2012 Heisman Watch: Power Ranking the Top 50 Candidates for the Award

Trying to predict Heisman winners before the start of the college football season is no easy feat. If you want proof of that, then just look at the last three players who took home college football’s most prestigious award.

No one could have predicted that players like Robert Griffin III, Cam Newton and Mark Ingram would rise up and perform at the level they did during their respective Heisman campaigns.

Last year, many experts and analysts spent the entire summer pumping up QB Andrew Luck as an almost mythical figure, who was basically guaranteed a Heisman Trophy. But to Luck’s chagrin, Robert Griffin III came along and proved to be the more deserving candidate.

RG3 is the latest example that shows us that trying to pinpoint a Heisman winner before the season actually gets underway is certainly an inexact science.

Still, that won’t stop the preseason prognostication from happening yet again this offseason, as it’s now USC QB Matt Barkley who will assume Luck’s role as the heavy Heisman favorite going into the 2012 season.

Barkley deserves the credit and the publicity, however, as we’ve seen in recent years, there's certainly no guarantee that he’ll be the one who ends up on the stage in New York City in December.

So who are the biggest threats to the Trojans signal-caller?

Here’s a look at the top 50 candidates for the 2012 Heisman Trophy.

1. QB Matt Barkley, USC

Matt Barkley must have looked at Andrew Luck last summer and said to himself, man, it must be pretty fun to be the golden boy of college football, because Barkley opted to pass up the chance to be a Top 10 pick in the 2012 NFL draft to return to USC and assume Luck's position as the sport's biggest star. 

Barkley will get the chance to be Mr. College Football for the next few months as his face is sure to be plastered all over magazine covers and ESPN features this offseason, just as Luck's was in 2011. 

The senior signal-caller will enter the season as both the front-runner for the 2012 Heisman Trophy and the favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2013 NFL draft.

What has to have Barkley really excited, though, is that he'll have the opportunity to lead a team that looks like it's built to win a national championship next season. 

After throwing for over 3,500 yards and 39 touchdowns last year and leading USC to its first double-digit win season since 2008, Barkley now has everyone's attention.

He also has plenty of expectations to live up to.

The pressure will be squarely on Barkley's shoulders to live up to the massive amount of hype he's sure to garner this summer, but he's the type of cerebral and competitive leader who should be able to handle it all and continue to thrive. 

If Barkley plays up to his potential and leads the Trojans to a Pac-12 championship and a spot in the BCS championship game, it'll be difficult for any other player to overtake him in the Heisman race.

2. QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas

All Tyler Wilson did in his first year as a starter was step in for Ryan Mallett and proceed to throw for over 3,600 yards while leading Arkansas to an 11-2 season and a Top 5 national ranking in the final polls.

Wilson managed to do all of that without having the Razorbacks' most dangerous offensive weapon, RB Knile Davis, at his disposal. With Davis set to return after an ankle injury sidelined him for 2011, the Arkansas offense has the chance to have one of the most explosive attacks in the country next season.

Sure, losing three receivers like Jarius Wright, Joe Adams and Greg Childs definitely hurts, but the Razorbacks still have two of the best receiving options in the country in WR Cobi Hamilton and TE Chris Gragg. 

Wilson will have the surrounding cast needed to have Arkansas in the hunt with LSU and Alabama to win the SEC West. If he can find a way to lead the Razorbacks to an SEC championship while putting up solid stats, there's no reason that Wilson shouldn't earn an invitation to New York City in 2012. 

3. RB De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon

When De'Anthony Thomas announced that he had spurned USC for Oregon, Ducks fans certainly had a reason to celebrate, as they all knew that they had just landed one of the most explosive prospects in the 2011 recruiting class. 

Chip Kelly instantly found a variety of different ways to flaunt Thomas' game-changing speed last season, as the 5'9'', 160-pound sophomore proved to be a versatile weapon for the Oregon offense.

In his first year in a Ducks uniform, Thomas showed how dangerous he could be as both a runner and a receiver, as he totaled 1,200 yards of total offense and scored 16 touchdowns. He also led the Pac-12 with a 27.3 average on kickoff returns and brought two returns back to the house for touchdowns. 

Besides, Clemson WR Sammy Watkins, no other freshman could compare to Thomas in 2011. 

Now, with LaMichael James gone, Thomas will be asked to become an even bigger factor for Oregon's offense, as he teams with fellow RB Kenjon Barner to try to keep Oregon's dynamic rushing attack going at full speed.

Given the way he performed as a freshman, Thomas looks like he should be one of the most exciting playmakers in college football next season. If he can build on the numbers he put up last year, and if he can help the Ducks win a Pac-12 championship, the Black Mamba should start to hear some serious Heisman buzz surrounding his name in 2012. 

4. QB Denard Robinson, Michigan

Michigan QB Denard Robinson won't have to wait long to make a statement to Heisman voters next season. The Wolverines open up their 2012 campaign against defending national champion Alabama at Cowboys Stadium, which is a contest that promises to be one of the biggest spotlight games of the season. 

If Robinson can take advantage of that stage and perform well against the Tide's stingy defense, he's going to build a ton of momentum early in the year. 

Even though the Wolverines have some holes to fill in the trenches on both sides of the ball, this is a team that looks like it's ready to contend for a Big Ten championship, especially after the 11-2 run they had in 2011. 

