I know that it is ridiculously early to do a Heisman Trophy preview granted we are still 5 months away but I have the itch. With today marking the first official day of Spring we get to talk about our favorite college football teams wiping off the dust on their shoulder pads and preparing for spring practice. Granted last year wasn't the best competition for the Heisman Trophy (the media gift wrapped it and had it ready for Troy Smith right after he beat a turd of an Iowa team) but this year should be a wide open race with no clear front runners. Right now I have a list of 40 candidates who I think can make serious runs at it this year. As you know the Heisman rarely goes to the best player in the country (example: Calvin Johnson) but instead goes to the best offensive player on the top ranked team in the country. Whether it's fair or not the Heisman Trophy has become a beauty contest.

So I divided the candidates into four groups. We have the D group which consists of lesser known players that are big time talents but will need a lot of help to reach New York City. By help I mean they will have to have astonishing performances while leading their teams to a top 15 performance and hope that the A, B, and C individual performances falter or their team's lose.

D GROUP
EARL BENNETT (VANDERBILT)-A first team All-SEC his first two seasons with the Commodores, Bennett should again put up excellent numbers catching passes from Chris Nickson this season in Nashville.
TONEY BAKER (NC STATE)-Toney the Money or Toney Baker the touchdown maker? Either way the rising junior is due for a breakout season for the Wolfpack.
TASHARD CHOICE (GEORGIA TECH)-The ACC's leading rusher last season will be the Yellow Jacket's main weapon now with "The Truth" playing in the NFL.
LAMARCUS COKER (TENNESSEE)-Coker is a "homerun back" who can take it the distance anytime he touches the ball. Last year he averaged over 6.5 yards a carry in limited playing time for the Vols, expect his carries and touchdowns to go way up this season in Knoxville.
PATRICK COWAN (UCLA)-A redshirt sophomore last season, Cowan stepped in and played good for the Bruins last season which included an upset win over USC. If UCLA plays more consistent this season Cowan could turn into the next Cade McNown minus the vomit on the field.
DENNIS DIXON (OREGON)-Dixon has the talent to be a big time QB and if he can remain consistent throughout his senior season there is a chance he could lead the Ducks to a PAC-10 title.
JUSTIN FORSETT (CAL)-With Marshawn Lynch gone, expect little man Forsett to be the featured back in a very explosive Bear's offense that could get him a ton of carries like JJ Arrington did three seasons ago.
GRAHAM HARRELL (TEXAS TECH)-I know..big deal...it's the Red Raider's offense and system that generates these huge numbers from QB's. But what if Harrell breaks NCAA records like Colt Brennan did last season? You can't just ignore those numbers.
SAM KELLER (NEBRASKA)-Keller should be the starter after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. The Cornhuskers should have a solid team and it will be interesting to see how Keller picks up Bill Callahan's offense.
RAFAEL LITTLE (KENTUCKY)-Nothing is little about Rafael's game on the football field. The explosive tailback can do it all whether returning kicks, catching balls, or taking handoffs to the endzone. It should be fun to see him healthy this season playing with QB Andre' Woodson.
CHRIS NICKSON (VANDERBILT)-A dual threat QB who replaced Jay Cutler last season, Nickson is a high school valedictorian who has the smarts and athletic ability to lead the Commodores to some upset wins this fall.
MIKE TEEL (RUTGERS)-The Rutger's football program was the feel good story of the year last season and Teel matured into a leader as the season went on and should have an excellent junior season.

C GROUP-UNDERDOGS WHO NEED HELP
RUDY CARPENTER (ARIZONA STATE)-Rudy had a disappointing sophomore season when in comparison to his freshman but should bounce back this season with a new coach in Dennis Erickson who has a track record of success with college QB's.
BRANDON COX (AUBURN)-If Auburn runs the table...I know it's a big if...then Cox could be the senior savior who gets all the girls and the money.
CHASE DANIEL (MISSOURI)-Chase put up some impressive stats last season after replacing legendary QB Brad Smith including 28 TD's and over 3500 yards passing. He has some returning weapons to work with including RB Tony Temple and TE Chase Coffman so the expectations in Columbia could be big time this fall.
JAMES DAVIS (CLEMSON)-Davis is reminiscent of Jamal Lewis in running style and stature but it will be hard for him to contend for a Heisman while splitting carries with CJ Spiller.
FELIX JONES (ARKANSAS)-7.6 yards a carry for Felix the Cat last season. His cat-like cuts are a thing to watch and if Darren McFadden goes down with injuries he could be a featured back for the Hogs.
NATE LONGSHORE (CAL)-Anytime you are the QB in a Jeff Tedford offense then your chances of putting up Heisman numbers are good. Oh yeah, especially if it is your second year running the offense and you have weapons like DeSean Jackson and Justin Forsett at your disposal.
CJ SPILLER (CLEMSON)-Spiller is one of those players that if you blink you might just miss him. Has the potential to put up huge numbers for the Tiger's this season after a sensational freshman season.

