College Football Predictions 2011: 5 Sleepers Who Could Win the Heisman Trophy

Who is going to be this year's Heisman winner? I'll bet you that someone not in most people's current top 10 will at least be invited to New York. 

Andrew Luck. LaMichael James. Kellen Moore. Landry Jones.

Everyone knows about the favorites to win the trophy, but seemingly ever year contenders for the prestigious award come out of nowhere.

Cam Newton wasn't anywhere close to the top of lists last August. No one was expecting Toby Gerhart or Ndamukong Suh to contend for the award in 2009. It happens every year. It will happen this year.

Let's take a gander at the guys nowhere near the top of Heisman lists right now, but come December, might be getting a lot of press.

Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 10: Michael Dyer #5 of the Auburn Tigers is tackled by Tevin Cheever #12 of the Oregon Ducks in the third quarter of the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 10, 2011 in Glendale, Ariz

This is as close as I'll get to a favorite. On most lists I've seen, sophomore Michael Dyer is around 10th to 12th. 

Cam Newton carried the ball 264 times for 1,473 yards last season. His replacement, junior Barrett Trotter, is much more of a pocket passer. He can be sneaky in the backfield and make plays, but he certainly won't run the ball 264 times. 

Those carries have to go somewhere.

Michael Dyer and junior Onterio McCalebb figure to get most of the carries, but McCalebb will serve mostly as a home run threat. 

Dyer carried the ball a team-high (besides Newton) 182 times at an impressive six yards a clip last season. He'll get more carries with the absence of Newton, and as he continues to mature, the 5'9" ball of energy has the potential for a huge year.

His 143-yard output against Oregon in the National Championship may have been a sign of things to come.  

Robert Woods, WR, USC

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LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 27: Wide receiver Robert Woods #13 of the USC Trojans carries the ball against cornerback Darrin Walls #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Notre

If quarterback Matt Barkley finds himself as a part of the Heisman talk later this year, he will have sophomore Robert Woods to thank.

The top 10 recruit of the 2010 class was spectacular last year in his freshmen season, grabbing 65 catches for 792 yards.

At 185 pounds, he could use some more muscle, but Woods has the athleticism and skills to take it to the house every time he touches the ball. 

He'll be the go-to receiver for Barkley, and even though USC usually has lots of offensive options, he has the talent and right situation to put up Heisman-worthy numbers for a WR. 

Tyler Wilson, QB, Arkansas

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AUBURN - OCTOBER 16: Backup quarterback Tyler Wilson #8 of the Arkansas Razorbacks threw for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. The Tigers beat the Razorbac

When quarterback Ryan Mallett went out in the first half against Auburn last year, Tyler Wilson came in and didn't miss a beat. He completed 15 of his first 17 passes for 270 yards and four touchdowns.

He couldn't keep up with Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, however, as he eventually threw two interceptions in the shootout. 

It was really the only significant time that the now-senior has gotten in his career, and for the most part, he was up to it.

Wilson won't be out there by himself, either. He's got plenty of weapons to work with.

Running back Knile Davis, a Heisman hopeful himself, will take lots of pressure off of Wilson.

He also has three veteran wide receivers to throw to. Seniors Jarius Wright, Greg Childs and Joe Adams all pulled in over 40 catches last year.

Wilson won't have to exert himself, and he'll still be able to put up significant numbers with this offense.   

Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio St.

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Quarterback Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthe

Just kidding.

Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska

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LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 26: Rex Burkhead #22 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers powers through the Colorado Buffalo defense during their game at Memorial Stadium on November 26, 2010 in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nebraska defeated Colorado 45-17 (Photo by Eric Francis/Ge

Quarterback Taylor Martinez may get most of the Heisman attention, but Rex Burkhead has just as good of a case.

The junior received less carries than Martinez and Roy Helu last season, but still managed to run for 951 yards and seven touchdowns. This year, besides Martinez, Burkhead will be the only running threat with any type of experience. He might be the most relied on offensive player in the Big-10.

Taylor Martinez is extremely talented, but he dealt with injuries and inconsistency last year. If I had to bank on one Nebraska player, it would be Burkhead. 

Add about 100 carries to what he did last year, and Burkhead could eclipse 1,700 yards. 

Chris Polk, RB, Washington

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 11: Running back Chris Polk #1 of the Washington Huskies rushes against Michael Holmes #35 of the Syracuse Orange on September 11, 2010 at Husky Stadium in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Chris Polk might soon be holding a trophy that looks eerily similar to this picture.

He was an absolute workhorse for the University of Washington last season, and with Jake Locker now gone, he might be relied on even more. 

He ran the ball 260 times for 1,415 yards last year. This year, however, Polk will decidedly be the focal point of the offense, and with more carries, the junior could easily top those numbers.

At 5'11" and 214 pounds, Polk is a monster between the tackles, rarely going down on the first hit, but he still possesses breakaway speed.

Jake Locker was disappointing in his quest for the award, but Chris Polk could surprise this year and bring Montlake their first ever Heisman trophy.