While the defense played a key role in the team's success last year, Robinson was the true star of the show, as the dangerous dual-threat signal-caller totaled 3,349 yards of total offense and accounted for 36 touchdowns last season. 

Now that he has a better feel for Al Borges' offensive system, and now that he'll have another offseason to work on his passing skills, Robinson should be ready to shine once again as a senior in 2012. 

With matchups against Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan State, Nebraska and Ohio State all on the slate, Shoelace should have plenty of opportunities to impress Heisman voters. 

If Robinson can lead the Wolverines to a Big Ten championship and back to a BCS bowl game next season, he should finally get an invitation to New York City in 2012.

5. RB Montee Ball, Wisconsin

It didn't seem like Montee Ball had anything left to prove at Wisconsin, which is why most people expected him to throw his hat in the ring for the 2012 NFL draft. 

Ball must have felt that he had unfinished business in Madison, though, as he passed up the chance to be a second-round pick in order to return to the Badgers' backfield for one final go-around. 

It's hard to see Ball topping the sensational breakout performance he enjoyed in 2011, as he accounted for 2,286 yards of offense and 40 touchdowns and finished fourth in the Heisman voting. However, if he can find a way to recapture the magic he had last year, he could very well end up right back in New York City in 2012. 

The problem is, Ball will now be the unquestioned focal point of the Wisconsin offense, and since the Badgers won't have a quarterback like Russell Wilson to keep defenses honest, many teams will key in to try to stop the 5'11'', 210-pound senior. 

Still, it didn't seem like many defenses could slow down Ball last year no matter how hard they tried. If he can get strong play from his offensive line in 2012, Ball should be able to do plenty of damage in his final season of action, as he teams up once again with James White to give the Badgers one of the best backfield duos in the country for the upcoming season.

6. QB Aaron Murray, Georgia

Georgia's season may have started off pretty shaky last year, as the Bulldogs began the year 0-2 with two tough losses to Boise State and South Carolina. But QB Aaron Murray was able to rally the team to win 10 straight games and earn an SEC East division title.

Things may not have ended well for Murray and the Bulldogs, as they ended up losing their final two games of the year to LSU and Michigan State, but they do have all the pieces returning to make a run back to Atlanta in 2012. 

Murray proved last year that he's one of the best offensive players in the SEC, as the 6'1'', 211-pound junior threw for over 3,100 yards and 35 touchdowns. 

Although Murray will miss tight end Orson Charles, he'll have two terrific receivers to throw to in Tavarres King and Malcolm Mitchell and a talented running back, Isaiah Crowell, lining up behind him. 

If Murray can lead the Bulldogs back to the SEC championship game in 2012, he should be right in the running to earn an invitation to New York City. 

7. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia

Geno Smith seems like the perfect type of strong-armed, decisive quarterback to lead Dana Holgorsen's pass-happy attack. Smith proved that he was a great fit for Holgorsen's system last year when he threw for over 4,300 yards and 31 touchdowns and led the Mountaineers to a Big East championship and a BCS bowl victory. 

Smith's performance in the Orange Bowl, when he led West Virginia to a dominant 70-33 victory over Clemson, caught everyone's attention, and Big 12 defenses now realize that they're going to have their hands full trying to contain the Mountaineers offense in 2012.

The 6'3'', 214-pound senior will have two very dangerous receivers, Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, at his disposal in his final season, and the Mountaineers will definitely have the type of offensive firepower it takes to compete for a Big 12 championship in 2012. 

If Smith puts up similar numbers to the ones he put up last season, and if he can lead West Virginia to a Big 12 title in its first year in the conference, he should definitely capture the attention of Heisman voters. 

8. RB Joseph Randle, Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State fans may be a bit concerned about losing the powerful passing combination of QB Brandon Weeden and WR Justin Blackmon, but Cowboys fans can at least take solace in the fact that their offense will feature one of the most explosive running backs in the country next season. 

Last year, Joseph Randle stepped in for Kendall Hunter and excelled in his first year in the starting lineup, rushing for over 1,200 yards, hauling in 43 passes for 266 yards and scoring 26 total touchdowns. 

Randle ran for over 100 yards in six different games in 2011.

The 6'1'', 191-pound junior showed that he's the type of home-run threat that can cause fits for a defense. 

With Weeden and Blackmon both gone, Randle will now become the focal point of the Oklahoma State offense, and it should be interesting to see what type of big numbers he'll be capable of putting up in 2012. 

Even if Randle doesn't take home the Heisman next season, he's still got a great shot to be the first running back picked in the 2013 NFL draft if he decides to declare. 

9. QB A.J. McCarron, Alabama

With star RB Trent Richardson and Alabama's dominant defense leading the way for the Tide last season, all QB A.J. McCarron had to do in 2011 was play efficient football and not make any crucial mistakes. But now, with Richardson gone, and the defense in need of some patching up, McCarron will be asked to be Alabama's true leader next season. 

Given the type of performance he had in the BCS championship game against LSU's tenacious defense, though, it seems like the 6'4'', 205-pound junior is ready for his new role. In his first year as a starter, McCarron completed 67 percent of his passes for over 2,600 yards and only tossed five interceptions. 

The former 4-star recruit is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country, and now that he has a year of starting experience under his belt, McCarron looks like he's ready to take his game to the next level in 2012. 

It certainly won't be easy to get through the SEC West next season, but if McCarron can lead the Tide to a conference championship in his junior campaign, he's going to earn a lot of respect from Heisman voters.

