College Football 2011: Russell Wilson and 10 Under-the-Radar Heisman Candidates

The 2011 College football Heisman candidates are presumed to be Andrew Luck, LaMichael James and Landry Jones.

Who are the next wave of candidates that will fly under the radar? There are 5-10 players that are in that next wave.

These players will not only need to put up great statistical numbers but be on a team that has a chance for a BCS bowl game.

Here are my 10 under-the-radar Heisman candidates.

No 10: Ronnie Hillman, Running Back, San Diego State

The San Diego State Aztecs were 9-4 in 2010. Ronnie Hillman had an outstanding freshman season, rushing for 1,532 yards and 17 touchdowns.

If San Diego State can have an improved season, which may surprise people, he has a chance to be in consideration for a Heisman finalist.

1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns in a freshman season is very impressive. You would believe that he can only get better.

The Aztecs will probably not have a chance to be a BCS team, hurting his chances.

My 2011 Prediction: 1,600 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns

No 9: Robert Griffin III, Quarterback, Baylor

Robert Griffin III threw for 3,501 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2010. He also ran for 635 yards and eight touchdowns.

Depending on Baylor and their record at the end of the season, Griffin III could be a candidate for the Heisman. The Bears were 7-6 last season, a record that would need to significantly be better in 2011.

My 2011 Prediction: 3,700 yards passing and 32 combined touchdowns

No 8: Justin Blackmon, Wide Receiver, Oklahoma State

Justin Blackmon had 111 receptions and 20 touchdowns in 2010. He benefited from quarterback Brandon Weeden and Weeden benefited from a receiver as great as Blackmon.

He collected 1,782 yards and 16.1 yards per catch last season.

If Oklahoma State can have a great year in the Big 12, both Weeden and Blackmon should be in consideration for the Heisman.

My 2011 Prediction: 110 receptions and 21 touchdowns

No 7: Ryan Lindley, Quarterback, San Diego State

Ryan Lindley will need to see his San Diego State team have a great season if he plans to be a true Heisman candidate.

He threw for 3,830 yards, 28 TDs and 14 INTs in 2010. His interception rate will need to be cut in half if he wants a legitimate shot at being a candidate.

The Aztecs were 9-4 in 2010, with a season-ending 35-14 Poinsetta bowl victory over Navy. Their record will need to improve significantly for him to have a chance.

My 2011 Prediction: 4,000 yards passing, 33 TDs and 10 INTs

No 6: Marcus Lattimore, Running Back, South Carolina

Marcus Lattimore had a fantastic freshman season rushing for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2010. If he can repeat or improve on his statistics in his sophomore season, Lattimore could surprise some people.

If he can improve on his pass catching numbers (29 receptions, 2 TDs) he could become an all-around back in the SEC.

Also, putting up solid numbers against SEC competition could bode well for his chances if everything falls into place.

My 2011 Prediction: 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns

No 5: Aaron Murray, Quarterback, Georgia

As a freshman, Aaron Murray threw for 24 TDs and eight INTs.

He threw for 3,049 yards while completing 61.1 percent of his passes.

24 TDs in his freshman season is fantastic. He should be able to improve on his statistics, barring a sophomore slump.

If Georgia comes back and has a strong season, Murray may surprise some people with his numbers.

My 2011 Prediction: 3,500 yards, 30 TDs and nine INTs

No 4: Geno Smith: Quarterback, West Virginia

Geno Smith may be able to fly under-the-radar while his West Virginia Mountaineers take a run at the Big East crown.

With the Big East being one of the weaker BCS conferences in the country, the Mountaineers have a chance to be a top-five team in the country by seasons end.

Smith threw for 2,763 yards, 24 TDs and seven INTs in 2010.

He will have another year under his belt, which will probably increase his overall statistics. Being on a team that most people believe to be the best in the Big East will allow him to be in the discussion for the Heisman. 

My 2011 Prediction: 3000 yards passing, 30 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

No 3: Brandon Weeden, Quarterback Oklahoma State

Brandon Weeden has thrown 38 touchdown passes in his career, 34 came in 2010. If he can improve on his 13 interceptions, Weeden may be looking at a great statistical 2011 campaign.

Weeden completed 67 percent of his passes, while collecting 4,277 yards in 2010.

He will turn 28 years old in October.

Could we have another Chris Weinke on our hands? Weinke was the oldest person to win the Heisman Trophy after winning it in 2000 at the age of 28.

My 2011 Prediction: 4,500 yards, 36 TDs and nine INTs

No 2: Darron Thomas, Quarterback, Oregon

Darron Thomas will fly under-the-radar because he isn't the best player on the Oregon Ducks offense. LaMichael James was a Heisman candidate last season therefore he is many people's pre-season Heisman candidate from Oregon this season.

This will allow Thomas to slide and creep his name into contention, if the Ducks have another season like 2010.

Thomas scored 35 total touchdowns in 2010, 30 through the air and five on the ground. He threw for 2,881 yards last season.

The Ducks' offense will allow Thomas to put up big numbers, barring an injury. This will allow him to be in contention at the end of the 2011 season.

My 2011 Prediction: 3,000 yards passing and 37 total touchdowns

No 1: Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Wisconsin

Russell Wilson wanted to give baseball a try after he was drafted in the fourth round of the MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies.

NC State wanted Wilson to be dedicated to one sport—football. They released him of his scholarship.

Baseball hasn't worked out so well for Wilson. He is back into the college football game for one season. He chose Wisconsin, a team that is consistently in the Top 15 every year.

Wilson had a decent chance of being a dark-horse candidate at NC State, but now that he is with Wisconsin, he is a real threat.

If you ask college football fans who their Heisman candidates are for 2011 most people would say Andrew Luck, LaMichael James and Landry Jones, but let's throw Wilson into the discussion.

He threw for 3,563 yards, 28 TDs and 14 INTs in 2010. He will need to improve on his completion percentage (58.4) and interceptions.

Wisconsin will be solid once again in 2011, and Wilson will have a chance to lead the Badgers to a national championship.

My 2011 Prediction: 4,000 yards, 36 TDs and eight INTs