College Football 2011: Power Ranking the Heisman Hopefuls for 2011
On December 10th, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner will be announced.
We are currently a little over nine months away from the announcement, but the discussion of who the winner will be has already begun.
It could be one of the names thrown around every day, or it could be a dark horse that nobody is even talking about.
This season will surely be one filled with twists and turns, but the beginning of the season is still far off in the distance.
With how things stand right now, here are power rankings for 10 of the top Heisman hopefuls in 2011.
10. Trent Richardson (HB, Alabama)
1 of 10
Trent Richardson is entering his junior season in 2011. Last season, he split carries at Alabama with 2009 Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.
Richardson averaged 6.3 yards per carry on 112 total rushing attempts.
This season most of Alabama's offense will be on the shoulders of Richardson. The departure of Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Greg McElroy guarantees that.
If Richardson can handle the heavy workload, he will be in the race for the Heisman at the end of the season.
9. Michael Dyer (HB, Auburn)
2 of 10
Michael Dyer was one of the most impressive freshman in the country last season.
He ran the ball 182 times for Auburn, and finished the year with 1093 rushing yards. He also had five rushing touchdowns.
Dyer gained a lot of exposure during the BCS National Championship game. The Auburn offense, which had been dominant all season, was slowed by the Ducks. Dyer was the game saving presence for the Tigers. He rushed for 143 yards and a 6.5 average. He also had the long run to close the game out, where he was never ruled down on the field.
With Cam Newton gone, Dyer becomes the new star of the Auburn offense. He had a fantastic freshman campaign and it should continue into next season.
8. Justin Blackmon (WR, Oklahoma State)
3 of 10
There is little doubt that Justin Blackmon is the best wide receiver in the country.
As a sophomore in 2010, he had 111 receptions for 1782 yards. On top of these eye catching statistics, he also had 20 touchdowns.
In every game Blackmon played in last year, he had over 100 yards receiving. On six occasions, he had receptions in the double-digits.
His worst game came during the last week of the season, when the Cowboys faced Oklahoma. Blackmon only had eight receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown.
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7. Terrelle Pryor (QB, Ohio State)
4 of 10
The suspension that will keep Terrell Pryor off the field for the first five weeks of the 2011 season is going to have a huge impact on his Heisman chances.
Before the suspension, Pryor would have probably been in the top three on this list.
Pryor has consistently put up better numbers in games that are outside the Big Ten conference. Although he still performs at a very high level in the Big Ten games, he will likely struggle to make up the ground missed from the suspension.
It can be done, but with such a high level of competition in the race, it's going to be very difficult for Pryor.
6. Brandon Weeden (QB, Oklahoma State)
5 of 10
Having Justin Blackmon to throw to really helps Brandon Weeden on the football field. Unfortunately, it may hurt him when it comes to the Heisman race.
Weeden will likely put up phenomenal statistics yet again in 2011. During the 2010 season, he threw for 4277 yards, completing 66.9 percent of his passes. He also threw for 34 touchdowns.
Blackmon was on the receiving end for almost half of those yards, and 20 of the touchdowns.
When it comes to Heisman voting, this may hurt Weeden's chances.
5. Knile Davis (HB, Arkansas)
6 of 10
Knile Davis is one of the lesser talked about players that appears on this list. He burst onto the scene as a sophomore last year at Arkansas.
Davis had 1322 rushing yards and averaged 6.5 yards per carry. He also had 13 touchdowns.
The reason Davis is overlooked is because he started the season slow for the Razorbacks. Through the first six weeks, Davis had only 294 yards and one touchdown.
In the final seven games, including the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Davis had 1028 yards and 12 touchdowns.
With the departure of Ryan Mallett, Davis will likely see more action next year. If he continues with his end of the year performance, he will be a top runner 2011.
4. Denard Robinson (QB, Michigan)
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Denard Robinson is the most exciting player in college football.
Despite the other troubles at Michigan, Robinson and his untied shoes stole the spotlight. He threw for 2570 yards and 18 touchdowns, along with 1702 rushing yards and 15 more scores.
Robinson could easily be number one on this list, but one thing may hold that back.
Michigan has had a change in personnel on the coaching staff during the offseason. Although the move was good for the Wolverines, a new offensive scheme will likely be implemented. This could limit Robinson from having the same jaw dropping numbers next year.
On the other hand, it could make no difference at all.
3. Kellen Moore (QB, Boise State)
8 of 10
Kellen Moore is one of the most efficient passers in the NCAA.
Unfortunately, the fact that Boise State competed in the Western Athletic Conference really seemed to kill Moore's chances at a Heisman. The Broncos will be moving to the Mountain West Conference next season, which is a very small step in the right direction.
No matter what conference he plays in, Moore's numbers cannot be ignored. In 2010, he threw at a completion rate of 71.3 percent. He had 3845 yards and 35 touchdowns to only six interceptions.
Moore is one of the top quarterbacks in the country. He will likely duplicate those stats and winning record yet again this season, putting him close to the top of this list.
2. LaMichael James (HB, Oregon)
9 of 10
When teams face the best offense in the country, the defense usually focuses on the best player. That player is LaMichael James.
Despite the fact that teams are keying in on him every week, James still managed to lead the nation in rushing yards last season at 1731. He finished with a slightly lower average than the prior year at 5.9 yards per carry, but improved on his touchdown total at 21.
The Oregon offense is more than likely going to be the best in the nation yet again in 2011. That offense will be led by LaMichael James.
1. Andrew Luck (QB, Stanford)
10 of 10
When Andrew Luck announced he would be returning to Stanford for his senior season, he automatically cemented himself at the top of this list.
Had Luck elected to enter the NFL Draft, he would have likely been selected first overall by the Panthers.
He didn't, so instead he will start off the season at the top of the list for the Heisman race.
In 2010, he completed 70.7 percent of his passes for 3338 yards. He threw for 32 touchdowns to eight interceptions.
It's unknown how the loss of coach Jim Harbaugh will effect Luck, but at this point it really doesn't matter. He is the best player in the country.
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