College Football Predictions 2011: 10 Early Favorites to Win the Heisman Trophy
It is never too early to start thinking about the 2011 college football season, and it is certainly never too early to start thinking about the Heisman trophy.
A week after the 2011 NFL draft, experts are already starting to predict who will be taken in the 2012 draft. In order to accurately mock though, it is integral to truly understand what players are going to have a huge impact in the college football season.
Here’s a list of 10 early favorites for the Heisman trophy:
10. Stephen Garcia: QB South Carolina
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Garcia has been suspended from the South Carolina football team, but if he does make it back on the field we are looking at a guy with some high powered offensive potential.
He has a strong arm, but most of all he has incredible athleticism that allows him to make plays in and out of the pocket.
He is a very accurate thrower on the run, so if he is able to get back on the team (which is not out of the question) he could be the leader of a very good Gamecocks team
9. Dayne Crist: QB Notre Dame
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Garcia has been suspended from the South Carolina football team, but if he does make it back on the field we are looking at a guy with some high powered offensive potential.
He has a strong arm, but most of all he has incredible athleticism that allows him to make plays in and out of the pocket.
He is a very accurate thrower on the run, so if he is able to get back on the team (which is not out of the question) he could be the leader of a very good Gamecocks team
Crist had to deal with an injury riddled season at Notre Dame last year, but when he was on the field he showed that he easily possess Heisman potential.
He is dealing with some quarterback controversy at the moment, but from what everything I can see he is going to end up being the starter going in 2011.
He was 4-5 as a starter in 2010, but got zero help from his defense. The Irish made a huge leap in the Sun Bowl beating USC and Crist played a huge part going 15-29 for 201 yards, two touchdowns and no picks.
I think Notre Dame is going to make a surprise push this year, and Crist is going to be right at the center of it.
8. Denard Robinson: QB Michigan
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Robinson is easily the most explosive quarterback in college football. If he even gets a sliver of space to work with he can make an opposing defense pay by racking off a big yardage run. He has also shown that he has the ability to make throws from the pocket, and even sometimes while on the run.
The big question with Denard Robinson is whether or not he can stay healthy with all the hits that he takes scampering around the field. A lot of those questions will be answered by new coach, Brady Hoke’s, offensive schemes and how he plans on using Robinson.
If used right Robinson can be one of the better weapons in the game.
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7. Justin Blackmon: WR Oklahoma State
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It’s a pretty good bet to say that Justin Blackmon is going to be the best wide receiver in the country this year and will make a push for a very high draft bid, and the Heisman.
He is exceptionally fast, and may be the fastest player in the nation. He has real great footwork running routs and catches almost every pass away from his body. His size and physicality on the field gives him a huge advantage over small players, and makes him very dangerous in the red zone.
He is one of the fastest players in the nation, has great hands and unparalleled athleticism. Blackmon is the type of guy that can dominate the red zone with his size and physicality.
6. John Brantley: QB Florida
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Florida is going to put itself right back on the map, and as usual it’s going to be the quarterback that leads the way for the Gators.
A big word that comes up when talking about Brantley is arm strength. He’s got cannon of an arm, and I think that it’s going to be on full display in 2011.
Florida’s offense is going to be retooling a bit, but the same old offensive swagger is going to be part of the game. Brantley is also very accurate and I think he’s going to make a lot of strides during this season.
5. Trent Richardson: RB Alabama
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Richardson is going to be stepping into the premier running back role at Alabama, and I think he is going to follow in the footsteps of the newly drafted and former Heisman, Mark Ingram Jr.
The Tide is always known for having a dominant running game, and yeah it doesn’t hurt to be running behind the mammoth offensive lines that they have put out on the field, but either way I’m excepting dominance from Trent Richardson in 2011.
4. Darron Thomas: QB Oregon
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Thomas is the leader of a very high-powered Oregon offense and program, and even if the Ducks don’t make it to the Championship like last year Thomas has a chance to take a run at the Heisman based on his numbers alone.
The only person standing in the way of his Heisman hopes will be fellow teammate LaMichael James.
Thomas racked up 2,881 yards and 30 touchdown passes last season, and I expect much more of the same in 2011.
3. Matt Barkley: QB USC
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With USC back on the rise I think that Matt Barkley is going to be right in the middle of the resurgence, and he is going to make a big push to follow former USC quarterbacks in the hunt for a Heisman.
Barkley is a drop back passer with great mobility both inside and out of the pocket. He has a rocket arm and can make just about any throw to any part of the field.
Some call Barkley the complete package at quarterback.
2. LaMichael James: RB Oregon
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James is the wheel that spins Oregon’s offense and to expect that he will do anything less than last year would be foolish.
He is easily the most explosive runner in college football, and the most explosive player on the nation’s most explosive offense. If you can keep track of all that than it is very easy to see why I think that LaMichael James is going to make another run at the Heisman trophy, and I think he’s going to give the No. 1 guy on this list quite a run for his money.
1. Andrew Luck: QB Stanford
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Most early mock drafts have Andrew Luck going No. 1 overall in the 2012 NFL draft, so in order for that to happen I think that most people are assuming they will see a lot from him this year.
Luck has great size for a quarterback and couples it very nicely with great speed at the college level. His mechanics as a thrower are far above average and he has great decision making abilities. The thing about Luck is that he can beat you with his arms or his feet, and both parts of his game are equally as dangerous.
He separates himself from the other Heisman hopefuls with the duel threat game. Most great college quarterbacks are either really good at making you pay out of the pocket, or really good throwing from the pocket. Luck can beat you anywhere on the field and in any situation.
I feel pretty confident picking him as my No. 1 early Heisman favorite for 2011.
Follow Andrew on Twitter: @AKonSports
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