Top 10 Heisman Potentials from the Class of 2010

As soon as Mark Ingram won the Heisman Trophy last year, the speculation started up as to who will take home college football's biggest prize at the end of the 2010 season.

Naturally, I have my opinion on that particular subject as well (does anyone else really like Ryan Williams?), but now that National Signing Day has wrapped up, I'd like to go a little different direction.

Here are my Top 10 guys from the class of 2010 with the best shot at the Heisman in the next four or so seasons.

No. 10: Ronald Powell, Florida

I admit that, because he's a defensive player, Ronald Powell has no real chance of winning the Heisman. He may be the best defensive end/linebacker around someday soon, but Florida's teams are simply too well-rounded and uber-athletic to favor an individual at all, let alone enough to warrant Heisman mention.

I couldn't just leave a stud like this off the board, though. If you are good enough to be ESPN's top recruit, you are good enough to get mentioned here.

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No. 9: Jackson Jeffcoat, Texas

Like Ronald Powell, Jackson Jeffcoat has no realistic shot at the Heisman. Texas defenses are simply too talented across the board. I do think, however, his chances are (if it matters at all) better than Powell's.

I say Jeffcoat, a defensive end, would have to stay in school all four years—but that's the easy part. He would also have to grow physically, statistically, and as a leader in each of those seasons. In his final season, Jeffcoat would have to post massive numbers, even with other teams visibly game-planning around him, and lead his team to a National Championship.

Ndamukong Suh came close in 2009, but needed that extra win or two on his resume. Jeffcoat could get it done, but it would be far more difficult as an end—especially playing at Texas.

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No. 8: Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State

I'll go ahead and get all these defensive players out of the way early since the poor guys won't get any love when it comes to actual Heisman finalists.

Lamarcus Joyner has a little better shot than Powell or Jeffcoat not only because he could be a factor on special teams, but because he may get the most publicity of the three.

By his sophomore or junior season, Joyner could be one of the best players on a revamped and re-energized Florida State squad (not quite Deion Sanders, maybe, but still very good), which would merit him quite a bit of attention.

If Jimbo Fisher doesn't bring Florida State out of the depths of mediocrity, this pick is completely, absolutely, and 100 percent out the window.

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No. 7: Mike Davis, Texas

Mike Davis has more than enough tools in his arsenal to win the Heisman Trophy someday. The main problem here is that Davis is heading to Texas.

His smooth route-running and ability to pull in tough catches already has people remembering Jordan Shipley. For Longhorn fans, that's fantastic.

However, the numbers Davis would have to post out of the Texas spread offense (when you consider that Shipley had 116 catches, 1,485 yards, and 13 touchdowns receiving and was barely glanced at for the Heisman) would have to be astronomical.

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No. 6: Blake Bell, Oklahoma

Depending on who you ask, Blake Bell is either the most exciting or the most overrated quarterback in the class of 2010.

I've had the privilege of watching this kid's highlights on the news for the past three years and can assure you there's plenty to like.

The biggest knock on him right now is experience (he has only been a starter at quarterback for the better part of two seasons) and, unfortunately, experience might hinder him in the future, too. I don't think he'll overtake Landry Jones's job soon, and Blake Bell not becoming a starter until his red-shirt junior season is a very real possibility.

Bell's great size, cannon arm, more-than-adept athleticism, and the potential he has in Oklahoma's offensive system make him a must-have on this list anyway.

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No. 5: Robert Woods, Southern California

The No. 1 receiver in the class of 2010 has the talent to be even higher on this list.

However, when glancing through some past statistics, USC tends to produce Heisman guys in the backfield and Lane Kiffin did his best work last season with his quarterback, Jonathan Crompton.

Still, I think Kiffin is going to make a monster out of Matt Barkley. In two or three years, college football fans will be very well-acquainted with the Barkley-to-Woods connection.

It won't hurt that Woods, like Joyner, has flourished on special teams in the past as well.

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No. 4: Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

If Marcus Lattimore continues to develop physically and Steve Spurrier makes him the focus of the offense, this kid should become one of the most, if not the most, productive back in this class.

Lattimore will gash defenses for chunk after chunk of yardage with his ability to pick a hole, cut back, and burst through the line—particularly with good zone blocking in front of him.

He may never turn into an absolute home-run threat, but Lattimore is the type of guy who can stay on the field all day and get stronger as games wear on.

The opposition must account for him in the pass game, too, as his soft hands are one of his best traits.

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No. 3: Jake Heaps, Brigham Young

Jake Heaps has a little work to do both mechanically and physically, but he is an easy pick to look out for in the future should BYU continue to grow into a mid-major power.

Like all BYU quarterbacks, Heaps will have a great system (one he played in throughout high school) on his side. He could potentially be a three-year starter for the Cougars, too, and the added experience will never hurt.

I think Heaps is a safe bet to be in Heisman consideration someday but, in reality, it's fairly well established that hie Heisman chances are slim. He doesn't have spectacular physical tools, and playing at BYU will always count against him.

Continued and even increased team-success would likely get Heaps in the ceremony, though.

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No. 2: Phillip Sims, Alabama

If Colt McCoy can contend for the Heisman Trophy based on his bottomless experience, team success, accuracy, and intelligence, then Phillip Sims can win it someday.

Nick Saban probably won't let Alabama fall too far down the polls over the next few seasons, and Sims has a better physical skill set than McCoy.

With these top-notch recruiting classes, the Crimson Tide should be contending for a National Championship again sooner rather than later, and Sims could be at the helm as soon as 2011. (Some McElroy haters beg to differ, but I don't think Sims picks up the starting job just yet.)

If Sims plays smart and posts some of the video-game statistics he's capable of, I think there's little question that he'll be in the Heisman discussion in three or four years.

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No. 1: Michael Dyer, Auburn

If Gene Chizik continues to push Auburn in the right direction, Michael Dyer will be a force to be reckoned with by his junior season.

Auburn is another good recruiting class or two and some experience away from being among the nation's most talented teams, and this running back will be the Tigers' spearhead.

Both Auburn and Chizik are crazy for a good back (Chizik even made an imposing threat out of Alexander Robinson at Iowa State), and Dyer seems like he's going to fit right in.

I've even heard interesting comparisons between Dyer and Toby Gerhart, but with better leverage, added quickness, and lacking only in the momentum and brute-force department. A year or two of bulk, experience, and stamina will have this kid ready to carry the load for a potentially special team.

Most importantly, he has the right tools to finish near the goal line, and the Heisman committee loves touchdowns. His consistency in falling forward, great balance, burst, and ability to bounce around will get Dyer very well-acquainted with the end zone.

I hate to sound like a broken record, but a little overall team success will go a long way for ESPN's top-rated running back. When considering his style, his situation, and the potential around him though, I think Michael Dyer is the safest bet to make noise in the Heisman race at least once or twice in his career.

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