College Football 2011: 7 Players Who Can Win the Heisman Trophy

The college football season just ended, but it's never too early to start thinking about next season. This upcoming season promises to be full of excitement, just like every year in the past, and there are sure to be some studs on the field in 2011. 

Next season there will be some familiar faces in the Heisman race, but there are sure to be players in the discussion who weren't last year.

Continue reading to see seven players who could win the Heisman Trophy this upcoming college football season.

No. 7: Trent Richardson, RB

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TUSCALOOSA, AL - NOVEMBER 26: Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Nick Fairly #90 of the Auburn Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Trent Richardson was an absolute beast last season. He ran for power, and people noticed his intensity on the field.

Last season, Richardson rushed for 700 yards and six touchdowns on just 112 carries. TRich also caught 23 passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns.

Did I mention that he was a backup?

Mark Ingram was the starter for Alabama, but this season he will be going to the pros. This leaves Richardson with an opportunity to get more carries, and if he performs similarly to what he did last season, he could be holding a Heisman Trophy after the season.

No. 6: Denard Robinson, QB

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines passes against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)

Denard Robinson was the most exciting player in college football last year. It's incredible how well the guy can run the football, especially considering he doesn't tie his shoelaces.

Last season, Robinson ran for 1,702 yards and rushed for 14 touchdowns. These statistics are better than 90 percent or more of the running backs in college football, and Robinson is a quarterback.

He must not be able to throw, right? Wrong! Robinson completed 62.5 percent of his passes and threw for 2,570 yards and 18 touchdowns.

With one more year of experience, Robinson is almost a lock to be in discussions this year for the Heisman Trophy, and if Michigan can win more football games than last year, Robinson could actually be the winner of the Heisman.

No. 5: Matt Barkley, QB

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LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: Matt Barkley #7 of the USC Trojans passes in the pocket against the Oregon Ducks during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The golden boy had a very good season last year. After being forced into starting his freshman year on a team that has never had a weak quarterback, many people doubted Barkley. He struggled a little bit as a freshman, but the year of experience made him stronger.

Last season, Barkley threw for 2,791 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also completed 62.6 percent of his passes. For a sophomore, these numbers are absurd, and next season he should do even better.

USC may have taken a few step backs as a football program, but Barkley looks like he is moving forward at a rapid pace.

No. 4: Marcus Lattimore, RB

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 4: Running back Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks runs with the ball during the 2010 SEC Championship against the Auburn Tigers at Georgia Dome on December 4, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty I

You may remember a freshman running back rushing for 212 yards and three touchdowns against Florida last season. Well, that running back was Marcus Lattimore, and he will be just as good, if not better, this season.

Lattimore rushed for 1,149 yards on 249 carries and 17 touchdowns last season. He also caught 29 passes for 412 yards and two touchdowns. He showed no problems performing against the experienced SEC teams even at his young age.

Next season, with most of his offensive line returning to South Carolina, Lattimore is going to demand your attention and will be a serious candidate to win the Heisman Trophy.

No. 3: Kellen Moore, QB

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BOISE, ID - NOVEMBER 19: Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos passes against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Bronco Stadium on November 19, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Boise State lost a game last season, and that basically overshadowed everything that Kellen Moore did in 2010. Luckily for him, he'll be back this season ready to light up the blue turf yet again.

Last season, Moore threw for 3,845 yards and completed 71.3 percent of his passes. He also threw for 35 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He has improved every year as a starter for the Broncos, and as a senior this season, it should happen again.

If Boise State wants to get back to a BCS game, then Moore will have to lead the team to another perfect season, and if he plays like he's capable, it's very possible that the team reaches its goals and he potentially reaches his of winning a Heisman Trophy.

No. 2: LaMichael James, RB

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: LaMichael James #21 and Bo Thran #69 of the Oregon Ducks react to a play againt the Auburn Tigers during the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. (P

LaMichael James was the best running back in college football last season, hands down. This year he will look to improve on his third-place finish in the Heisman voting and win his team a national championship.

Last season, James ran for 1,731 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 208 yards and three touchdowns.

James was one of the most explosive players in the country, and it won't surprise anybody if he wins the Heisman Trophy in 2011.

No. 1: Andrew Luck, QB

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 03: Andrew Luck #12 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates after he threw a 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter against the Virginai Tech Hokies during the 2011 Discover Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium on January 3, 2011 in Miam

I'm not sure what he was thinking staying in college, but now that he did, it was an easy choice for No. 1 on this list.

Andrew Luck was most likely going to be the first quarterback selected in the NFL draft this season, but he decided to stay at Stanford. Last season, Luck put Stanford on the map and led them to a BCS bowl win.

In 2010, Luck threw for 3,338 yards and 32 touchdowns and completed 70.7 percent of his passes. With one more year of experience, it's scary to even think about what his numbers will be like this season.

Luck is looking to win the Heisman Trophy this season and potentially get Stanford to the national championship. He's most likely the No. 1 pick in the draft next season, and for good reason. Luck can play!