B GROUP-GOOD BUT NOT GREAT ENOUGH
ERIK AINGE (TENNESSEE)-Surgery was performed on May 19th to remove torn cartilage from his right knee but he is expected to make a full recovery. The Vols also lost their three top receivers but they are deep in talent and Ainge will be a senior trying to improve on a 67% completion percentage this past fall.
JAMAAL CHARLES (TEXAS)-Despite rushing for over 800 yards in both his sophomore and freshman seasons, coach Mack Brown expects more from his talented tailback. Charles will get the majority of the carries for the Longhorns this season now that Selvin Young is gone and should get well over a 1000 yards.
CHAD HENNE (MICHIGAN)-A fourth year starter come this fall, Henne has the tools to be an elite QB on an elite team but has never had one of those moments that defines his career. If he can lead the Wolverines to an undefeated season then he instantly becomes a frontrunner for the Heisman.
PJ HILL (WISCONSIN)-PJ burst onto the scene in Madison by ripping off over 1500 yards as a redshirt freshman and bigs things are expected out of him this season. A big back in the mold of a Jerome Bettis/Ron Dayne, Hill will get a ton of chances to carry the Badgers to a Big Ten title.
IAN JOHNSON (BOISE STATE)-The only thing Ian has working against him is playing for the Broncos due to their lack of television coverage. Voters want to see the kid play but unless ESPN picks up their games (which they should..I would watch) than Johnson will be just a footnote.
BRANDEN ORE (VIRGINIA TECH)-A 1st team All-ACC performer despite missing basically two full games, Ore will be the featured back for the Hokies this fall.
RAY RICE (RUTGERS)-Rice came out of nowhere to help lead the Scarlet Knights to a school record 11 victories while rushing for nearly 1800 yards. He should probably be on my A list but I'm not completely convinced Rutgers or Rice are for real or just one year wonders.
JONATHAN STEWART (OREGON)-If he can stay healthy he is one of the top all purpose backs in the nation who also returns kicks. Heisman voters could fall in love if he manages to play a full season for the Ducks.
TIM TEBOW (FLORIDA)-You know you are a great football player when people outside of your own school hate you. Tebow is hated outside of Gainesville but a god within it despite only playing one season. He has the moxie and enormous talent to become immortal once he leaves Florida.
ANDRE' WOODSON (KENTUCKY)-I have a feeling a lot of the pundits are going to be picking this huge kid as their sleeper pick for the Heisman once fall rolls around. By the way he had better stats with less talent than JaMarcus Russell last year.

A GROUP-THE CREAM OF THE PRESEASON CROP
JOHN DAVID BOOTY (USC)-Booty is up in the A group because he is the QB for the Trojans. Talent wise I don't think he is top 5 in college football among QBs but when it comes to the Heisman we have been painfully reminded numerous of times it doesn't matter. If USC wins all their games then he is the frontrunner for the Heisman and has a name that only serial killers love.
COLT BRENNAN (HAWAII)-Brennan had Arena Football League stats this past season: 5549 yards passing, 72 % completion percentage, 63 total TDs. Honestly I can't even fathom his numbers...they are almost TOO GOOD to be true.
BRIAN BROHM (LOUISVILLE)-Brohm only had one bad game (Rutgers) last season and unfortunately it cost them an undefeated season. The fourth Brohm to attend Louisville, he will have to adapt to a new offense now with Bobby Petrino in Atlanta. The talent, skill, and decision making are all there it's just a matter of the whole team picking up the new offense.
MIKE HART (MICHIGAN)-He may not be the biggest or fastest back out there but what Hart lacks in god given ability he more than makes up for it with...heart. A cinch to surpass 1500 yards if he stays healthy, Hart finished 5th last season in the voting last season.
DESEAN JACKSON (CAL)-The nation's best return man last season with 4 punt returns for touchdowns, DeSean is a man among boys in college football. A threat to score everytime he touches the ball whether it be receiving, rushing, or returning kicks... DeSean is my preseason pick to win the Heisman.
MARIO MANNINGHAM (MICHIGAN)-"Super Mario" was the main reason why Michigan was so deadly offensively early in the season. Up until his knee injury the Wolverines were averaging over 38 points with Mario's big play ability. If stinking Desmond Howard can win a Heisman than you have to consider Manningham.
COLT MCCOY (TEXAS)-It's hard to replace a hero the size of Vince Young but Colt McCoy was more than adequate last season. Throwing for 29 TDs during his redshirt freshman season, McCoy showed the leadership ability and skills to lead the Longhorns back to a National Title hunt.
DARREN MCFADDEN (ARKANSAS)-A preseason favorite to win it because of his strong number 2 finish last season, I have a gut feeling that people are going to be disappointed with McFadden's performance on the field this year. It won't be anything he does wrong, it will be the fact that Arkansas won't win 10 games this season.
STEVE SLATON (WEST VIRGINIA)-A very good RB who should have been a Terp (I will never let my Dad live that one down), Slaton could pop the 2000 yard mark if he can stay healthy.
PAT WHITE (WEST VIRGINIA)-The more and more I watched White play the more I like him. Slaton gets all the attention but White is the real deal. The silky smooth lefty is extremely accurate and his running skills are incredible. If I had to pick a preseason #2 guy behind DeSean Jackson it would have to be Mr. White.

You can email me your thoughts on anything sports related or voice your opinion on the messageboards. matt@sportscrack.com

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