2010 Heisman Trophy: The Early Contenders

With the departure of Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, and Colt McCoy, who do we have left for Heisman Trophy consideration?  Obviously the incumbent, Mark Ingram, is back, but who else in the landscape do you believe will be up for consideration?

Here are my thoughts:

Kellen Moore QB Boise State: Solid numbers in his first two years.  Possible first-round draft pick are the rumors.

Ryan Mallett QB Arkansas: Very possible that this kid is the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft in 2011.  Can he lead Arkansas to some kind of greatness in the SEC?

Evan Royster RB Penn State: Forgotten in the mix of Penn State is Evan Royster, a solid RB who could put up huge numbers for the Nittany Lions in his senior year.  Think Larry Johnson.

Terrelle Pryor QB Ohio State: The much maligned former No. 1 recruit is doing what he does.  With all the bad press about him, he is a leader, and when Ohio State goes, so does Terrelle.  A great player with extremely high expectations, he may see a great junior year.

Garret Gilbert QB Texas: The true Sophomore will be thrown into the fire in 2010.  Actually, it will likely never get tougher than the BCS Championship that he entered when Colt went down with an injury.  Texas is always solid under Mack, and Garret looks like he can handle the business. 

Landry Jones QB Oklahoma: They have had two Heisman winners at QB over the past decade or so.  Landry is as talented as either of them.  His work during a work in progress season was actually pretty impressive.  If OU gets back to their winning ways, which is expected, he'll have plenty of opportunities to showcase his talents.

Jerrod Johnson QB Texas A&M: The most unheralded solid QB in the country, Jerrod can do it all.  IF he can lead A&M to a nine or 10 win season, he'll be a large part of the Heisman hype.

Kyle Parker QB Clemson: A freshman last year who spent seven years in the minor leagues of baseball, Kyle sports what is likely the strongest arm in all of the landscape.  Question is, can he lead Clemson to enough wins to be relevant?  Doubtful.

Tyrod Taylor QB Virginia Tech: The former five-star QB recruit has put together a solid resume all the while getting constant heckling that he isn't all that he should be.  A senior year often sparks some guys, and nobody should be surprised if Tyrod pulls the proverbial rabbit out of his hat in his senior season. 

Jacory Harris QB Miami: He can do the spectacular, can he do the every down play to make Miami great again is the real question.  The early season is loaded yet again, and if Jacory can perform well against Ohio State, Pittsburgh, and Clemson in early season victories, he could vault to the top in easy fashion. 

Andrew Luck QB Stanford:   All the rave this past year was about Toby Gerhart, but the reality of Stanford was that Andrew Luck became a solid QB in his RS freshman year.  Talk all you want about Toby, but it was Andrew that really made this team tick.  The real question is if Andrew can lead Stanford to enough wins to make himself credible for Heisman voters.

Dion Lewis RB Pittsburgh: The departure of LeSean McCoy was supposed to be detrimental to the Panthers last year.  Enter little known, much less heralded recruit Deon Lewis to the fray.  If Pitt can actually turn the corner and become Big East Champions, don't be surprised if yet again, Dion is a large part of their success.

Noel Devine RB West Virginia:   The former five-star recruit has lived up to the billing in Morgantown, WV.  While he may not be the toughest of runners, he is a highlight reel waiting to happen.  If WVU can become Big East champions, don't be surprised to see Noel invited to New York for the Heisman Trophy celebration.

Likely I missed somebody, but this is my early Heisman list.