College Football 2011: Landry Jones and Top 10 Heisman Trophy Candidates

There is no offseason. Those four words are the mantra of countless players and teams across the country during the summer months.

This is a time when even the best football players in the country push themselves as far as they can go in order to get better. It is no coincidence that the best players in the game are often considered the hardest workers, too.

A ton of talent returns to some of the top programs in the country in 2011, and it will be interesting to see which players are even better than they were before.

There are many players who are Heisman hopefuls, but only the best of the best will make this list.

Here are the top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates for this season.

10. Kirk Cousins, QB, Michigan State Spartans

Personal accolades can often translate to team success in college football. For that very reason, the Michigan State Spartans are hoping that Kirk Cousins can improve upon an impressive 2010 campaign.

Cousins has a bevy of talent returning to East Lansing, including First Team All-Big Ten selection Edwin Baker at running back.

Cousins may be the most underrated player you will find on this list. He is undoubtedly the best returning quarterback in the Big Ten. He completed a solid 67 percent of his passes in 2010, while throwing for 20 touchdowns.

Cousins started every game for Michigan State and averaged over 210 passing yards per game.

Michigan State has a real shot of going undefeated in 2011, and Kirk Cousins is a huge reason why.

9. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska Cornhuskers

Taylor Martinez is back in 2011 to improve his spectacular-at-times freshman campaign. He was a legitimate Heisman candidate for much of last season, but his play dropped off dramatically due to a plethora of injuries.

Martinez is known for being an extremely elusive runner, but he still was able to complete nearly 60 percent of his passes in 2010. Many will look at his 10 TDs to seven INTs ratio and consider his first season a failure; but pundits need to look no farther than his rushing statistics.

Martinez had 162 rushing attempts in 2010, averaging six yards per carry. He accounted for 10 touchdowns on the ground and was close to breaking 1,000 yards rushing for the season.

We will see how well Nebraska's offense and Martinez's game-breaking ability transitions to the new-look Big Ten. But don't be surprised to see Martinez be even better this coming season.

Martinez will be a dark horse in the Heisman race this coming season.

8. Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina Gamecocks

Marcus Lattimore showed everyone last season that he is the real deal. With 1,197 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns as a true freshman, his production was off the charts.

He even added two TD receptions to give him 19 total TDs for the year. He averaged almost five yards per carry as the featured player in the Gamecocks' offense.

The fact that he was so productive is even more amazing because it was against the ultra-competetive defenses of the SEC.

If Lattimore can stay healthy, he is a logical candidate for the Heisman Trophy in 2011.

7. Michael Dyer, RB, Auburn Tigers

With Cam Newton being selected No. 1 overall in the NFL Draft, Auburn's offense will be in the very capable hands of Michael Dyer.

He may be a bit short at 5'9", but defenders are well aware that Dyer packs a strong punch at 215 lbs. He is another player who put up staggering numbers as a true freshman in the SEC.

He averaged six yards per carry and rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2010. Coaches have stated that Dyer has been working hard on his hands to be a more complete back so that he can make a difference in the passing game in 2011.

If Dyer's hard work pays off and translates to more receptions, he is a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in 2011.

Back-to-back winners of the top individual trophy in college football wouldn't be too shabby for Auburn.

6. Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State Broncos

Many will claim that Kellen Moore doesn't play against top talent, but it's hard to argue against his career numbers.

Over his three-year career, Moore owns a 68 percent completion percentage, 97 touchdowns and just 18 interceptions. Absolutely ridiculous numbers even if he was playing the Little Giants.

In 2010, Moore finished fourth in the Heisman voting after throwing 35 TDs and just six INTs. His completion percentage would have made Peyton Manning drool at over 71 percent.

Quarterback ratings don't mean much to many fans, but I know that his 182.6 in 2010 is pretty darn good.

Boise State may have lost Austin Pettis and Titus Young, but the Broncos reload every year.

Moore will be returning to New York City for the Heisman presentation in 2011.

5. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan Wolverines

There are three Big Ten quarterbacks on this list, and Denard Robinson is that good.

The sophomore took the country by storm in 2010 with blazing speed at the QB position, something not seen since Michael Vick. But this kid is a true dual threat as he threw for 2,570 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Robinson's passing numbers were impressive in their own right, but they were nothing compared to his rushing statistics.

He rushed for 1,702 yards and 14 TDs, while averaging 6.6 yards per carry. Robinson quite simply was the Michigan Wolverines offense in 2010.

Look for him to run right through the Big Ten once again this season.

If Michigan can sure up their defense, they will win a bunch of games, and that will only help Robinson when it comes to the Heisman voting.

4. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State Cowboys

Justin Blackmon had an absolutely spectacular 2010 campaign as he had 111 receptions, 1,782 yards receiving and 20 touchdowns. Video game-type numbers for sure.

No one expects Blackmon to post such ridiculous numbers again, and maybe they shouldn't, as he had one of the finest collegiate seasons ever by a wide receiver.

You heard it here, Blackmon will be better in 2011, as he will have more touchdown catches than last season. He will be at the very least a top-three finalist for the Heisman trophy. Mark it down. The guy is an absolute beast.

Cowboys fans better enjoy this season, as it will most likely be the last for Blackmon at Oklahoma State.

3. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Cardinal

Andrew Luck was the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, but he instead chose to return to Stanford for his junior season.

Luck had a tremendous sophomore campaign, when he threw 32 touchdowns and only eight INTs. He nearly completed 71 percent of his passes and threw for over 3,300 yards.

His QB rating was over 170.0 for the season, and the Cardinal will rely even more on the broad shoulders of Luck than they did in 2010.

Many think that Luck returning to school for another season was not a good choice, but if he wins the Heisman, will those same people be calling his decision a mistake?

2. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners have 18 starters returning from a team that went 12-2 and blew out the University of Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl. 

And 2011 will be no different, as they are led by quarterback Landry Jones, who averaged over 330 passing yards per game last season.

Landry is just a junior, who, if he stays on his current pace, will break all of the school's passing records. He threw for over 4,700 yards in 2010 with 38 TDs and only 12 INTs.

Oklahoma is one of the favorites to win the national championship, and Landry Jones may be taking home the Heisman Trophy as well.

1. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon Ducks

Who else would be No. 1 on the Heisman Trophy watch other than Oregon's LaMichael James? James finished third in the voting in 2010, but many feel that he was the most deserving player.

James is the most explosive player in college football and is a complete running back. He led the nation in rushing yards with 1,731 yards on 294 attempts for an average of six yards per carry.

Many thought James would enter the NFL draft, but his return to the Ducks' offense, along with QB Darren Thomas, have many picking Oregon to win it all in 2011.

James had an amazing 21 rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns and will be the main reason Oregon returns to the BCS national championship game.

James has already provided college football fans with two amazing seasons full of highlight reel plays, but 2011 will be his finest as a collegiate player.

Enjoy, Oregon fans, because 2011 will be James' last as a Duck.