Ohio State Super-Sophomore Terrelle Pryor Eyes the Prize

HD Handshoe - BlockONation.comMay 7, 2009

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford became just the second sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy last season.

Florida's Tim Tebow was the first, back in 2007.

Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor has a great chance of becoming the third.

It's obvious Pryor is a Heisman Trophy candidate for the 2009 season. How high or how low he will be in the voting will depend on several factors.

Pryor, who became the starter last season after the Buckeyes were blown out by USC, has shown flashes of how good he can become. He has the speed. He has the moxie. He may need to work on his accuracy, but he can and has improved by leaps and bounds on that already this offseason.

Since Beanie Wells is gone on to the NFL, the Buckeyes offense will center around and flow through Pryor.

That means coach Jim Tressel will call plays that will showcase Pryor's running and passing skills. OSU does have two solid running backs in Boom Herron and Brandon Saine, but Pryor is still the catalyst and will run the ball.

OSU will try to lean more to a passing attack, primarily because of the progression throwing the ball Pryor has shown, specifically in the Sprig game, and because of the depth and speed at the wide receiver position (Ray Small, DeVier Posey, Lamaar Thomas, Taurian Washington, etc.), giving Pryor even more opportunity to shine.

He showed his athletic and versatile abilities in the 2009 Fiesta Bowl against Texas, nearly leading OSU to the upset win. I can absolutely see him as a better passer this coming season, which will make him even more dangerous and difficult for defenses to game plan for him.

It doesn't hurt that he’s got a huge game with USC in week two. A win and impressive stats will go a long way in further establishing his Heisman candidacy.

With all of this said, all Pryor really has to do is perform close to his potential (that's how high it is) and he'll be clearing some space for his latest trophy.