Heisman Trophy Rankings: Top 10 Contenders to Win the Award
Has Cam Newton sealed the deal already?
Moving toward the last leg of the college football season, there has been a lot of talk as to who will take home the prestigious Heisman award. While Michigan's QB Denard Robinson was an early favorite with his explosive performances, it's no longer a one man competition.
After Alabama's RB Mark Ingram took home the award last season, it's almost a foregone conclusion that another running back won't win the award.
Here are the top 10 contenders for the prestigious Heisman Trophy this season.
10. Roy Helu, Jr., RB, Nebraska
1 of 10
After torching Missouri for 307 yards and three touchdowns on the ground last week, Helu's name is beginning to pick up traction in the race.
However, the senior RB is on the outside looking in as he hasn't had an overly impressive season overall. While he does have to split time in the backfield, Helu was expected to produce at a more prolific clip than he currently is, and has seen his Heisman stock drop because of it.
While it's doubtful that he will win the award, his impressive skill is undeniable and he should get at least a few third-place votes when it's all said and done.
9. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
2 of 10
Despite his suspension from the team for last week's game, Blackmon's stock is rising at an exponential rate.
The 20-year old has been simply incredible, eclipsing the 100-yard barrier in every game that he's played this season. With 62 receptions already for 1,112 yards and 14 touchdowns, Blackmon has the chance to have one of the most impressive seasons for a college wideout in recent memory.
Averaging an insane 17.9 yards per catch, the wide receiver is firmly implanted on the Heisman radar, but unfortunately his sophomore status may hold him back just enough to prevent him from securing the award.
8. Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State
3 of 10
After entering Ohio State with huge hype surrounding his name, Pryor has performed admirably in his junior season.
With the best completion percentage (67.6 percent), as well as the highest yards-per-attempt (8.88) of his collegiate career, Pryor is enjoying his best season by far. With a 20-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 1,997 passing yards, it's easy to see why he's in the Heisman conversation.
Additionally, the athletic QB is always a threat to rack up the yards on the ground as well, which makes him a very challenging task for opposing defenses. He could certainly do a lot for his draft stock if he continues to play at this very high level.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
7. Ricky Stanzi, QB, Iowa
4 of 10
Arguably the least talked about candidate for the award, Stanzi is turning in a very impressive senior season at Iowa.
Although he hasn't eclipsed 300 yards passing in a single game, Stanzi is consistently turning in quality efforts in every matchup. On the season, Stanzi has an insane 68.5 completion percentage to go along with 1,922 yards and an unheard of 19-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Playing the best football of his collegiate career, Stanzi has an outside chance at the Heisman, but unfortunately for the quarterback, losses to Arizona and Wisconsin may prevent him from having a real shot at securing the award.
6. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
5 of 10
Robinson's skill is perhaps the greatest of any player on the list, but unfortunately for the electric quarterback, that doesn't automatically secure him the award.
After a very promising start to the season where Robinson racked up more total yardage by himself than some teams did in total, he has begun to cool off.
His 15-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio is a little misleading, as he also has an extraordinary 12 scores on the ground as well, earning him the nickname of the right-handed Mike Vick.
However, three straight losses for his team are not doing anything to help his stock in the race to the top.
5. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor
6 of 10
This kid has three games this season where he's thrown for over 380 yards, an impressive feat by any standard of measurement.
Leading the Bears to their current no. 21 spot in the BCS standings, Griffin is a pure talent in the passing game with 2,592 yards already and a 20-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio. What is most impressive about his performance is that he's leading his team as just a 20-year old sophomore, and is primed to get even better.
While he most likely won't take home the Heisman, Griffin has been downright amazing this season and is most definitely a strong candidate to take home the award in 2011.
4. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
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Luck was considered the best quarterback in college football for a brief period, but his stock has slipped quite a bit over the last few games.
Despite a 20-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio, Luck has yet to eclipse 2,000 yards this season, and is not a threat in the ground game whatsoever. Additionally, the quarterback has looked less and less involved in the offense over the last couple of weeks, and has thrown two of his six picks in those games.
While it's probable that Luck will get an invite to the ceremony should he continue his solid play, he's on the outside looking in to take home the prestigious award.
3. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
8 of 10
Although Moore has just 1,865 yards passing on the year, his 10.42 yards-per-attempt average and 18-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio are among college football's best.
With just a single game under 200 yards passing (196 against New Mexico State) this season, Moore has been a big reason why Boise State has ascended to near the top of the rankings this season.
Although the junior is not of very impressive stature at just 6-foot, 190 pounds, he's done an incredible job of managing contest after contest, and his football IQ is among the best of any player listed.
2. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
9 of 10
James' back must be hurting, as he's carried the No. 1 ranked Oregon squad all season long.
The definition of a workhorse, James is coming off his third game of over 200 yards rushing this season. With 1,210 yards on the ground already and an unreal 7.1 yards-per-carry average, James is really no. 1B on this list rather than no. 2.
With 14 rushing touchdowns and another through the air, the 5-foot-9 sophomore is making sure everyone in the country knows his name by the time this season ends.
And even if he loses to No. 1 on this list, he should be considered the odds-on favorite for the award next season.
1. Cameron Newton, QB, Auburn
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Head honcho for the no. 2 team in the BCS, there is no other player in college football that has seen his stock rise as quickly as Newton's.
Despite the fact that his passing stats are not the most impressive of the players on this list, his ability to run the ball is better than most tailbacks. Seriously, he's that dangerous.
With five games of 170-plus yards rushing, the Auburn QB has been highly impressive in his first full season as the starter. With a 15-to-5 touchdown-to-interception ratio and 14 touchdowns on the ground, his 29 total touchdowns make it easy to see why he's the MVP of this offense and the current front-runner for the Heisman.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
