College Football 2011: B/R's Official 50 Heisman Watch List
Take a look at the early 2011 Heisman watch lists and the top 10 are pretty consistent.
But what if the eventual winner comes from outside that top 10? Who are the most likely dark horses?
Ohio State’s Terrelle Pryor would be the ultimate dark horse since he will miss the first five games of the season. How about his replacement?
Well, here’s a look at B/R’s Official 50 Heisman watch list for 2011.
50. John Brantley, QB, Florida
1 of 50
As the quarterback at Florida, John Brantley has to make the list.
He also has the genius Charlie Weis calling the plays, so he’s bound for a huge season.
Just ask Jimmy Clausen.
49. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson
2 of 50
If Tajh Boyd actually wins the Heisman, it will easily be the best name on the trophy since Rashaan Salaam.
But Boyd is ready to take over at Clemson for Kyle Parker.
He had a nice spring, and if he can help Clemson return to some level of respectability, it’s possible Boyd could move up this list.
48. Stephen Garcia, QB, South Carolina
3 of 50
Will Stephen Garcia play in 2011?
His coach, Steve Spurrier, may not have a choice but to stick with the talented-but-beleaguered Garcia.
The only way Garcia remains in this discussion is if he cuts back on the interceptions.
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47.Tauren Poole, RB, Tennessee
4 of 50
Tauren Poole is under consideration because he’s an exciting runner who has a knack of breaking off some big runs.
He’s still learning how to be a more instinctive runner, but Heisman winners are always big-time performers and Poole has that skill.
46. Ryan Lindley, QB, San Diego State
5 of 50
He is learning a new offense and his weapons aren’t the same, but there are still a lot of teams that would love to have Ryan Lindley.
Opponents are going to try to stop the run and force Lindley to throw the ball to beat them.
If he delivers, he could post some impressive numbers in 2011.
45. Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona State
6 of 50
Vontaze Burfict’s reputation and play has resulted in a number of penalties.
Look a little deeper and you have a Ray Lewis clone who runs like a running back.
He’s worked hard to be a better player and leader for the Sun Devils. That could translate into some award-season hype.
44. Vick Ballard, RB, Mississippi State
7 of 50
Can Vick Ballard be an elite running back?
Dan Mullen sure hopes so.
Ballard rushed for 20 touchdowns last year, and with quarterback Chris Relf and Ballard back, that could help the running back open some eyes.
He needs to be more consistent, though, to move up the list.
43. Davin Meggett, RB, Maryland
8 of 50
Davin Meggett is going to get the carries that would allow him to put up some nice rushing numbers.
He’s experienced and has a recognizable name (son of former NFL player David Meggett), so if he starts strong his chances improve.
42. Juron Criner, WR, Arizona
9 of 50
Juron Criner is the go-to receiver for the Wildcats after garnering 1,233 receiving yards in 2010.
He is sometimes the overlooked guy at receiver, but Criner is a deep threat.
Criner is tough and pulls down a lot of catches in traffic.
41. Andre Ellington, RB, Clemson
10 of 50
Dabo Swinney is more than likely to turn to Andre Ellington to be his workhorse in the backfield.
He led the ACC with an impressive 6.6 yards per carry. Given that his carries should go up this year, it is obvious that his average will drop, but not as much as you think.
He could easily lead the ACC in rushing in 2011.
40. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
11 of 50
Michael Floyd has had some legal issues this offseason, but everyone will forget that if he has a good season catching passes.
Brian Kelly’s offense should help Floyd’s chances to increase his catches and yards.
A big key for Floyd would be for him to show real leadership like Tim Brown did when he won the Heisman in 1987.
39. Tank Carder, LB, TCU
12 of 50
A defensive player from a non-BCS conference is not going to win the Heisman.
But Tank Carder has a great name, and he’s a gamer.
So when you have a list of 50 possibilities, Carder should be on the list.
38. Edwin Baker, RB, Michigan State
13 of 50
Edwin Baker ran for 1,201 yards as he helped the Spartans claim a part of the Big Ten crown last year.