10. QB Landry Jones, Oklahoma

Landry Jones was on the short list of Heisman favorites at the start of the 2011 season, as he was the face of the consensus No. 1-ranked team in the country. However, an embarrassing home loss to Texas Tech destroyed both Oklahoma's national championship dreams and Jones' Heisman hopes. 

While the Sooners finished the year with a respectable 10-3 record, the season was still considered a major disappointment.  

Jones did manage to throw for over 4,400 yards and 29 touchdowns, even though he didn't have his top receiver Ryan Broyles for the final few games of the year. However, it was his 15 interceptions and bad performances in key games against Florida State, Baylor and Oklahoma State that are cause for concern. 

The 6'4'', 229-pound senior signal-caller made the wise decision to return to Norman for one more year, as his pro stock took quite a hit last season. 

Still, with the type of talent Oklahoma has returning for 2012, Jones should have the Sooners back in the hunt to win a Big 12 championship next season, and possibly even a national title as well. 

11. QB Keith Price, Washington

Keith Price quickly had Washington fans asking, "Jake who?" last season when he stepped in for Jake Locker and flourished in his first season as a starter. Price completed 67 percent of his passes for over 3,000 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2011. 

His biggest highlight of the season came when he out-dueled Heisman-winner Robert Griffin III in the Alamo Bowl, throwing for 438 yards and four touchdowns in a wild 67-56 loss. 

It's that performance that now has many people around Seattle wondering if Price could be the 2012 version of RG3. 

While he isn't nearly the same caliber of runner that Griffin is, the 6'1'', 195-pound junior should be able to put up similar passing statistics if he can get some help from his surrounding cast, mainly WR Kasen Williams and TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins.

Since Washington isn't likely to be in contention for the Pac-12 championship next season, Price may not stand much of a chance of actually winning the award in 2012, but don't be surprised if you hear his name in the conversation midway through the season. 

12. WR Robert Woods, USC

Robert Woods may be the best wide receiver in college football, but what really hurts his Heisman chances is that he happens to play on the same team as the best quarterback in the country, Matt Barkley. 

Barkley will likely soak up most of the spotlight in 2012, but Woods will play an integral role in USC's championship chase as well. Last year, the 6'1'', 180-pound junior was Barkley's go-to target, as he hauled in 111 passes for 1,292 yards and 15 touchdowns. 

Woods is the type of dangerous receiving threat that can embarrass any secondary he goes up against, however, it's going to be hard for him to pass Barkley in the Heisman race, as quarterbacks tend to get the most glory. 

13. CB Tyrann Mathieu, LSU

While I didn't feel that Tyrann Mathieu deserved to be a Heisman finalist over Matt Barkley last year, I still thought that Mathieu was one of the most impressive defensive performers in college football in 2011. 

Sure, the Honey Badger hype was a little overblown, as we found out in the BCS championship game when Mathieu forgot to show up against Alabama. But the talented and feisty corner still proved to be a key player for one of college football's strongest defenses last year. 

The 5'9'', 175-pound junior finished the season with 70 tackles, five fumble recoveries, two interceptions and he was a valuable asset as a punt returner as well, taking two punts back to the house for scores. 

Mathieu will have a tough time replicating the special season he had last year, especially since he won't have fellow corner Mo Claiborne on the other side of the field to balance things out. But he should once again be one of the premier defenders in college football, and he'll again be one of the key players for an LSU defense that should be one of the most stout units in the country in 2012. 

14. WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson

It's not as if Sammy Watkins exactly came out of nowhere last year, as Watkins arrived at Clemson as a highly touted 5-star prospect. But I don't think anyone expected that the Florida native would step in and make the kind of immediate impact he did as a freshman in 2011. 

In his first season as a Tiger, Watkins hauled in 82 passes for 1,219 yards, ran the ball 32 times for 231 yards and added a spark in the return game, averaging 25 yards per kickoff return. By the time the season ended, the 6’1’’, 180-pound sophomore had accumulated 2,297 total yards and accounted for 13 touchdowns. 

Watkins' sensational performance was one of the major reasons why Clemson was able to win the ACC in 2011 and make it to the first ever BCS bowl game in school history.

The speedy playmaker may not be able to catch any teams off guard like he did last year. But even though more defenses will be looking to shut him down in 2012, Watkins still has the chance to be one of the most productive receivers in the country next season.

15. RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina

After taking the SEC by storm as a freshman in 2010, Marcus Lattimore's encore performance sadly got cut short by a knee injury in 2011, as Lattimore went down for the year with an ACL tear just seven games into the season. 

Still, even though he only carried the ball 163 times, the powerful 6'1'', 232-pound junior sill proved to be a rushing force, as he ran for 818 yards and scored 11 total touchdowns before getting hurt. If Lattimore can fully rehabilitate his knee and get back to full strength, he should be one of the most destructive offensive weapons in the SEC in 2012. 

South Carolina will have its focus set on getting back to Atlanta for the SEC championship next season, and if the Gamecocks want to make it there, they're going to need Lattimore to play a key part.

16. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State

Kansas State was the most surprising team of 2011, as the Wildcats finished with a 10-win campaign after starting off the year as an unranked afterthought. The player that played the most crucial role in the team's success was QB Collin Klein. 

Last year, Klein proved that he was one of the most dangerous running quarterbacks in the country, as he ran for over 1,100 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2011.

The 6'5'', 226-pound senior was basically the team's entire offense, as he accounted for 40 of the team's 52 touchdowns. 

