Matt Barkley and 10 Other Stars Who Will Rule College Football in 2012

Matt Barkley headlines the list of players who are going to have their way with the competition when the college football season kicks off on August 30th, 2012.

Barkley surprised many when he decided to return to USC for his senior season. He's been a full-fledged starter since his freshman year. If he had entered the 2012 NFL draft, he would be considered the No. 3 quarterback instead of Ryan Tannehill.

Barkley addressed that issue, via ESPN: "This 2012 team has some serious unfinished business to attend to and I plan to play a part in it...I have firmly decided to forgo the 2012 NFL draft and finish that."

No doubt a chance to win the 2012 Heisman Trophy played into his decision, as well.

Barkley enters this season as one of the favorites to win the award, and for good reason. He has all the physical tools of an elite NFL quarterback, and USC has incredible talent for him to work with. 

Last year, Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III dominated the college landscape. 

This is Barkley's year to shine.

Here are the top 10 other college players who will dominate the competition in 2012.

Montee Ball, Running Back, Wisconsin

Montee Ball is another preseason 2012 Heisman candidate with an excellent chance to take home the award.

He was a finalist last year, but unfortunately for him, he didn't have a chance. 

The going will be a bit tougher for Ball this year due to the fact that he's lost two of his best road graders in Kevin Zeitler and Peter Konz to the NFL draft. But if we've learned anything about Wisconsin over the years, it's that it pumps out NFL linemen like clockwork.

Last year, Ball narrowly missed rushing for 2,000 yards and rushed for a mind-boggling 33 touchdowns. Look for a similar performance from him this year, as he aims to prove he is better suited for the NFL than scouts give him credit for (h/t NFL.com).

Look for Ball to run angry all year long. He is going to be phenomenal, and if you haven't ever been a big fan of Wisconsin football, now is a good year to start watching.

Robert Woods, Wide Receiver, USC

Matt Barkley isn't going to win the Heisman all by himself. 

Robert Woods is the top receiver in the nation.

As a sophomore last year, Woods caught 111 passes for 1,292 yards and 15 touchdowns to lead the Pac-12. 

I don't see those numbers taking a hit. If anything, Woods will improve upon those incredible stats and establish himself as the premier receiver in the 2013 NFL draft.

At 6'1" and 180 pounds, Woods could use a bit more strength and bulk at the next level, but his natural athleticism and speed make him dynamic after the catch in the same way DeSean Jackson has been for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver, Clemson

Sammy Watkins blew the hinges off his first season with Clemson, hauling in 82 passes for 1,219 yards, running the ball 32 times for 231 yards and averaging 25 yards per kickoff return. 

By the time his season was over, he had amassed 2,297 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns. 

As a freshman.

Watkins is going to have an even greater impact in 2012 as the featured receiver in the Tigers offense. The expectations for him are sky-high, and he will exceed them all as he leads Clemson to an ACC championship.

Tyler Eifert, Tight End, Notre Dame

Notre Dame has another elite tight end prospect brewing. Kyle Rudolph will be breaking out with a huge season for the Minnesota Vikings in 2012, and Tyler Eifert is well on his way to joining him in the NFL next year.

For now, Eifert will have to content himself with dominating the college ranks.

At 6'6" and 250 pounds, Eifert is a player cast in the same mold as Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski. He will be a first-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, barring injury, and he enters the 2012 college football season as the clear-cut best tight end in the country.

Last year, Eifert hauled in 63 passes for 803 yards with five touchdowns. He will better those numbers easily this year as one of the focal points in Notre Dame's offense, which lost Michael Floyd to the NFL this year.

Sam Montgomery, Defensive End, LSU

LSU producing elite defensive linemen? Never heard that before.

Sam Montgomery is a monster on the edge of Les Miles' defense. He is the best defender on the field for the Tigers, Tyrann Mathieu notwithstanding. 

Last year, Montgomery dominated the SEC, hauling in 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He is explosive off the line, disruptive, knows how to use his hands and is generally a terror for opposing offensive tackles.

Additionally, Montgomery has the motor and determination to keep pushing till the final whistle. He is going to have a tremendous impact in every game this year, and I expect him to be the first defensive end taken off the board in the 2013 NFL draft.

Brandon Jenkins, Defensive End, Florida State

If there is player in the country that can challenge Sam Montgomery as the best defensive end, it's Brandon Jenkins out of Florida State.

Jenkins fell off the map a bit last year, posting eight sacks and 12 tackles for a loss after having a breakout season in 2010; he collected 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for a loss two years ago. 

He is an athletic freak in the same mold as Jason Pierre-Paul, albeit a bit smaller. At 6'3" and weighing in at 265 pounds, Jenkins projects as a tweener at the next level—able to play both defensive end and outside linebacker, depending on the scheme of the team that drafts him.

I predict Jenkins will remember what he's capable of and work out the kinks for a big-time year in 2012.

Manti Te'o, Middle Linebacker, Notre Dame

Manti Te'o enters the 2012 season as the best inside linebacker in the nation.

He is also the most intimidating player in the nation, and he is blessed with elite size and athleticism to go along with the temperament you're looking for as the leader of your defense.

At 6'2" and 255 pounds, Te'o moves around on the field like a safety. He is light on his feet, can accelerate quickly when he sees the play and has the speed to cover sideline to sideline.

A devastating tackler, Te'o puts the fear of God into his opponents. He is the favorite to win the Butkus Award this year, and I will be tuning in to the Notre Dame games this fall just to watch him play. 

Jarvis Jones, Outside Linebacker, Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs are going to have a fierce defense in 2012, and Jarvis Jones has everything to do with that fact.

He is another excellent linebacker prospect in the same mold as Rennie Curran and Justin Houston, both Georgia alumni. 

Last year, Jones lit up the SEC by tallying 19.5 tackles for a loss and 13.5 sacks to lead the conference. He is an elite 3-4 outside linebacker prospect with crazy speed and quickness off the edge, and I'm expecting him to outclass his 2011 season with an even bigger showing in 2012.

Look for Jones to establish himself as one of the nation's premier pass-rushers next year. He will likely be a top-10 pick in the 2013 NFL draft provided he stays healthy.

Tyrann Mathieu, Cornerback, LSU

Honey Badger takes what he wants. 

Tyrann Mathieu was so good as a sophomore that many fans wondered where he'd go in the 2012 NFL draft.

Mathieu is a tenacious defender that isn't afraid to mix it up with the biggest and best wide receivers in the country—never mind that he's only 5'9" and 175 pounds...soaking wet.

He only had one interception all year in 2011, but don't let that fool you—he is an excellent cover corner. Unfortunately for him, Mathieu may have trouble at the next level due to his size. But that isn't a concern this year. 

Bacarri Rambo, Safety, Georgia

Bacarri Rambo. What a name. He's a party animal and an elite warrior. OK, maybe I made the first part up. But Rambo is certainly a warrior.

He enters the 2012 season as the best safety in the nation.

A classic ball hawk—eight interceptions in 2011—Rambo is going to have a monster year for Georgia. Rambo isn't just a finesse player, though, and he loves to mix it up around and behind the line of scrimmage on running plays.

He possesses the size, athleticism and speed NFL scouts drool over and should find himself looking at a first-round grade at the end of the year.

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