Michigan State’s offense thrives on balance and Baker is critical to the harmony with quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Baker could easily throw up 1,600 rushing yards and become a Heisman player.
37. David Wilson, RB/KR, Virginia Tech
14 of 50
Virginia Tech has produced a number of very good, but not great, running backs.
Now David Wilson is the heir apparent.
What helps his Heisman case is his ability on special teams.
36. Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
15 of 50
Let’s face it, defensive players rarely win the Heisman.
But Morris Claiborne is LSU's best defender, and that makes him a realistic Heisman option.
He had five interceptions last season, but most SEC quarterbacks will probably shy away from throwing his way this year.
35. Zach Collaros, QB, Cincinnati
16 of 50
Zach Collaros didn’t have anything near the 2010 he or anyone else expected.
He wasn’t efficient enough, and he didn’t thrive as the unquestioned leader of the Bearcats.
However, in his second year under Butch Jones, Collaros could be the Big East’s best offensive player.
34. Case Keenum, QB, Houston
17 of 50
Case Keenum wasn’t supposed to be on the Cougars roster in 2011.
But thanks to a season-ending knee injury and a generous NCAA, he’s now back for a sixth season.
Keenum thrives in Kevin Sumlin’s offense. If he stays healthy, he’ll put up crazy numbers again.
33. Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State
18 of 50
Kirk Cousins gets the most out of his skills every year.
He completed 226 passes for 2,825 yards and 20 touchdowns as Michigan State won a share of the Big Ten title in 2010.
He’ll need to do better than that, but he’s the type of feel-good story Heisman voters like.
32. Dayne Crist, QB, Notre Dame
19 of 50
Since Dayne Crist is a quarterback at Notre Dame, he has to be in the conversation.
Heisman voters love the Irish and would love to have someone to vote for.
So, why not Crist?
31. Nick Foles, QB, Arizona
20 of 50
Arizona’s Nick Foles is one of the nation’s most accurate quarterbacks.
His 2010 didn’t live up to expectations, much like the Wildcats overall finish.
Foles is likely to finish 2011 as the most celebrated quarterback in Arizona history, but his candidacy hinges on leading the Wildcats to a historic season—maybe one that ends with the program’s first appearance in the Rose Bowl.
30. Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State
21 of 50
Brock Osweiler led the Sun Devils to a win over rival Arizona, and he’s had a great spring.
Osweiler is still raw, but he has great instincts and a big-time arm.
Arizona State, with its new fancy helmets, could easily be the surprise team in the Pac-12. That could help Osweiler.
29. Ryan Tannehill, QB, Texas A&M
22 of 50
Ryan Tannehill may have just six career starts, but he was a stud in those starts.
Texas A&M went from a laughingstock to Big 12 contender because of Tannehill.
He’s now the unquestioned leader of an Aggies team that could win the conference.
28. Jeff Demps, RB, Florida
23 of 50
Jeff Demps may not get the Heisman, but he has a great chance of winning Olympic gold as a sprinter.
He’s also been bit by the injury bug in the past, but if Demps puts together a full season and his talent takes over, watch out.
27. Marcus Coker, RB, Iowa
24 of 50
When Iowa needed a running back to step up, Marcus Coker blew everyone away with his performance.
Coker responded to the challenge with 219 yards on 33 carries—both Iowa bowl-game records—in the Insight Bowl.
He opened a lot of eyes and if Iowa can return to 2009 form, Coker will be a big reason for the success.
26. Jake Heaps, QB, BYU
25 of 50
Jake Heaps matured and became a leader for the Cougars in the second half of 2010.
He struggled in a platoon role, but now he’s the clear-cut leader.
BYU’s only other Heisman winner was Ty Detmer in 1990.
25. E.J. Manuel, QB, Florida State
26 of 50
E.J. Manuel is finally the starter for the Seminoles.
He’s a special talent who should thrive under Jimbo Fisher’s tutelage.