If Klein can work on becoming a more consistent passer this offseason, he should be one of the most lethal and versatile offensive players in the country in 2012. 

17. QB E.J. Manuel, Florida State

Florida State entered the 2011 season as one of the top-ranked teams in the country, but by the time the year ended, the Seminoles were considered one of college football's biggest disappointments. 

The good news is, there's going to be a ton of talent back in Tallahassee yet again in 2012, and the Noles should be on the short list of national title contenders going into next season. 

The real X-factor for 2012 will be QB E.J. Manuel, who will hold the team's success in his hands. After showing glimpses of his enormous potential in spot duty during the first two seasons of his career, Manuel stepped into the starting role last year and had an up and down campaign.

Although he struggled at times, when the 6'5'', 245-pound senior was playing well, his tremendous physical skills were fully evident, as he completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,666 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Manuel has the type of supporting cast surrounding him to guide Florida State to big things in 2012, and an undefeated run to the BCS championship game is certainly a possibility. 

If he works on the weaknesses and flaws in his game over the offseason, and if he can learn how to stay consistent week in and week out, Manuel should be one of the biggest stars of the 2012 season. 

18. RB Knile Davis, Arkansas

After a breakout sophomore campaign, in which he ran for 1,322 yards and 13 touchdowns, Arkansas RB Knile Davis was set to be the SEC's leading returning rusher for the 2011 season. However, a freak preseason ankle injury robbed him of the chance to play last year. 

Now, after months of rehab, Davis will return to give Arkansas' running game, which ranked 9th in the SEC without him, a major boost. 

The 6'1'', 226-pound junior has a rare blend of size, speed, power, balance and vision, and if he's back to 100 percent, he should be one of the front-runners to win the SEC rushing crown in 2012. 

While QB Tyler Wilson would seem to have the better chance of winning the Heisman next season, if Davis can put up some monster numbers and help the Razorbacks win a conference championship, he'll definitely have his name mentioned in the conversation along with his backfield counterpart. 

Remember, we've seen quarterback-running back tandems from the same team like Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush and Jason White and Adrian Peterson both make the trip to New York City in recent years. 

19. QB Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville

The Big East has only produced one Heisman Trophy winner, Miami QB Gino Torretta in 1992, in the history of the league, and the conference hasn't sent a player to New York City since Pitt WR Larry Fitzgerald made the trip in 2003.

There are a few Big East players, though, that at least have the potential to cause some Heisman whispers next season, and the main one to watch will be Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater. 

Bridgewater, a former 4-star recruit from Miami who de-committed from the Canes to play for Charlie Strong at Louisville, came in and immediately made good on his high school hype as a freshman in 2011.

The highly touted signal-caller stepped into the starting role early in the season and helped guide the Cardinals to a 5-2 conference record, which earned the team a share of the Big East championship. 

The 6'3'', 205-pound sophomore has the potential to be one of the biggest stars in the conference next season.

If Bridgewater can lead Louisville to a Big East championship and a BCS bowl game in 2012, he should start to gain some real national attention. 

20. OT Barrett Jones, Alabama

Only four offensive linemen—Oklahoma C Kurt Burris (2nd place in 1954), Minnesota OG Tom Brown (2nd place in 1960), Ohio State OT Tom Hicks (2nd place in 1973) and Ohio State OT Orlando Pace (4th place in 1996)— have ever been in serious conversation for the Heisman Trophy. However, there is one offensive lineman who could deserve to at least be invited to New York City in 2012, and that's Alabama's Barrett Jones. 

Last year, Jones made the move from his natural guard position out to left tackle and handled it perfectly, as he opened up plenty of big holes for RB Trent Richardson to run through all season long. For his efforts, Jones won the prestigious Outland Trophy and earned numerous All-American honors.

After forgoing the chance to enter the 2012 NFL draft, the 6'5'', 302-pound senior will return to Alabama to lead the Tide line once again.

Whether he stays at left tackle, or ultimately makes the move to center to fill in for William Vlachos, Jones looks like he'll yet again be college football's most dominant offensive lineman in 2012.  

21. QB Tajh Boyd, Clemson

When Tajh Boyd played well last year, he was one of the top quarterbacks in the country, as he finished 10th in the nation with 3,828 passing yards and tossed 33 touchdowns. However, when Boyd struggled, like he did late in the season in losses to Georgia Tech, North Carolina State and South Carolina, he brought down the whole team. 

The key for Boyd in 2012 will be to stay consistent throughout the entire season and to step his game up against the toughest opponents. 

If the athletic 6'1'', 225-pound junior can do that, Clemson should be right back in the race for an ACC championship, and Boyd should be able to gain some Heisman attention. 

Teammate Sammy Watkins may overshadow him this offseason, but once the season starts, Boyd will have the chance to step up and make his presence felt in 2012. 

22. QB Casey Pachall, TCU

Judging from the early message board chatter, a lot of Big 12 fans don't seem to be too afraid of new member TCU, which makes me question if they were all watching the same team that I was in 2011.

The Horned Frogs that I saw rebounded after a wild shootout upset at Baylor in the season-opener to win 11 of their final 12 games, including an impressive win at Boise State late in the year. It was also a team that appeared to have the size, speed and strength to compete with basically any school in the country. 

Whether Big 12 fans want to admit it or not, TCU should be a serious threat in the conference in 2012, and one of the main reasons why is returning QB Casey Pachall. 

