind DeAndre Hopkins, we still remember Sammy's freshman season in 2011 when he broke 11 freshman school records and became only the 4th Freshman to be a first team all american, along with Herschel Walker, Adrian Peterson, and Marhsall Faulk. Pretty good company
Why he's #9: The last time a wide receiver actually won the Heisman was 1991 (Desmond Howard). Watkins would have to put up ridiculous numbers, or else the award will just be presented to the best QB or RB.
#8. A.J. McCarron
Why he could win: McCarron enters his senior year as the leader of the back to back national champs. He and Alabama will be the center of attention in the college football world and that publicity attracts voters. As long as McCarron continues to lead and Alabama continues to win, don't count this guy out.
Why he's #8: While being a quarterback is quickly becoming the best position to win the Heisman at, McCarron has 2 big factors working against him. Firstly, Alabama is a program that loves to run the football till it hurts, so McCarron won't see nearly as many snaps or stats as some of the other front-runners. Secondly, McCarron isn't really the dual-threat quarterback that voters drool over...that is after they're done drooling over his drop-dead gorgeous girlfriend.
#7. Braxton Miller
Why he could win: Braxton Miller is in pretty much everyone's top 5 picks and most people's top 2 or 3. His good play was overlooked last year simply because his team was ineligible for post season play. The Big Ten is slowly becoming one of the weaker conferences in college football, which means Miller's stat-line and record should look pretty good as well.
Why he's #7: It's a lot easier to put up big numbers when there's no pressure and nothing to play for. Miller used that benefit to fly under the radar last year, this year that luxury is gone. Miller is now on the same playing field as everyone else, where every game is a must-win and the heat is on every time you put on the helmet. I think Miller's success can only decline with the pressure shift.
#6. Aaron Murray
Why he could win: Aaron Murray will be a 4th year starter, and if his experience alone isn't enough, Georgia returns 10 of its 11 offensive starters from last year. Murray should be in sync with his experienced offence and stand out in an SEC conference where defense is paramount.
Why he's #6: If the first 3 years have taught us one thing, it's that Murray chokes in high pressure situations and can't win the ones that count. While other players rise to the occasion, Murray continues to toss multiple picks or shit his pants and forget to spike the ball with an SEC title on the table. Unless we see a more clutch and composed Murray, he isn't deserving of a Heisman.
#5. Teddy Bridgewater
Why he could win: TB gained some serious publicity after Louisville's sugar bowl victory last year over Florida by torching the nations #1 pass defense and becoming the Sugar Bowl MVP. With the realignment of the Big East and the formation of the new American Athletic Conference, we only expect big stat-lines from Mr. Bridgewater in 2013.
Why he's #5: While his conference is his strength, it's also his weakness. Voters are unlikely to award the Heisman to a player who dominates a conference whose next best team is Cincinnati. That being said, if Bridgewater loses two games or more, you can pretty much count him out.
#4. Tajh Boyd
Why he could win: Combine his NFL build with his experience and Boyd has all the necessities. Boyd resembles a Cam Newton or E.J. Manuel physically and he enters 2013 as a Senior and 3rd year starter. After skepticism after losing to Florida State and South Carolina, Boyd finally showed the world he could win the big one by leading a last minute drive to beat LSU in the Chick-fil-a Bowl. We expect nothing less from the highly explosive Clemson offense against ACC defenses.
Why he's #4: The ACC and its football players always seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to respect. Boyd will get his fair share of opportunities though when Clemson plays Georgia, FSU, and South Carolina and those three games will be "make or break" for his Heisman campaign.
#3. Marcus Mariota
Why he could win: This guy quietly had a crazy freshman year, racking up 38 total touchdowns while heading the most explosive offense in the nation. Defenses never know what to expect when Mariota works from shotgun with 2 lightning quick halfbacks which will further open up Mariota's game for both pass and run. The scary part? He's only 19...
Why he's #3: Having to split the hype and touches with De'Anthony Thomas will prove to be Mariota's Achilles heel. Unless one can truly outshine the other, it's likely western voters will split between the two and open the door for yet another southern winner.
#2. De'Anthony Thomas
Why he could win: If his first 2 years weren't already a good enough indicator, this guy does it all. He's arguably the quickest halfback in the game, and also one of the better receiving halfbacks, and he's also a constant threat when it comes to returning kicks. He's the best athlete in the nation, capable of playing corner and running track. This guy has big goals for the fall, including a Heisman, Pac-12 title, and maybe a national title as well.