With FSU poised to return to the upper echelon, Manuel could be the beneficiary.
He could also use a big-time game against Oklahoma in Tallahassee.
24. Greg Childs, WR, Arkansas
27 of 50
Greg Childs is the best receiver on an Arkansas team that is loaded with talent at the position.
Making the adjustment to a new quarterback could hurt Childs, but he’s a serious deep threat who could easily lead the nation in touchdown receptions of more than 50 yards.
Childs had just 48 receptions in eight games last year.
23. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina
28 of 50
Playing for former Heisman-winner Steve Spurrier has its advantages.
For one thing, Spurrier has a vote.
But Alshon Jeffery is a standout receiver, who caught 88 passes for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns last year. And he did that with Stephen Garcia at quarterback.
22. Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
29 of 50
Ryan Broyles is probably a first-round draft pick in 2012, and he’s an elite receiver.
He had 131 receptions last season for 1,622 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Broyles candidacy is hampered by teammate Landry Jones, who will have a big year if Broyles does.
21. Ronnie Hillman, RB, San Diego State
30 of 50
Ronnie Hillman finished his freshman season with a 228-yard, four-touchdown performance in the Poinsettia Bowl.
He averaged almost six yards a carry en route to almost 1,600 yards.
Hillman is a serious home-run threat who could have his highlights replayed over and over again on ESPN.
20. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska
31 of 50
If not for his final four games, Bo Pelini’s favorite quarterback would probably be in the top 10.
However, Taylor Martinez struggled in the Big 12 title game with Oklahoma and again in the bowl game with Washington.
Martinez did show flashes of brilliance, so he could move up the list quickly.
19. James White, RB, Wisconsin
32 of 50
James White rushed for a little more than 1,000 yards last year, and he spent the offseason getting stronger.
Will he get enough carries to be a serious candidate?
It may be tough as he splits carries with Montee Ball.
18. Bryant Moniz, QB, Hawaii
33 of 50
Voters don’t take system quarterbacks too seriously.
Bryant Moniz will suffer from this stigma.
But he has the potential to put up crazy stats, and if there is no clear-cut Heisman favorite, he could slip in there.
17. Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin
34 of 50
He’s the second Badgers running back who could win the Heisman.
This spring, Montee Ball appears to have lost about 20 pounds while maintaining his strength.
Ball is still a massive back with good speed. He’s not quite former Heisman winner Ron Dayne, but he could win the Heisman like Dayne did.
Ball had a solid Rose Bowl, even in the loss to TCU. Wisconsin could win the Big Ten again, and that will help Ball.
16. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
35 of 50
As a redshirt sophomore, Aaron Murray is one of the more experienced quarterbacks in the SEC.
He had a solid year in 2010, and Mark Richt should have more confidence in him this season.
He should throw for a lot of touchdowns, even without A.J. Green at receiver.
15. Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia
36 of 50
The Big East can only boast one Heisman winner—Gino Torretta—who is considered by many one of the worst recipients in history.
So the conference’s best shot at a second one is another Geno—WVU’s Geno Smith.
Smith’s candidacy should be taken seriously.
If head-coach-in-waiting Dana Holgorsen works similar magic with the Mountaineers offense like he has at past stops, Smith could put up some serious numbers.
14. Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn
37 of 50
While Cam Newton was Auburn’s star on offense in 2010, Michael Dyer played a critical role for the Tigers.
This year, Gene Chizik will rely on Dyer to be Auburn’s main offensive weapon.
If Dyer were to win the award, it would be the first time players from the same team won the Heisman in back-to-back years since USC’s Matt Leinart (2004) and Reggie Bush (2005).
Of course, Bush has returned his, so you have to go back to Ohio State’s Archie Griffin winning it in 1974-75 or to Army’s Doc Blanchard (1945) and Glenn Davis (1946).
13. Robert Griffin, QB, Baylor
38 of 50
Playing for Baylor doesn’t help his Heisman campaign, but Robert Griffin is a real talent.