Last year, Pachall had the unenviable task of stepping in for Andy Dalton, one of the most consistent and successful quarterbacks in college football history, but he showed that he could handle the pressure. 

The 6'5'', 216-pound junior completed 66 percent of his passes for over 2,900 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2011, and he showed that he's got the type of size, arm strength, intelligence and awareness to develop into a star signal-caller. 

With three dangerous receivers—Josh Boyce, Brandon Carter and Sky Dawson, all returning, Pachall will have the type of weapons at his disposal to really show Big 12 teams what he's made of in 2012. 

23. RB Le’Veon Bell, Michigan State

Since long-time starting quarterback Kirk Cousins and most of the team's key receivers will all have to be replaced, Michigan State is likely going to turn to their running game much more often in 2012 to help new starter Andrew Maxwell ease into the offense. 

It's a good thing for the Spartans that they happen to have one of the most talented running backs in the country to lean on in Le'Veon Bell. 

Last year, Bell ran for 948 yards and 13 touchdowns, even though he only touched the ball 182 times. 

Now that he won't have to split carries with Edwin Baker, who left school early for the NFL, the powerful 6'2'', 237-pound junior will have more opportunities to assert his will on opposing defenses. 

If Michigan State finally wants to break through and win a Big Ten championship in 2012, the Spartans are going to need a big year out of Bell, and with the way things look now, they just might get it. 

24. RB Giovani Bernard, North Carolina

After missing his entire first season with an ACL injury in 2010, North Carolina RB Giovani Bernard came out and didn't miss a beat last year, as he looked exactly like the highly-rated recruit that Tar Heel fans were so excited to see before the injury.

This past season, Bernard totaled 1,615 yards of offense, scored 14 touchdowns and put constant stress on opposing defenses all year long.

The 5'10'', 205-pound sophomore has the speed and burst to cause havoc for defenses, and he's the type of versatile weapon that brings so much to an offense. 

With new coach Larry Fedora now at the helm, North Carolina could be a sleeper team in the ACC in 2012.

If the Tar Heels want to make a serious run at a conference championship, they're going to rely heavily on their top overall offensive playmaker, which means Bernard should have plenty of opportunities to show off his tremendous skills in 2012. 

25. QB Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

Since RB David Wilson, who led the ACC in rushing last year, has decided to move on to the NFL a year early, it will now be up to QB Logan Thomas to step up and become the key leader for the Virginia Tech offense next season. 

While Thomas endured a few bumps in the road in his first year as a starter in 2011, he did manage to guide the Hokies to 11 wins, an ACC Coastal division title and a berth in the Sugar Bowl. 

The big, mobile 6'6'', 255-pound junior threw for over 3,000 yards and accounted for 30 touchdowns in his first season at the helm, and that may have only simply been an introduction to what he's actually capable of. 

The Hokies will certainly miss Wilson in the backfield, but with Thomas in control of the offense, Virginia Tech should still be able to carve up plenty of defenses in 2012.  

26. RB Andre Ellington, Clemson

It's obvious that Andre Ellington learned a lot from former Clemson star running back C.J. Spiller during the one year he spent backing up Spiller in 2009, and he got to put all of those tricks to good use last season when he finally became the go-to back for the Tigers. 

Last year, Ellington showed off his game-breaking ability as he ran for over 1,100 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. 

The 5'10'', 190-pound senior proved to everyone in the ACC that he was one of the most explosive playmakers in the conference.

Now that he's decided to return to Clemson for one more year, Ellington looks poised to put together a highlight-filled campaign in 2012, which should include plenty of big runs. 

27. RB Rex Burkhead, Nebraska

Last year, Rex Burkhead proved to be a perfect fit for Nebraska's run-oriented offense, as the tough and powerful back bulldozed his way to 1,357 rushing yards, the third highest total in the Big Ten in 2011. 

Burkhead certainly seemed to be a worthy successor to Roy Helu, as he led the Cornhuskers with 17 total touchdowns. 

The 5'11'', 210-pound senior will once again join QB Taylor Martinez in the backfield to give Nebraska a dynamic 1-2 rushing punch for 2012. If Burkhead can build off last season's success, he should challenge Wisconsin's Montee Ball and Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell for the Big Ten rushing crown in 2012.

28. RB Cierre Wood, Notre Dame

Notre Dame may have some questions to answer at the quarterback position this offseason, but there's no question about who will be the Irish's top running back, as Cierre Wood is returning to South Bend after a breakout campaign in 2011. 

Last year, Wood ran for over 1,100 yards and nine touchdowns, and he proved to be one of Notre Dame's most valuable offensive playmakers. 

The 6'0'', 215-pound junior possesses a great blend of speed and power, and last year he really showed that he could be a special type of back. 

While Wood's Heisman hopes will depend on Notre Dame's ultimate success as a team next season, the former 4-star recruit appears to be in store for a big individual campaign in 2012. 

29. WR Marquess Wilson, Washington State

The Pac-12 will be home to some of the best wide receivers in college football next season, and one of those star pass-catchers will be Washington State's Marquess Wilson. 

After being shunned by most prominent west coast BCS schools as a 3-star prospect at California's Tulare Union high school, Wilson arrived in Pullman and immediately made Pac-12 teams sorry that they didn't pursue him. 

