College Football's Six Secret Heisman Candidates

We’re only one week through the college football season, yet already the Heisman chatter is starting to pop up. A few big stories are developing with the preseason supposed “favorites."

Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore is the hottest name coming out of the weekend after the Broncos upset Virginia Tech last night.

Defending champ Mark Ingram’s campaign is seemingly over before it even got the chance to get started due to preseason knee surgery. Washington quarterback Jake Locker just took a major step back in the eyes of the voters and the fans by losing to BYU to start off the season.

With so many questions at the top of the leaderboard, let’s take a look at six darkhorse contenders that have a chance to make a real name for themselves over the coming weeks.

6. QB Cam Newton: Auburn

Auburn QB Cam Newton

Cam Newton, a former Florida player who’s coming out of the junior college ranks this year, is a perfect fit for Gus Malzahn’s offensive attack. Newton is 6‘6, 250 pounds and has the ability to be a Vince Young type playmaker.

The junior completed 9 out of his 14 passes for 186 yards and scored a total of five touchdowns in Auburn’s 52-26 opening win against Arkansas State.

If he can lead Auburn into contention with Alabama in the SEC West, then we’ll be hearing a lot more about Newton in the Heisman discussion.

5. QB Jacory Harris: Miami

Doug Benc/Getty Images

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes throws a pass against the Oklahoma Sooners at Land Shark Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Miami defeated Oklahoma 21-20. (Photo by Doug Benc/Get

Is Jacory Harris the leader of Miami’s resurgence back to the top of the college football world?

We’ll find out this coming Saturday when Miami heads to Columbus for a battle with Ohio State.

If Harris can lead the U to a win over Terrelle Pryor and his favored Buckeyes team, he’ll skyrocket to the top of the Heisman list.

Testaverde, Torretta, .........Harris?

4. QB Taylor Martinez: Nebraska

Eric Francis/Getty Images

LINCOLN, NE - SEPTEMBER 04: Taylor Matinez #3 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers scores his first touchdown as a Cornhusker during the first half of their game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at Memorial Stadium on September 4, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebra

We didn’t even know who Nebraska’s quarterback was even going to be until shortly before the season opener against Western Kentucky.

Now freshman Taylor Martinez gets the keys to the offense and gets the opportunity to put himself in prime position for a Heisman run.

It they play up to their potential, this Nebraska team should win a lot of games in 2010.  

We’ve seen the “winning quarterback” formula win a lot of Heismans in the past.

3. RB DeMarco Murray: Oklahoma

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 05: Running back DeMarco Murray #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners at Cowboys Stadium on September 5, 2009 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

DeMarco Murray has been a more off the radar player lately because of injuries, but now that he’s healthy, the Oklahoma senior is proving how immense his talent really is.

Murray rushed for over 200 yards and two touchdowns in Oklahoma’s opening win against Utah State.

Now that he’s healthy, Murray can put up a full season’s worth of great production to show everyone he’s the real deal.

2. CB Patrick Peterson: LSU

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ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 04: Patrick Peterson #7 of the LSU Tigers breaks up a touchdown reception to Joshua Adams #3 of the North Carolina Tar Heels in the final seconds of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Georgia Dome on September 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia

He’s the best defensive back we’ve seen in college football since Charles Woodson. LSU's Patrick Peterson dominates in every way possible when he’s out on the field.

He’s on the short list for best defensive player in America, and he is the type of difference maker that you only see once every few years.

Peterson has to make a good amount of exciting splash plays this season if he wants to gain the attention from the voters, but if there’s anyone that could do it - it’s no. 7.

He’s capable of being the first true defensive player since Woodson to win the award.

1. QB Denard Robinson: Michigan

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

ANN ARBOR, MI - SEPTEMBER 19: Quarterback Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines drops back to pass against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Michigan Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won 45-17. (Photo by Stephen Dunn

Is it too early to get super excited about Denard Robinson?

Maybe. But that was a fairly strong Connecticut defense he just did that against.

If you haven’t checked the box score, Denard’s stats for the game....

Completion Percentage: 86%
Passing Yards: 186
Rushing Yards: 197
Touchdowns: 2

Most importantly........

Final Score: Michigan 30 - UCONN 10

Rich Rodriguez finally has a toy at Michigan.

Say what you want about Rodriguez, but that is definitely a dangerous situation for the Big Ten to have to deal with this year.