Why he's #2: As I said before, Mariota will take away from Thomas's overall domination, just enough so to pull Thomas off the top. The possibilities are still very high, and if a Heisman isn't in store the #1 overall draft pick is still rather likely should he choose to forgo his senior year. Thomas didn't quite reach #1 on my list, by I assure you he came pretty damn close...
#1. Johnny Manziel
Why he could win: The sky's the limit for Johnny football. Although he won't be overlooked anymore as he begins his Heisman defense, it would be foolish not to expect the same greatness we witnessed in 2012. Manziel has every tool, he's a dual threat SEC quarterback who shines above his average teammates and carries them the whole way. Furthermore, he's a humbled, likable character whose already won this award once.
Why he's #1: If you paid any attention at all to college football last year, it's pretty self-explanatory. He orchestrated possibly the best freshman season we've seen from a qb ever and he should only be expected to grow in year 2. Pending an injury or some type of serious trouble, Manziel is still a solid bet.
Do you agree with my rankings? Did I leave anyone off the list? Perhaps Marqise Lee or Jadeveon Clowney or a dark horse candidate? Don't hesitate to discuss in the comments below if you wish and expect a bigger college football preview as the season draws nearer.
Written by: Ryan Quigley
Why he could win: TB gained some serious publicity after Louisville's sugar bowl victory last year over Florida by torching the nations #1 pass defense and becoming the Sugar Bowl MVP. With the realignment of the Big East and the formation of the new American Athletic Conference, we only expect big stat-lines from Mr. Bridgewater in 2013.
Why he's #5: While his conference is his strength, it's also his weakness. Voters are unlikely to award the Heisman to a player who dominates a conference whose next best team is Cincinnati. That being said, if Bridgewater loses two games or more, you can pretty much count him out.
Why he could win: Combine his NFL build with his experience and Boyd has all the necessities. Boyd resembles a Cam Newton or E.J. Manuel physically and he enters 2013 as a Senior and 3rd year starter. After skepticism after losing to Florida State and South Carolina, Boyd finally showed the world he could win the big one by leading a last minute drive to beat LSU in the Chick-fil-a Bowl. We expect nothing less from the highly explosive Clemson offense against ACC defenses.
Why he's #4: The ACC and its football players always seem to get the short end of the stick when it comes to respect. Boyd will get his fair share of opportunities though when Clemson plays Georgia, FSU, and South Carolina and those three games will be "make or break" for his Heisman campaign.
Why he could win: This guy quietly had a crazy freshman year, racking up 38 total touchdowns while heading the most explosive offense in the nation. Defenses never know what to expect when Mariota works from shotgun with 2 lightning quick halfbacks which will further open up Mariota's game for both pass and run. The scary part? He's only 19...
Why he's #3: Having to split the hype and touches with De'Anthony Thomas will prove to be Mariota's Achilles heel. Unless one can truly outshine the other, it's likely western voters will split between the two and open the door for yet another southern winner.
Why he could win: If his first 2 years weren't already a good enough indicator, this guy does it all. He's arguably the quickest halfback in the game, and also one of the better receiving halfbacks, and he's also a constant threat when it comes to returning kicks. He's the best athlete in the nation, capable of playing corner and running track. This guy has big goals for the fall, including a Heisman, Pac-12 title, and maybe a national title as well.
Why he's #2: As I said before, Mariota will take away from Thomas's overall domination, just enough so to pull Thomas off the top. The possibilities are still very high, and if a Heisman isn't in store the #1 overall draft pick is still rather likely should he choose to forgo his senior year. Thomas didn't quite reach #1 on my list, by I assure you he came pretty damn close...
Why he could win: The sky's the limit for Johnny football. Although he won't be overlooked anymore as he begins his Heisman defense, it would be foolish not to expect the same greatness we witnessed in 2012. Manziel has every tool, he's a dual threat SEC quarterback who shines above his average teammates and carries them the whole way. Furthermore, he's a humbled, likable character whose already won this award once.
Why he's #1: If you paid any attention at all to college football last year, it's pretty self-explanatory. He orchestrated possibly the best freshman season we've seen from a qb ever and he should only be expected to grow in year 2. Pending an injury or some type of serious trouble, Manziel is still a solid bet.
Do you agree with my rankings? Did I leave anyone off the list? Perhaps Marqise Lee or Jadeveon Clowney or a dark horse candidate? Don't hesitate to discuss in the comments below if you wish and expect a bigger college football preview as the season draws nearer.
Written by: Ryan Quigley