In his first two years at Washington State, Wilson has caught 137 passes for 2,394 yards and scored 18 touchdowns. The scary part is, now that Mike Leach is taking control of the offense, the 6'4'', 183-pound junior should be able to post the best numbers of his career next season, as Leach will constantly look to exploit Wilson's terrific talent in 2012.

While he may not have a real legitimate chance of winning the Heisman, Wilson should be one of the top prospects for the 2013 NFL draft if he decides to declare. 

30. QB James Franklin, Missouri

Since breakout star running back Henry Josey is likely going to have to be redshirted in 2012 after suffering a devastating knee injury late last season, there will be added pressure on QB James Franklin to produce at a high rate in 2012. 

Even though he'll be asked to perform at a higher level against better competition in the SEC East next season, given what we saw from Franklin last year, he should be up to the task. 

Last year, the dual-threat signal-caller totaled 3,846 yards of offense and accounted for 37 touchdowns, and he managed to do it going up against one of the toughest schedules in the country. 

The 6'2'', 225-pound sophomore definitely gave plenty of glimpses of his immense potential this past season, and with him back at the helm for 2012, the Tigers could surprise some folks in their new conference next season. 

If Josey can't go, that will be a tough blow for the Missouri offense, but with the addition of incoming 5-star receiver recruit Dorial Green-Beckham, Franklin will certainly have some dangerous weapons to work with in 2012.  

31. RB Fitzgerald Toussaint, Michigan

It's hard to gain a lot of attention and publicity when you play in the same backfield as a star quarterback like Denard Robinson, but Michigan RB Fitz Toussaint should have no trouble carving out a name for himself in the Big Ten next season. 

Last year, Toussaint ran for over 1,000 yards and scored 10 touchdowns, and during the latter part of the season, he proved to be just as valuable to the Michigan offense as Robinson was. 

The 5'10'', 200-pound sophomore should see his number of carries increase in 2012, and while he may not fully be able to step out of Robinson's shadow, Toussaint should be able to challenge for the Big Ten rushing title in 2012. 

32. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame

You won't find many defensive players in college football that are as scary and as intimidating as Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o. 

Te'o has kept the middle of the field on lock down for the Notre Dame defense for the past three years, and Irish fans couldn't be happier that he decided to pass up the NFL and return for his senior season. 

The former 5-star recruit has lived up to his huge high school hype, as he's totaled 320 tackles during his three years in an Irish uniform. Te'o will now be the star player for a Notre Dame defense that has the chance to be one of the strongest units in the country in 2012. 

While he may not be flashy enough to make a Tyrann Mathieu-like run to New York City next season, if Te'o can come up with a few game-changing plays and help Notre Dame get back into the BCS bowl picture, you could see a Heisman campaign sprout up in his honor in 2012. 

33. RB Stepfan Taylor, Stanford

Because he happened to play in the same backfield as one of the most hyped college football players of all time, Andrew Luck, Stanford RB Stepfan Taylor has been one of the most overlooked and underappreciated players in the country for the past two years. 

Over the past two seasons, Taylor has combined to rush for 2,467 yards and score 28 total touchdowns. 

Now with Luck gone, he'll be asked to be an even bigger part of the offense in 2012. However, given the type of durability that the 5'11'', 208-pound senior has shown during his career, he should have no problem handling a heavy workload next season. 

Taylor will miss linemen like David DeCastro and Jonathan Martin, two future first-round picks, to run behind, but he should still be able to plow through plenty of defenses in 2012. 

34. RB Ray Graham, Pittsburgh

Ray Graham only got to play eight games last year before a knee injury sidelined him for the rest of the season, but in those eight games, Graham made a huge impact, as he ran for 958 yards and scored nine touchdowns.

The 5'9'', 195-pound junior may not be one of the biggest backs in the country, but he is one of the most explosive, and he packs a surprising amount of power into his frame.

Graham is averaging a whopping 5.9 yards per carry for his career, and he's the type of back who's built to flourish in the type of offense that new Pitt coach Paul Chryst likes to run.

If he can get back to full health before the start of the season, Graham has to be considered the front-runner to win the Big East rushing title in 2012.  

35. QB Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

Many expected that QB Taylor Martinez would take the next step in his development in 2011 and ascend to star status, but Martinez just never seemed like he could be the true dual-threat quarterback that fans were hoping for. 

Martinez enjoyed a great year running the football, as he finished the season with 874 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

The athletic 6'1'', 200-pound junior failed to make the proper progress as a passer, though, as he only completed 56 percent of his attempts. 

The speedy signal-caller has gained plenty of critics over the last year. However, if Martinez can improve his passing this offseason, he should have the Cornhuskers right in the race to make it to the Big Ten championship game in 2012. 

36. RB Eddie Lacy, Alabama

Eddie Lacy is going to have some big shoes to fill in 2012, as he tries to replace last year's third-place Heisman finisher, Trent Richardson. However, Lacy looks like he has the type of talent it takes to handle the responsibility. 

While he may not turn into the true national star that Richardson and his predecessor Mark Ingram were when they were running wild in Tuscaloosa, Lacy is definitely capable of being the leader of a consistently successful rushing attack for Alabama.  

Last year, Lacy only touched the ball 95 times but he averaged 7.1 yards per carry and scored seven touchdowns. 

The 6'1'', 220-pound junior is a big back, who moves well for his size, and he should have plenty of room to run next season, as he'll have college football's top offensive line opening holes for him. 

If Lacy can clear up a turf toe issue that will keep him out of spring ball, he's got the chance to make a lot of noise in the SEC in 2012. 

