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BTB Spring Football Part One: Emerging Stars Part Two: Emerging Teams It's never too early to start previewing the 2008 college football season...

Spring Football 2008: Heisman Candidates

by David Williams (Columnist)

22

3542 reads

Preview/Prediction

May 15, 2008


BTB Spring Football Part One: Emerging Stars

Part Two: Emerging Teams

 

It's never too early to start previewing the 2008 college football season.

 

After a brief hiatus due to the college final exam period, Beyond the Bleachers is back with its third installment of a five-part series that is previewing the 2008 college football season.

 

This week, Beyond the Bleachers examines the potential Heisman candidates in the Football Bowl Subdivision.  From previous Heisman finalists to budding stars, here you'll find a list of the nation’s elite, game-breaking, college football athletes for the upcoming season.

 

As spring practices have come to a conclusion across the country and the dreaded Quiet and Evaluation Periods are upon us, watch out for these athletes

who may very well be hoisting the 74th Heisman Memorial Trophy in December 2008…

 

 

Tim Tebow, junior QB, Florida 

 

The reigning Heisman Trophy and Davey O’Brien Award winner is back for his second year as a full-time starter for the Gators.  Next year, he could be even better.

 

Fresh off of circumcising poor, indigenous Filipino children, Tebow comes back supported by experienced skill players Percy Harvin, Cornelius Ingram, and Louis Murphy, along with talented newcomers Emmanuel Moody, Chris Rainey, and Mon Williams.

 

With a much-improved supporting cast, it is unlikely that Tebow will put up numbers as high as last year's (172.47 QB rating, 3286 yards, 66.9 completion percentage, 32 TDs, and six INTs).

 

Nevertheless, the best player on one of the most talented teams in 2008 will have plenty of opportunities to make his push for a second Heisman award—something which has not been accomplished since Archie Griffin in 1974 and ’75.

 

 

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22 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. Chris Finocchio about 1 year ago

    What's keeping Stafford off this list?

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    • David Williams about 1 year ago

      Tim said it best. He's a really talented quarterback and he'll probably get drafted in the top 10 whenever he enters the NFL, but he needs to be more consistent on the field. Also, he'll probably be handing the ball off to Moreno and Caleb King a lot so he won't put up nearly as good of numbers as Tebow/Daniel/Harrell/Bradford/etc. Just my opinion

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  2. Tim Pollock about 1 year ago

    His inability to play well. Sort or serious, sort of kidding.

    55% completion percentage last year, and a pedestrian 19 TD's to 10 INTs. He had too many average games last year, and he never had that huge monster stat game where he was on the money nearly every pass.

    Yes, he improved a bunch from his frosh year, but he has to get more consistent.

    Great list, David.

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  3. Timmy Squared about 1 year ago

    Good list, I would have to say that Tim Tebow, Knowshon Moreno, and Chris Wells are going to be the clear favorites. They will get the most exposure and ESPN will most definately be talking about the Gators, Bulldogs, and Buckeyes all season long. The one person I would add to that list is Sam Bradford. I think that the quarterback of the team that finishes best in the Big 12 will be invited to New York. However, I don't think any quarterback from the Big 12 will deserve it because that conference is overrated and they don't play any defense.

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  4. James Harvey about 1 year ago

    Another nice article David. Are those in the order that you project that they will finish? Or is it just a list?

    If it's in order,than I totally agree with the exception of Tebow. I don't think the schedule will allow for another 20-20 TD season. I just don't think he can win it again. However he will finish in the top 4.

    Pat White will lose too many votes to super soph Noel Devine. If Chase can win the Big 12 than I think he will be taken home the greastest individual award in all of sports.

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  5. Eric Hobbs about 1 year ago

    Chase Daniel was 4th in Heisman voting last year. I also have to ask, if you include Percy Harvin, how do you not include Jeremy Maclin?

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    • David Williams about 1 year ago

      Thanks, I'll correct that.

      You know, I think I listed Maclin as a darkhorse Heisman candidate in another one of my articles. Honestly, Maclin puts up better numbers but he plays for a less prestigious football program. So the odds of him winning aren't nearly as good. I could've put him on the list as well as several others but this was just my short list.

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  6. Leon Wynn about 1 year ago

    I'm not sure if Sanchez deserves to be on this list, but who knows, Fall may come around with him putting up big numbers.

