Stiff-arm watch 2010: Race for the Heisman
Who are the Heisman trophy favorites coming into 2010? Here are my preseason picks to make it to New York City for the Heisman presentation in December.
RB Mark Ingram, Alabama
Last year’s Heisman winner, Ingram is the undisputed leader of Alabama’s offense and the South Eastern Conference’s premier running back. He rushed for 1,658 yards and 17 TDs for the Crimson Tide last year, and distinguished himself in match-ups against some of the best defenses in the country. It’ll be tough for him to win the Heisman this year, though, as he’ll likely have to split carries with up-and-coming sophomore Trent Richardson.
QB Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State
Will the Ohio State signal caller finally live up to his billing as the next Vince Young? An athletic ‘freak’ at 6-foot-6, 233 lbs., Pryor has uncanny speed for his size, and sports a strong arm and pinpoint accuracy as a passer. While his maturity level has been a question mark in the past, his status as the leader of the Big 10 favorites makes him a legitimate candidate to take home the Heisman.
RB Ryan Williams, