College Football Predictions: Deep, Deep, Deep Heisman Hopefuls

It seems to me that more times then not, the Heisman Trophy is constantly being won by random players.

Did anyone out there predict Mark Ingram in 2010? How about Troy Smith in 2006, or Charles Woodsen in 2007?

So, let's leave the Mallets and then Pryors and the John Clay's at the door. 

Here are the top 10 deep Hesiman prospects that NOBODY is talking about.

10) Tate Forcier, QB, Michigan

It will be a make-or-break year in Michigan this year for Rich Rodriguez and I expect him to air it out big time. They are going to be airing the ball out a lot in that offense. Forcier was up-and-down last season, but with a year under his belt this talented QB should become one of the better QB prospects in the country by the end of the year. 

9) Damaris Johnson, WR, Tulsa

Johnson is one of the more talented receivers in the country, and he gets to show that off in the quick-moving Tulsa offense. With his talent and opportunity (he also returns and punts and kickoffs) don't be surprised if Johnson has the best WR numbers in college this season. 

8) Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri

Huge QB prospect Gabbert (he was featured on the cover of ESPN Magazine as a Missouri freshman) should put up enormous numbers in the Big 12 this season. The major thing holding him back right now is Missouri's win-loss record, which, if 1009 held any merit, probably won't be too good. 

7) Jeremiah Masoli, QB, Ole Miss

He deserved to get kicked off the Oregon team for all the trouble he caused off the field, but that doesn't mean that he lost any skill. Masoli will thrive in the Ole Miss offense just like he did in Eugene. Masoli was a Heisman hopeful before the transfer, and there is no reason why he shouldn't be one now. 

6) Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State

Kendall Hunter's 2010 season was not to be desired. Oklahoma City's offense lagged with Hunter's injury and Dez Bryant getting suspended. But Hunter should come back with numbers similar to his 2008 campaign: 1555 yards, a 6.5 y/avg. and 17 total touchdowns. 

5) Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pittsburgh

Baldwin is a huge (size, I mean) prospect out of Pittsburgh that will light up the scoreboard all year. Like fellow Pitt Larry Fitzgerald, Baldwin is quickly becoming one of the best receivers in the country. With all the attention that Alabama's Julio Jones and Georiga's AJ Green are getting, Baldwin might be better then those two. 

4) Jacory Harris, QB, Miami

Every college football fan remembers Jacory Harris's coming out party last season in a 38-34 win over Florida State. Harris continued to impress for the entire 2009 season and threw for 3350+ yards and 24 touchdowns. The talent is there. The most important thing about Harris's Heisman campaign will be Miami's record. He has the stats to get to New York City, but unless Miami wins 10+ games, it might be a no-show.

3) Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

2009 was supposed to be the year of Sam Bradford, but after Bradford's injury troubles, Landry Jones was chosen to be the man in charge. Jones went 7-3 as a starter, but it was still a disappointing year for OU (who expected to challenge Texas for the Big 12 title). Jones will have a season similar to that of Bradford's Heisman year. Not to say that Jones is as talented as Bradford, but the OU offense is built to have quarterbacks succeed statistically. 

2) John Brantley, QB, Florida

As good as Tim Tebow was for Florida, there is a large difference between having a run-first QB who had bad throwing mechanics and a pro-style, drop-back QB. Brantley is a drop-back QB and he will be throwing like a mad-man to the talented Florida wideouts. Brantley was a huge high school prospect and will likely be a top ten pick in the 2012 or 2013 NFL draft (barring injury). 

1) Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

Why not? The talk out of Alabama is that Trent Richardson is a better player then Mark Ingram. Whether that is true or not is up for debate, but what is true is that Richardson is one of the five better backs in college. An Ingram injury could accelerate Richardson to the top of the NCAA.