He’s a threat passing and running, but he has NFL passing skills.
The Bears were 7-6 last season, and that won’t cut it for the Heisman voters. So Griffin will have to lead Baylor to at least nine wins to be in the discussion.
12. Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas
39 of 50
Knile Davis was a key component in Arkansas’ second-half resurgence last year.
Bobby Petrino is likely to rely on Davis even more this season, which could mean Heisman-type statistics.
Davis is sort of a popular dark horse for the award, which is why he’s moving up the Heisman watch lists.
11. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State
40 of 50
Justin Blackmon may be the best receiver in the country, so he has to be in the discussion.
He caught 102 passes for 1,665 yards and 18 touchdowns during the regular season and was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.
He’ll need a few breaks to become a finalist, but watch him play and tell me he isn’t a legitimate candidate.
10. Matt Barkley, QB, USC
41 of 50
Maybe this is too high for Matt Barkley, especially on a team that is on probation.
But Barkley may be the second most-talented quarterback in the Pac-12 and the nation.
If he could lead the Trojans to a win over Stanford or Oregon, there’s a chance many voters will overlook the NCAA violations stuff (something he had nothing to do with).
9. Darron Thomas, QB, Oregon
42 of 50
Darron Thomas is going to get overshadowed by teammate LaMichael James, but he still makes Chip Kelly’s offense go.
A year older, Thomas is going to be asked to do a lot more.
So that means more yards, more touchdowns and more highlights.
Those are all things the voters like.
8. Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma State
43 of 50
Former Florida State quarterback Chris Weinke won the Heisman when he was like 47 years old.
So why can’t Brandon Weeden win it at 28?
He put up some staggering numbers last year with Dana Holgorsen as his offensive coordinator.
With Holgorsen gone to West Virginia, it will be interesting to see if he is as effective.
7. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan
44 of 50
Denard Robinson was the front runner through about six games last season.
However, Robinson took a pounding in Rich Rodriguez’s offense, and he couldn’t hold up.
If the dual-threat quarterback leads the Wolverines to a huge season in Brady Hoke’s first season, Robinson is going to have a lot of Heisman fans.
6. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama
45 of 50
Trent Richardson watched Mark Ingram win the Heisman two years ago from the sidelines.
Now Richardson assumes the No. 1 spot in the backfield, and there are many scouts who believe he’s better than Ingram.
Nick Saban is going to utilize Richardson’s skills and the Crimson Tide have a good shot of going undefeated next year.
That’s a recipe for winning the Heisman.
5. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State
46 of 50
If Kellen Moore wins the Heisman, it will be more for his unbelievable career than his season.
Moore did lose some of his main targets, but he’s bright and accurate so his numbers should be among the best again.
The move to the Mountain West Conference might help his cause a bit as well.
4. Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina
47 of 50
As a true freshman, Marcus Lattimore showed why he was considered the best recruit in 2009.
With a season of experience, a solid offensive line and Steve Spurrier looking to ride him to an SEC championship, Lattimore is going to get a lot of publicity.
If he stays healthy, Lattimore could win the Heisman as a true sophomore.
3. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma
48 of 50
Landry Jones has the ability and playmakers around him to be a Sam Bradford-type candidate.
OK, maybe he’s more of a Jason White type, but the Sooners have a good one.
Jones seemed to fly under the radar last year, but he won’t go unnoticed this season.
2. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
49 of 50
It seemed like a foregone conclusion that Andrew Luck would leave with coach Jim Harbaugh for the NFL after last season.
Then Luck shocked almost everyone by returning to Stanford.
The runner-up to Cam Newton last year could easily win the Heisman by repeating what he did last year.
There’s a good chance he’ll do much better.
1. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon
50 of 50
LaMichael James led the nation in rushing and was a finalist for the award last season.
He’s almost a lock to return to New York for the award ceremony, but this should be his year.
He is going to put up huge numbers in 2011 and find a way to wrest the Heisman away from the SEC.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
