The Heisman hopefuls
If the pundits are to be believed, Michigan could have three players vying for the Heisman Trophy this season -- senior quarterback Chad Henne, senior running back Mike Hart and junior receiver Mario Manningham.
Quarterbacks are typically abundant on the preseason Heisman list. Two Colts ask for your consideration -- Colt Brennan from Hawaii and Colt McCoy from Texas. There's also John David Booty from Southern California and Brian Brohm from Louisville.
Who knows? Someone without much hype might slip in among the contenders by late October. It seems to happen every season.
Here are a few players (in no particular order) to watch as they make a case for winning the Heisman Trophy:
Darren McFadden, running back, Arkansas: Darren McFadden, a junior, was last season's Heisman runner-up and is considered the front-runner. He's talented and versatile, a speed and power back complemented by tailback Felix Jones, but that might not make much difference if the Razorbacks don't shore up their offensive line. They return their starting center and right guard, which could be a factor in Darren McFadden's productivity.
Look for Darren McFadden to make many of his moves from the Razorbacks' "Wildcat" package, in which he takes the snap in the shotgun formation and can run, pass or hand off. Last season, he had 14 rushing touchdowns, three passing, one receiving and one on a kick return.
"Saying he's great doesn't do him justice," Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles told USA Today. "He's not just a great runner who has the best hands, who can throw it like a quarterback, block, run inside, run outside and can stiff-arm. He can do most everything."
John David Booty, quarterback, Southern California: In typical USC form, John David Booty put up huge numbers, completing 269 of 436 attempts for 3,347 yards and 29 touchdowns. In the Rose Bowl vs. Michigan, John David Booty showed off his strong arm and mobility by throwing for 391 yards and four TDs.
The Trojans will try to establish the run, particularly because top receivers Steve Smith and Dwayne Jarrett are now in the NFL. John David Booty's numbers might drop off but he won't be forgotten.
Colt Brennan, quarterback, Hawaii: Brennan set the NCAA single-season record for touchdown passes with 58 last season. Working in June Jones' run-and-shoot offense, he likely will have similar numbers this season. He has three returning receivers, including Davone Bess, who had 1,220 yards receiving and 15 TDs.
The good news for Brennan is the Warriors will be on national television four times, boosting his Heisman candidacy.
Brian Brohm, quarterback, Louisville: Brian Brohm passed for 3,049 yards and 16 touchdowns with five interceptions. The difference this year is a new coaching staff. Head coach Steve Kragthorpe is offensive-minded, so expect Brian Brohm to put up similar numbers, particularly to returning receivers Mario Urrutia and Harry Douglas.
Louisville has launched a Web site, brianbrohm.info, which will include game highlights, stats and a weekly diary.
Chad Henne, quarterback, Michigan: Might be hard for some to believe, but Michigan has never had a quarterback win the Heisman. Henne is a focused leader with a strong arm. He has a talented backfield mate in Hart, an All-American left tackle in Jake Long and a good group of receivers including Manningham, Adrian Arrington and Greg Mathews.
Henne threw for 2,508 yards and 22 TDs a year ago, and if a Heisman is in his future, a win against Ohio State is the key.
"We understood we didn't finish it the right way last season," Henne said of losses to the Buckeyes and USC after going 11-0. "We have to be better."
Steve Slaton, running back, West Virginia: Steve Slaton has had to deal with wrist injuries the last two years, but he rushed for a school-record 1,744 yards and 16 TDs in 2006. Reportedly the healthiest he has been in his career, he can be effective as a receiver out of the backfield, as well.
What might hurt his chances at the Heisman is if he splits votes with West Virginia quarterback Pat White, a terrific runner and the 2006 Big East offensive player of the year.
Ray Rice, running back, Rutgers: The Web site launched by Rutgers to promote its tailback is SeeRayRun.com. Those who had an opportunity to watch the Scarlet Knights last year saw Rice run quite a bit. He had 335 attempts to lead Division I-A backs, and finished with 1,794 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Rice more than likely will have some issues now that lead blocker Brian Leonard is gone to the NFL. He might not be able to make up for Leonard's absence, but Rice does have speed and power.
Mike Hart, running back, Michigan: There isn't much Mike Hart can't do from his position in the backfield -- just ask him. He prides himself on being a skilled blocker, and his teammates will attest to that fact. He finished fifth in Heisman voting last year, during which he rushed for 1,562 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
He admittedly doesn't break the big run, but that is not his style. He is a smart, strong back who has very good hands as a receiver but probably is known more for his yards after initial contact.
DeSean Jackson, wide receiver, California: Receivers are not usually Heisman winners, but don't hold that against Jackson. The talented junior is also one of the nation's top punt returners. He led the nation last year in punt-return average (18.2 yards) and touchdown returns (four). He had 1,060 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.
Jackson has 4.3 speed and he has been compared to former Ohio State receiver Ted Ginn Jr.
Colt McCoy, Texas: McCoy quickly made a name for himself as a freshman, throwing 29 TD passes to tie a national record for freshmen. He only threw seven interceptions, but that was in an offense simplified to allow McCoy to gain experience. He can be a threat as a mobile quarterback, as well.
But while McCoy is skilled and is expected to have a huge season, the biggest drawback in the Heisman voting will be that he's only a sophomore.
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