SEC Football: Breaking Down Athlon's Top 25 SEC Heisman Contenders

The college football season is right around the corner, and what better way to get through the offseason than predicting who's going to win the Heisman?

The good folks over at Athlon Sports are breaking down the top 25 Heisman contenders for each conference.

Athlon released its list of SEC Heisman hopefuls on Monday, and it contains a few surprises. Here are a few things that stood out to me.

Aaron Murray Higher than Tyler Wilson?

Tyler Wilson accomplished a lot last year, and he did so with very little help from his offensive line and with a running game that never found its identity after Knile Davis was lost for the season.

Wilson threw for 489 more yards than Murray (3,638 to 3,149) despite playing in one fewer game, threw eight fewer interceptions and was more efficient than the Georgia signal-caller. Yet Wilson finds himself one spot behind Murray on the list at No. 3. 

Yes, it's true that Wilson lost three stud wide receivers, but Arkansas gets back wide receiver Cobi Hamilton and tight end Chris Gragg—both of whom finished last season with more than 500 receiving yards each. Suspended wide receiver Marquel Wade—who emerged as a weapon this spring—is still not taking part in football activities, but he's enrolled in school, which means that door isn't closed. 

But it's the presence of Davis, who led all SEC running backs in rushing in 2010 with 1,322 yards, that will make the biggest impact for the Hogs. Davis' ability to keep defenses honest will take some pressure off of Wilson and give him more time to find open receivers—which do still exist in Fayetteville.

On top of that, the absence of head coach Bobby Petrino will be minimal due in large part to the veteran leadership on the roster and the ability of offensive coordinator Paul Petrino to replicate his brother's game plans. Bobby Petrino was a great play-caller for Arkansas, but if there's anyone on the planet who can come close to replicating that success, it's Paul Petrino—who has been with Bobby on coaching staffs for the better part of the past decade.

Nothing against Murray. He's a great quarterback and is set for a fantastic season, but Wilson is more talented, has more weapons and is in a better system (even without Bobby Petrino).

Too Much Love for Lacy

I get it—Alabama has turned into a hotbed for running backs lately, and Eddie Lacy is next in line to that throne. But he shouldn't be at No. 5, one spot above the aforementioned Knile Davis, before even taking a snap as the true every-down running back.

That's not to say that Lacy can't handle the pounding; he might be able to. But let's hold off on anointing him as the next coming of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson until he proves it on a week-in and week-out basis.

After all, he only has 325 career rushing yards vs. SEC teams, and 562 of his 674 yards last season came after Alabama had already built a lead of at least eight points.

Appreciation for Clowney and Jones

Will a lineman on either side of the ball win the Heisman Trophy in the future? It's unlikely. But if it were to happen, South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (No. 7) and Alabama center Barrett Jones (No. 8) are two very good candidates.

Clowney eased into college ball in 2011 to the tune of eight sacks—two shy of South Carolina's single-season record of 10. With Melvin Ingram gone, the Gamecocks are counting on Clowney to be one of the bookends on that defensive line opposite Devin Taylor, and to drop down to tackle to avoid double-teams. The sophomore is set up for a stellar year in 2012.

Jones has played guard and tackle during his career and excelled at both. The senior took home the Outland Trophy while playing left tackle during Alabama's title run in 2011. He moved two spots over on the line to center this season and is arguably the most talented member of Alabama's talent-laden offensive line.

Are either Clowney or Jones going to win the Heisman Trophy in 2012? I doubt it. But the mission statement of the Heisman Trust states that the award is supposed to go to "the most outstanding player in college football," and both Clowney and Jones have a chance to be just that.

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