    Other than that, I think this is an excellent pre-season Heisman article.

    I think Tebow will receive a lot of media attention-I just don't see him putting up the numbers like he did last year. I would love for Moreno or Harrell to take home the hardware, but my money is on Beanie Wells or Chase Daniel.

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    • David Williams about 1 year ago

      Sanchez is the guy who stands out because he wasn't even the starting quarterback last year except for against Oregon and some other school when Booty got hurt. He's on my list simply because he's a talented USC quarterback and he has weapons like Patrick Turner, Damian Williams, Vidal Hazelton, Allen Bradford, etc. so he's a candidate in my book.

      My money's on Tebow Moreno or Wells but we'll see

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  7. Tyler Heun about 1 year ago

    I hate it with a passion, but I think Tebow will win it this year. He'll be the best QB in the toughest conference, and on the national championship team this year. I hate Florida with a passion, but the kid is really good. Moreno from Georgia could be in the top 3 too.

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  8. sven ghali about 1 year ago

    After he throws 4 TD's against San Diego State, Clausen's gonna win 3 Heismans.

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    • JJ Stankevitz about 1 year ago

      Ah, the ol' Notre Dame 3x multiplier. Good stuff.

      For my money, I think if Chase plays well at Texas and Mizzou wins the Big 12 (game is at Arrowhead, don't sleep on it), he'll win the Heisman. People forget that he probably was #2 and maybe would have even challenged Tebow before he came out and struggled against OU. With a 300-yard, 3-TD game against the Sooners, Daniel might be the reigning Heisman right now.

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  9. Andrew Perkins about 1 year ago

    Good read.

    Since Heisman voting is what it is, OSU QB Todd Boeckman will probably have a shot, given the Buckeyes are in national title contention and he doesn't lay an egg like he did against Illinois and LSU.

    He doesn't belong with the guys on your list, but the nature of the beast is that QBs on the elite teams get a long look.

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  10. Jimson Cuenta about 1 year ago

    Excuse me, but how could YOU put Michael Oher on this list... AND leave out Todd Reesing???

    Did I miss something?

    I have watched SO MUCH College Football during the past 3 years. In fact, I have NOT MISSED A SINGLE WEEKEND of College Football during the past 3 seasons... but seriously, I would NOT be able to pick Michael Oher out of a lineup, if you asked me to.

    In fact, I have NEVER heard name 'Michael Oher' in my life :)

    To put Oher on this list AND leave Todd Reesing OUT... That is just PURE DISRESPECT, in my opinion!!!

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  11. USCfbfan USCfbfan about 1 year ago

    I'm not saying he SHOULD be on this list, but Mark Sanchez has more of a chance than most think.

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  12. Daniel Brommer about 1 year ago

    This is a great list David. I think that it will come down to Tebow and Moreno personally but Chase Daniel could sneak in there too. Tebow is the popular pick, especially if he puts better numbers than last year, which almost seems impossible. I think Moreno has a great shot because I think Georgia will win the SEC and National Championship this year.

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  13. Eric Flint about 1 year ago

    David, I am new to bleacherreport and have enjoyed reading your articles today. I know you're a huge Bucks fan so how could you say Beanie does not have enough highlight reel plays? In back to back seasons he has ripped off 50+ yard TD runs against scUM. In the title game, the last time Beanie was in front of a national audience, he definitely put on an impressive show: another long TD run and then later in the game he treated LSU's DB like a rag doll with his nasty stiff arm! Keep the good content coming. Go Bucks!

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  14. Reggie Garcia about 1 year ago

    I think Chris Wells will win it. He has so much talent. Tremendous article by the way, your definetly my favorite writer on here, I am going to aspire to be like you in terms of writing.

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  15. Lonnie Shoultz about 1 year ago

    Put QB John David Wilson - Alabama on the list and it looks pretty good. If ypu will take a lineman, take LT Andre Smith from Alabama - he is a man amoung men.

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  1. Mike Hampe 7 months ago

    Graham Harrell, senior QB, Texas Tech...Winner of the 2008 Heisman Award.

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  2. Mike Hampe 7 months ago

    Graham Harrell, senior QB, Texas Tech....2008 Heisman Award Winner...nuff said

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