37. WR Keenan Allen, Cal

If you were to build a perfect-looking wide receiver from scratch, chances are, it would probably bear a pretty strong resemblance to Cal's Keenan Allen. 

The 6'3'', 195-pound Allen has the size, the speed, the hands and the overall athleticism to make any cornerback that goes up against him look foolish.

The junior receiver proved that last year when he finished second in the Pac-12 behind USC's Robert Woods with 98 catches for 1,343 yards. 

Allen will be part of a strong offensive trio, which includes his half-brother QB Zach Maynard and RB Isi Sofele, that could help the Golden Bears make a surprising run in the Pac-12 North division in 2012. 

38. RB Malcolm Brown, Texas

Texas may have had some serious troubles at the quarterback position last season, but the Longhorns didn't seem to have much trouble finding a consistent running back. Malcolm Brown stepped in as a true freshman and proved why he deserved to be labeled as one of the top prospects in the 2011 recruiting class. 

Although he was limited in the second half of the season due to a turf toe issue, Brown was still able to show flashes of greatness early on, and he finished the year with a very respectable 742 rushing yards on just 172 carries. 

The 6'0'', 215-pound junior will be joined in the backfield by Joe Bergeron and highly touted running back recruit Johnathan Gray, who should both be able to take some of the burden off of Brown's shoulders, which should allow him to stay healthy. 

If Brown plays a full season injury-free in 2012, he should be one of the most productive backs in the Big 12.

39. RB Isaiah Crowell, Georgia

Isaiah Crowell arrived at Georgia as a heralded 5-star recruit, and because of the departures of the team's top two running backs, Washaun Ealey and Caleb King, he was asked to immediately prove his worth in 2011. 

Crowell stepped in and performed about as well Bulldogs fans could have hoped, as he ended up finishing sixth in the SEC with 850 rushing yards. 

The 5'11'', 215-pound sophomore has all the physical skills that you look for, and with a little more maturation and development, he should turn into one of the SEC's top running backs. 

While Crowell will have to share carries with incoming 5-star recruit Keith Marshall, he should still get enough touches next season to break the 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2012. 

40. DE Sam Montgomery, LSU

It's not often that you see a defensive lineman make it to New York City as a Heisman finalist, but it's not unprecedented, as DT Ndamukong Suh made the trip in 2009 after a huge senior campaign at Nebraska. 

One player who could have a Suh-type of dominant impact for his defense next season is LSU DE Sam Montgomery. 

While he didn't receive the same type of recognition as teammate Tyrran Mathieu did in 2011, Montgomery was just as an important figure for the Tigers defense last season. 

The 6'4'', 245-pound junior finished the year with nine sacks and 13 tackles for loss, and he was a constant presence in opposing backfields all season long. 

Montgomery will once again team with fellow standout end Barkevious Mingo to give LSU the top pair of defense ends in all of college football for 2012.

41. QB Tyler Bray, Tennessee

After two consecutive mediocre campaigns, Tennessee coach Derek Dooley is going to be on a short leash in Knoxville next season, and there won't be a lot of room for error. 

Luckily for Dooley, he'll have one of the top quarterbacks in the country, Tyler Bray, back to lead the Vols in 2012. 

Last year, Bray only played in seven games because of a hand injury, but when he was in the lineup, he was very impressive, throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and finishing the year with a 17-6 touchdown to interception ratio. 

The 6'6'', 210-pound junior is a prototypical pocket passer who will have NFL scouts paying close attention next season. 

With his two top receivers—Da'Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter—both back, Bray should be able to put up some big-time numbers in 2012. The question is, will he be able to pile up enough wins to become a serious Heisman contender?

42. RB John White, Utah

Utah's John White didn't receive nearly the same type of national praise as his Pac-12 counterpart LaMichael James did last season, but White did finish as a runner-up to James in the conference rushing race. 

The 5'8'', 186-pound junior became an instant star in Salt Lake City after transferring from the JUCO ranks, as White ran for 1,520 yards and scored 17 touchdowns in 2011. 

With QB Jordan Wynn back to join White in the backfield, the Utes should have one of the top quarterback-running back duos in the conference for 2012, and they may even be able to make South division favorite USC sweat a bit next season. 

43. RB Onterio McCalebb, Auburn

Auburn fans may be worried about losing star RB Michael Dyer, who followed former offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn to Arkansas State. However Dyer's replacement, Onterio McCalebb, helped to calm some of those concerns with an MVP performance in the Chick-fil-A Bowl. 

McCalebb is one of the fastest players in the country, and last year he showed that he could be a versatile weapon as both a runner and a receiver, as he totaled 985 yards of offense and scored seven touchdowns. 

The 5'10'', 170-pound senior will now be asked to become Auburn's key offensive weapon in 2012, and he should be able to thrive in the role, as he'll have one of the top offensive lines in the conference to open up holes for him. 

44. WR Tavon Austin, West Virginia

Last year, West Virginia WR Tavon Austin truly proved that he was an "all-purpose" threat, as Austin handled multiple roles as a runner, receiver and returner and found ways to help the Mountaineers in a big way in 2011. 

The 5'9'', 175-pound senior earned AP All-American honors for his performance last season, as he racked up 2,574 total yards and scored 11 touchdowns.

Austin's best performance came against Clemson in the Orange Bowl when he accounted for 173 total yards of offense and scored four touchdowns.

That performance gave the country a glimpse of what the explosive receiver was fully capable of.

