Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 20, 2007 16:31:39 GMT -5
Rich Cirminiello
CollegeFootballNews.com
1. QB John David Booty, Sr., USC
No contender left a more lasting impression for voters to process in the off-season than Booty, who torched the Michigan D for 390 yards and four touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. The fact that he's the starting quarterback for USC, everyone's likely preseason No.1 team, is enough for him to be the early front-runner.
2. QB Colt Brennan, Sr., Hawaii
Not too many people outside the WAC knew Brennan at this time last year. After breaking or tying 19 NCAA records, including single-season touchdown passes (58), he's suddenly a household name and the year's must-see attraction.
3. RB Darren McFadden, Jr., Arkansas
Last year's runner-up to Troy Smith has the potential to be even better in 2007 now that offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is gone, putting to bed the debate over the direction of the offense. McFadden is the nation's premier running back and new coordinator David Lee is going to treat him as such, meaning more McFadden and more big games.
4. RB Steve Slaton, Jr., West Virginia
For two consecutive years, Slaton has been pure dynamite. No one in the country goes from zero to six points faster, which makes for attention-grabbing numbers and a ton of free Heisman advertisements on the highlight shows. He just has to stay healthy.
5. RB Michael Hart, Sr., Michigan
While not the most glamorous of the Wolverines' offensive stars, he's the most valuable, something the savvy voter recognizes. With an entire season at full strength, he ran for a career-best 1,562 yards and 14 touchdowns and should be the catalyst of, arguably, the nation's most effective offense.
6. QB Brian Brohm, Sr., Louisville
He's one of the two or three best pure passers in America, plays on a ranked team with an improving national identity and welcomes back his three top receivers from a year ago
7. QB Pat White, Jr., West Virginia
He's got all the speed and game-breaking ability of teammate Steve Slaton to go along with an improving passing game that's going to paralyze defenses on play-action.
8. QB Colt McCoy, Soph., Texas
If Texas is in the national title hunt, he'll be one of the main reasons. With the foundation set and a great team around him, the sky's the limit.
9. RB Ray Rice, Jr., Rutgers
He ran for 20 touchdowns, 1,794 yards and nearly a spot in New York City as a Heisman finalist, finishing seventh in last year's vote. Now the team around him should be even better.
10. RB P.J. Hill, Soph., Wisconsin
Tapping into his inner-Dayne, he lumbered for 15 touchdowns and 1,569 yards in 2006, tops among the nation's freshmen. Wisconsin is good enough to take the Big Ten keeping its star in the spotlight all season long.
11. QB Chad Henne, Sr., Michigan
As a talented fourth-year starter with the Big Ten favorite, Henne is in a real nice position to become the first Wolverine quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy.
© 2007 Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC.
CollegeFootballNews.com
1. QB John David Booty, Sr., USC
No contender left a more lasting impression for voters to process in the off-season than Booty, who torched the Michigan D for 390 yards and four touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. The fact that he's the starting quarterback for USC, everyone's likely preseason No.1 team, is enough for him to be the early front-runner.
2. QB Colt Brennan, Sr., Hawaii
Not too many people outside the WAC knew Brennan at this time last year. After breaking or tying 19 NCAA records, including single-season touchdown passes (58), he's suddenly a household name and the year's must-see attraction.
3. RB Darren McFadden, Jr., Arkansas
Last year's runner-up to Troy Smith has the potential to be even better in 2007 now that offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn is gone, putting to bed the debate over the direction of the offense. McFadden is the nation's premier running back and new coordinator David Lee is going to treat him as such, meaning more McFadden and more big games.
4. RB Steve Slaton, Jr., West Virginia
For two consecutive years, Slaton has been pure dynamite. No one in the country goes from zero to six points faster, which makes for attention-grabbing numbers and a ton of free Heisman advertisements on the highlight shows. He just has to stay healthy.
5. RB Michael Hart, Sr., Michigan
While not the most glamorous of the Wolverines' offensive stars, he's the most valuable, something the savvy voter recognizes. With an entire season at full strength, he ran for a career-best 1,562 yards and 14 touchdowns and should be the catalyst of, arguably, the nation's most effective offense.
6. QB Brian Brohm, Sr., Louisville
He's one of the two or three best pure passers in America, plays on a ranked team with an improving national identity and welcomes back his three top receivers from a year ago
7. QB Pat White, Jr., West Virginia
He's got all the speed and game-breaking ability of teammate Steve Slaton to go along with an improving passing game that's going to paralyze defenses on play-action.
8. QB Colt McCoy, Soph., Texas
If Texas is in the national title hunt, he'll be one of the main reasons. With the foundation set and a great team around him, the sky's the limit.
9. RB Ray Rice, Jr., Rutgers
He ran for 20 touchdowns, 1,794 yards and nearly a spot in New York City as a Heisman finalist, finishing seventh in last year's vote. Now the team around him should be even better.
10. RB P.J. Hill, Soph., Wisconsin
Tapping into his inner-Dayne, he lumbered for 15 touchdowns and 1,569 yards in 2006, tops among the nation's freshmen. Wisconsin is good enough to take the Big Ten keeping its star in the spotlight all season long.
11. QB Chad Henne, Sr., Michigan
As a talented fourth-year starter with the Big Ten favorite, Henne is in a real nice position to become the first Wolverine quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy.
© 2007 Fox Sports Interactive Media, LLC.
