College Football Predictions: Six Sophomores Who Can Win Heisman Trophy

Until 2007, a sophomore had never won the most prestigious trophy in college football, the Heisman Trophy.

That year, former Florida QB Tim Tebow became the first sophomore to win the Heisman in his first full season as a starter.

Since then, sophomores Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and Alabama's Mark Ingram won Heisman Trophies in 2008 and 2009, respectively.

Heading into 2010, there doesn't seem to be a clear favorite for the Heisman, which lately seems like a two-year campaign to win the trophy.

There are a decent crop of sophomores who played well last season that could be hearing their names called at the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City.

Here are the top six that are very capable of winning the Heisman Trophy in 2010.

6. LaMichael James, RB Oregon

Highlights of the 2009 season of LaMichael James.

2009 Stats: 230 carries, 1,546 yards, 14 TDs

When you talk about true breakout freshmen, LaMichael James is at the top of the list because he was not one of those superstar recruits everyone talked about like Trent Richardson and Terrelle Pryor.

But James was spectacular in his first season in Eugene, putting up big-time numbers in Chip Kelly's Spread Zone Read offense.

With the Ducks breaking in a new QB after dismissing starter Jeremiah Masoli, James, and backup RB Kenjon Barner will be called on to carry the load early on in the season.

James will begin his campaign with a suspension for Oregon's opener against New Mexico.

But another Pac-10 title run for the Ducks with a great season from James could find the Texas native as a contender for the Heisman.

5. Matt Barkley, QB USC

Highlights of Matt Barkley from his freshman season.

2009 Stats: 211-352, 2,735 yards, 15 TDs, 14 INTs

USC will not be in a bowl game for awhile, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be paying attention to Matt Barkley.

As the first freshman QB to start on opening day in USC history, Barkley showed some flashes of brilliance, including leading the game-winning drive against Ohio State.

However, Barkley did have his struggles as well, especially against Stanford where he threw three interceptions.

But going into his sophomore year, Barkley should be much improved after having a year to adjust to the speed of the college game. As a result, his TD-to-INT ratio should improve.

USC had a fantastic decade with three Heisman Trophy winners in QBs Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart and RB Reggie Bush, who may lose his Heisman depending on the extent of his allegations.

But even with all of the legal issues that have crippled the USC program for several seasons, the talent of Barkley is still enough of a reason that fans should be going to those games.

He can win a Heisman and probably will when his career is over, possibly even doing it this season as a sophomore.

4. Landry Jones, QB Oklahoma

Doug Benc/Getty Images

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners drops back to pass against the Miami Hurricanes at Land Shark Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Miami Gardens, Florida. Miami defeated Oklahoma 21-20. (Photo by Doug Benc/G

2009 Stats: 261-449, 3,198 yards, 26 TDs, 14 INTs

When Sam Bradford went down in the first game of the 2009 season, it was the beginning of a stunning free-fall for Oklahoma.

But one bright spot from the disappointing season in Norman was the fantastic play of then-redshirt freshman Landry Jones, who showed he can be the next big-time QB for Bob Stoops.

Jones stepped in and played well for a QB seeing his first action as a redshirt freshman, having a near 2:1 TD-to-INT ratio, including throwing five TDs in a blowout win over Texas A&M.

But he also had his rough patches, including throwing five INTs in the loss at Nebraska in early November.

Still, he, like Barkley, has gotten a year under his belt to learn the speed of the game.

And his favorite target, Ryan Broyles, is the type of receiver that can make a good QB look like a star player.

There is no doubt that Landry Jones is capable of big things in Norman, and might have a shot at a Heisman if big things happen in his second year as a starter.

3. Ryan WIlliams, RB Virginia Tech

Highlights of Ryan Williams from his 2009 season.

2009 Stats: 293 carries, 1,655 yards, 21 TDs

When starting RB Darren Evans went down before the start of the 2009 season, many thought that VT was going to have issues running the football.

But it turns out that they had another horse in the barn in Ryan Williams, who exploded onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2009.

Williams had ten games of over 100 yards rushing in 2009, including rushing for over 100 yards against a very stingy Nebraska defense led by DT Ndamukong Suh.

And for a freshman running back, averaging 5.6 yards a carry is a spectacular number.

With Evans returning from his injury, Williams will probably have a diminished number of carries, but a back like him is more than capable of making each of his carries count, especially in VT's run heavy offense.

Another great year by Williams could give the Hokies their first ever Heisman Trophy winner.

2. Andrew Luck, QB Stanford

Highlights from the redshirt freshman season of Stanford QB Andrew Luck.

2009 Stats: 162-288, 2,575 yards, 13 TDs, 4 INTs

Many are already talking about Andrew Luck as a future No. 1 pick in whichever NFL Draft he goes enters.

And some of that praise is merited. As a young QB, Luck kept from turning the football over, throwing only four interceptions in his first year of action.

Luck shows tremendous footwork and a great awareness of the field. He is also big at 6'4'' and around 235 lbs.

With Toby Gerhart graduating after a spectacular 2009 season that almost won him a Heisman, all eyes will be on Luck in Palo Alto, especially those at the Downtown Athletic Club.

Luck was never asked to be "the guy," as Stanford was a very good running team in 2009 with Gerhart being the workhorse.

But he showed that he can have the explosive game, including a game against Arizona in which he threw for 423 yards and three TDs in a losing effort.

Luck may have more upside than any player in the country right now, and if he lives up to it this season, he could very well get a Heisman.

1. Dion Lewis, RB Pittsburgh

Highlights from the final games of the 2009 season for Dion Lewis.

2009 Stats: 325 carries, 1,799 yards, 18 total TDs

Don't be fooled by his small size; at 5'8'' and just under 200 lbs, Pitt's Dion Lewis may very well be the best running back in the country going into his second season.

The third-leading rusher in the country, Lewis went from virtual unknown to highlight reel regular in the amount of time it takes for him to run past defenses.

Lewis ran for over 100 yards ten times in 2009, including a spectacular performance in a losing effort to Cincinnati on the final day of the regular season, in which he had an amazing 47 carries for 194 yards and three touchdowns.

The pressure will be on him to repeat or even exceed those numbers, which would put him in the elite company of fellow Pitt alum Tony Dorsett who went on to have a Hall of Fame career in the NFL.

He will need to be spectacular again if Pitt has dreams of winning the Big East and getting back to the BCS for the first time since the 2005 Fiesta Bowl.

If he can be great again in 2009, Lewis, who Sporting News dubbed "the most complete back in college football," could receive the Heisman Trophy down in New York City this December.