With QB Geno Smith back to toss him the ball, Austin should once again be able to put up some eye-catching numbers as a multi-dimensional weapon in 2012.  

45. QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State

One of the most interesting storylines to follow next season will be how Ohio State QB Braxton Miller performs in new coach Urban Meyer's spread system. 

Miller is the type of athletic dual-threat quarterback who seems like he would be a perfect fit for Meyer's offense, but he's going to have a lot to learn this offseason, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the adjustment. 

It will also be interesting to see if the former 5-star recruit can improve his passing prowess before the start of the season, as there were only two games last year when Miller completed 10 or more passes.

If Meyer and Miller click and get on the same page, the Buckeyes offense should be one of the most explosive in the Big Ten in 2012, but it still remains to be seen just how well the 6'3'', 210-pound sophomore will handle the change. 

46. RB Silas Redd, Penn State

2012 is going to be a very odd season for the Penn State football program, as the Nittany Lions will still be in mourning after the passing of legendary coach Joe Paterno and they'll still have the Jerry Sandusky scandal hanging over the program. 

Still, that doesn't mean that the team won't be able to find success next season, as there are some key veterans returning on both sides of the ball for 2012. 

The most valuable offensive player will be RB Silas Redd, who finished fourth in the Big Ten with 1,241 rushing yards last season. 

The 5'10'', 209-pound Redd is a throwback style of back who possesses both power and quickness, and he should be the feature player for the offense once again in 2012. 

47. QB Connor Shaw, South Carolina

When troubled starting quarterback Stephen Garcia was kicked off the team midway through last season, many South Carolina fans wondered how the Gamecocks would respond. However, his replacement, Connor Shaw stepped in and helped keep the ship steady, as he led the team to a 7-1 record down the stretch run of the season. 

Shaw handled himself well, as he completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,448 yards and finished with a 14-6 touchdown to interception ratio. 

The 6'1'', 204-pound junior will now enter the 2012 season, knowing full well that he'll be the starter, which should definitely help him prepare. 

Shaw's got the talent to develop into one of the SEC's top quarterbacks, and if he can lead the Gamecocks to an SEC championship, he could gain some real Heisman buzz. 

48. RB Zac Stacy, Vanderbilt

When starting running back Warren Norman went down for the year with a leg injury last season, Vanderbilt needed a back to step up and take his place, and that's just what Zac Stacy did. 

Stacy became one of the biggest surprise stories in the SEC in 2011, as he stepped in for Norman and ran for 1,193 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2011. 

The strong and stocky 5'9'', 208-pound senior has the power and the toughness to go toe-to-toe with any SEC defense put in front of him. 

While Stacy will likely have to defer some carries to Norman next season, he should be in store for another highly productive campaign in 2012. 

49. RB Devonta Freeman, Florida State

One of the reasons that Florida State was so disappointing last season was the fact that the Seminoles could never get a truly effective rushing attack going. 

Last year, the Noles ranked 104th in the country in rushing offense, but that should change this year, as Chris Thompson is set to return from a back injury, and incoming 4-star recruit Mario Pender will be added to the mix. 

The one back in Tallahassee that has the chance to be a star in 2012, though, is Devonta Freeman. 

Last year, Freeman only touched the ball 120 times but he averaged 4.8 yards per carry and scored eight touchdowns. 

The 5'8'', 200-pound sophomore packs a ton of power into his small, sturdy frame, and if he gets more touches next season as expected, Freeman should have the chance to become a big name in the ACC in 2012. 

50. RB Johnathan Franklin, UCLA

Over the last two years, UCLA's Johnathan Franklin has been one of the best backs in college football that no one seems to ever talk about. During that time, Franklin has rushed for over 2,100 yards and scored 14 touchdowns, even though many defenses were focused on shutting him down. 

The 5'10'', 193-pound senior should have the best season of his career now that new coach Jim Mora is taking control of the Bruins. 

Franklin likely won't be able to make a serious push at a Heisman, since UCLA isn't expected to contend in the Pac-12 South division next season. But if he performs like he's capable of, the Los Angeles native will have the chance to really distinguish himself as one of the sport's upper echelon backs in 2012. 

Honorable Mention

QB Andrew Maxwell, Michigan State

QB B.J. Daniels, South Florida

QB Bryan Bennett, Oregon

QB Bryn Renner, North Carolina

QB Derek Carr, Fresno State

QB James Vandenberg, Iowa

QB Kain Colter, Northwestern

QB Mike Glennon, North Carolina State

QB Riley Nelson, BYU

QB Ryan Aplin, Arkansas State

QB Terrance Owens, Toledo

QB Tevin Washington, Georgia Tech

QB Zach Mettenberger, LSU

RB Cameron Marshall, Arizona State

RB David Sims, Georgia Tech

RB Ed Wesley, TCU

RB Henry Josey, Missouri

RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon

RB Montel Harris, Boston College

RB Robbie Rouse, Fresno State

RB Spencer Ware, LSU

WR Cobi Hamilton, Arkansas

WR Kenny Stills, Oklahoma

WR Matt Miller, Boise State

WR Odell Beckham Jr. LSU

WR Ryan Swope, Texas A&M

WR Terrance Williams, Baylor

DE Brandon Jenkins, Florida State

DE Corey Lemonier, Auburn

LB Jarvis Jones, Georgia 

LB Denicos Allen, Michigan State

CB David Amerson, North Carolina State