College Football 2011: Which Incoming Recruits Will Compete for the Heisman?

Ah yes, the Heisman Trophy. Regarded as the most prestigious individual award in sports by many, the Heisman Trophy race is debated, talked about and previewed practically daily during the college football season.

Besides Charles Woodson winning it in 1997, the award is basically an offensive player's award. To get even more specific, the award usually goes to a quarterback or running back.

In the 2011 recruiting class there are surely some talented signal callers and rock toters. Receivers have also been in contention for the award a few times and we'll take a look at a few in the 2011 class as well.

Read on to see the 2013 Heisman Trophy preview—or is it 2014? Anyways, here we go!

Isaiah Crowell, RB

Signed with: Georgia

Crowell will be able to start his future campaign pretty early.

In fact, he will likely start it on the first running play of Georgia's season as he will probably start as a true freshman. He certainly has the skill set to be in a future race, as he's 5'11", 210 pounds with great speed, quickness and quick-cut ability.

If Crowell produces like he's capable of in the most competitive conference in all of college football, then a Heisman Trophy campaign certainly will be put together by the UGA program.

Savon Huggins, RB

Signed with: Rutgers

Huggins is in a similar situation as Crowell, as he also as a good chance to see a lot of time as a true freshman and will be getting his name out there early.

At 6'0", 190 pounds at the moment, Huggins could be in the 215-range as a junior and still keep his speed and solid burst.

He'll likely be the best RB the Scarlet Knights have had since Ray Rice. Rutgers hasn't enjoyed the team success that really solidifies a Heisman campaign, but with a solid 2011 recruiting class, there should be enough talent on the roster to reverse fortune.

Braxton Miller, QB

Signed with: Ohio State

Miller already comes to Columbus with an almost legendary reputation and he's expected to battle for some snaps this year while Terrelle Pryor is out. But when he takes over in 2012, that is when I expect the 6'2", 190-pounder to take off.

Miller can run and throw both equally and effectively. He's been compared to Troy Smith, Pat White and Donovan McNabb.

As we all know, the job of being the starting QB at Ohio State always warrants Heisman consideration. With the prestige of the job and Miller's talents combined, expect him to be in serious consideration for the award at some point before he leaves OSU.

George Farmer, WR

Signed with: USC

It's always plenty tough for a receiver to win the Heisman as it's usually a QB/RB race. But Farmer certainly has a chance for a few reasons.

First, he plays at a big-time program in USC. Second, if he becomes a starter like expected, at any point in his Trojan career, then that's saying something because USC is stacked at receiver.

Third, he's a 6'2", 200-pound specimen who's been timed at sub 4.4 in the 40. Farmer has the size and speed to become an All-American receiver.

After Matt Barkley leaves, the Trojans still will have talented QBs like Jesse Scroggins, Max Wittek and Cody Kessler to deliver the ball to Farmer and the rest of the uber-talents at the skill spots for USC.

Aaron Green, RB

Signed with: Nebraska

Green is a Texan that is heading north to tote the rock for Big Red. He's a 5'10", 190-pounder that has a nice combo of speed, quickness and solid run strength. As he becomes stronger in college, he'll be able to really push piles. Green really has a chance to be a Big Ten Offensive POY candidate down the line.

Nebraska is going through an offensive coaching staff change at the moment, but once Bo Pelini settles that side of the ball, expect Green to become a star down the road.

We all know the importance of the tradition of Cornhusker offensive linemen and running backs,  judging by how the program has run the ball dominantly through the years.

Jeff Driskel, QB

Signed with: Florida

If I had to pick a logical favorite on this list, then Driskel would be my choice.

He's a quarterback at a big-time program, he should be a starter, he will be well-coached and he should put up some nice numbers. Driskel is billed as the top QB prospect in the 2011 class. He's 6'4", 225 pounds, has a hose arm, is accurate and has great athleticism.

Besides, playing in the SEC is a big plus and it's not like Florida doesn't put together great Heisman campaigns for its QBs—Spurrier, Weurffel, Tebow, anyone?

Dee Hart, RB

Signed with: Alabama

Hart may never be the type to be a bell-cow running back and carry the load, but he can be a dynamic jack-of-all-trades player.

He's 5'8", 190 pounds and has dynamite speed, quickness and agility. He's instinctive with the ball and makes plays in space.

Hart could put up solid stats across the board as a rusher, receiver and return man. He'll be the epitome of a multi-purpose threat in Tuscaloosa.

If he plays well for a team that will compete for BCS titles all throughout his tenure there, the "Hart for Heisman" campaign should come alive.

Kiehl Frazier, QB

Signed with: Auburn

Dual-threat QBs are becoming hotter and hotter commodities with the rise of the spread offense in college football.

Frazier is a 6'3", 215-pound signal-caller that is going to have a chance to play in virtually the same offense as he played in during high school. Gus Malzahn worked wonders with Cam Newton in just one year, imagine what Frazier will be like when he's a junior under Malzahn.

Auburn will be young this year and could be poised for a step back, but the Tigers have a ton of young talent and should compete for more SEC titles in the coming years.

Frazier should be one of the reasons why they do so and that will get him in the Heisman talks.

Malcolm Brown, RB

Signed with: Texas

Brown is the top running back in the country in the 2011 recruiting class and should get some early carries at UT.

At 6'0", 220 pounds he has the speed, run strength, tackle-breaking ability and vision to excel as a collegiate runner. He's a bell cow type, who a team can feed and feed to wear down a defense.

Texas always campaigns their top offensive players for the Heisman and Brown is fully expected to develop into a top-notch player as a Longhorn.

I fully expect him to be thick in the midst of Heisman talks at some point before he leaves Austin.