The Top 6 Future Heisman Trophy Contenders from the 2012 Recruiting Class

Figured we'd take a stab and just have some fun with this piece, where we're going to talk Heisman. No, not 2012 Heisman.

2015 Heisman.

Yeah, we're going there. Who's going to win it that comes out of the 2012 recruiting class? Which recruits are in prime positions to take the trophy home in four years?

Let's take a look and find out, shall we?

6. Gunner Kiel, QB (Notre Dame)

A top-flight, highly coveted QB that goes to Notre Dame will always be in the Heisman talk. It occurred with Jimmy Clausen, and the same will happen with Gunner Kiel.

What I like so much about this is Kiel is already at Notre Dame and will be able to compete for time immediately. Plus, he's a solid fit in Brian Kelly's offense, and it all just has the makings of a great setup a few years down the line.

5. Dorial Green-Beckham, WR (Missouri)

DGB already has a ton of hype, so that's a good start for a Heisman campaign. Then you get to the fact he's a 6'6", 220-pound WR that will be playing in the SEC—another good sign.

He'll be playing in an offense that loves to throw the ball and with James Franklin for a few years. Toss in the other young QBs at Missouri like Maty Mauk, and you see DGB likely will have some good numbers to make a push.

4. Stefon Diggs, WR

Now, having one WR on this list is a bit of a stretch, but having two is crazy, I know. That's because the Heisman is usually a QB/RB-driven award.

However, Stefon Diggs should be a great all-around player, which I think will help his cause. Diggs can play WR, RB and both KR and PR.

He'll dazzle with highlight plays and should get himself into the race.

3. Keith Marshall, RB (Georgia)

Marshall will be in a great spot for UGA in a few years.

He'll get his feet wet and team up with Isaiah Crowell for a year or two, and then by the time he's a senior, he'll be known around the country and have the backfield to himself to rip up the SEC.

Think a similar career timeline to Montee Ball at Wisconsin. Ball was a Heisman finalist this past year.

2. Johnathan Gray, RB (Texas)

Pretty much the same idea as with Marshall. Johnathan Gray will team up with Malcolm Brown, will already be a known player around the country and then come into his own as a junior or senior and be in the mix.

If he even scratches what he did in high school, he'll be in the talk. I have big expectations for Gray at Texas.

1. Jameis Winston, QB (Florida State)

I think Florida State is loaded with talent, young talent. Well, I don't think that—it's a known fact. But you know what I mean.

With so much talent, the 'Noles are going to be winning a lot of games. You win a lot of games, you get a high ranking. You get a high ranking, you get into the national spotlight.

You get into the national spotlight, people want to know who the QB of your team is. QBs of highly ranked teams in the national spotlight that win a lot of games always get into the Heisman race.

That'll be Jameis Winston.