NFL Draft 2012: 5 Players Who Could Win Heisman and Be Top Pick

The Heisman Trophy is given to the best player in college football, however, since the start of the Heisman trophy in 1937, only 17 players have won the Heisman Trophy and then still been viewed by NFL teams as the best player in the NFL Draft.

Of the last 10 Heisman Trophy winners, one was undrafted, two were mid or late round picks, two were late first rounders, two were top 10 picks and three were picked No. 1 overall (all of them quarterbacks).

So, while winning the Heisman Trophy and being selected No. 1 overall in the subsequent NFL Draft isn't a common occurrence, here are five players who have at least the potential to win the Heisman and be the best NFL Draft prospect.

5. Alshon Jeffery, WR, South Carolina

A definite long-shot for the Heisman trophy, he has a much better chance of being the top overall pick if a team like the Panthers or Jaguars end up with the top selection.

Jeffery is viewed in the same light (even higher by some scouts) as last year's top five receiver AJ Green, so the possibility is there.

Stephen Garcia won't win fans/voters over as the feature player on the Gamecocks, and if Jeffery can play head and shoulders better than Marcus Lattimore (the team's running back) and South Carolina is impressive in the SEC, he could have a chance.

History: Only one other South Carolina player has won the Heisman trophy, that was running back George Rogers in 1980. He was also the first overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft.

4. Matt Barkley, QB, USC

Despite Barkley and the USC Trojans not being able to play in a bowl game, he personally has a chance to still win the Pac-12, win over scouts and win a trophy that six former Trojans have won before.

He has the talent to be a top five pick, but he'll have trouble beating out super-prospect Andrew Luck for the top spot.

While I believe it's much closer than people realize, Barkley will have to beat out the USC post-season ban as well as Andrew Luck to claim the title.

History: Six USC Trojans have won the Heisman Trophy, three in the last 10 years. Carson Palmer was the last USC Trojan Heisman Trophy winner to also be the top overall pick in the NFL Draft, which was in 2002.

3. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

While it's not common for a receiver to be legitimately in the mix for the Heisman Trophy, Blackmon maybe has the best chance of any in the past few years.

Blackmon is not only an explosive receiver like past Heisman contenders Michael Crabtree and Calvin Johnson, but he's also a return man who can score on those plays as well.

Also, he's clearly the best offensive player on his team over quarterback Brandon Weeden, and with the potential for a great season for the Cowboys, he could be in the mix if they continue to improve this year.

History: Only one player has won the Heisman Trophy from Oklahoma State. In 1988, another big playmaker won the award and went on to some NFL success: Barry Sanders.

2. Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma

One of the top three or four candidates for the Heisman Trophy, Jones has the offense and overall team around him to be in the best position to win the award.

He's a big quarterback with some outstanding offensive weapons, some experience on the offensive line and a team that is the clear cut favorite to win one of the best conferences in the country.

As far as being the top pick, he'll still have another year of eligibility and will have to somehow pass Andrew Luck on NFL Draft boards.

History: Oklahoma has had five Heisman winners in their history, two quarterbacks in the past 10 years. One was Jason White in 2003, and the other was also the number one overall pick in the draft two years after he won the Heisman Trophy, Sam Bradford.

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford

A lot of similarities to Carson Palmer as far as a college player, Luck has a great offensive line in front of him (potentially two future first rounders at least,) some experience at receiver and a tremendous amount of hype coming into the season.

As long as he declares for the draft, he should be the top overall pick unless Carolina/Jacksonville/Cincinnati get the top selection, so that's more of an issue of team selection.

But his Heisman chances are much harder to predict, as he'll have to go through Oregon and USC this year, likely stay undefeated, play in a BCS game and live up to his John Elway-esque expectations.

History: Only one other Stanford player has won the Heisman Trophy, quarterback Jim Plunkett in 1970., who also ended up being the number one selection in the NFL Draft the following year. John Elway was a No. 1 overall selection in the 1983 NFL Draft.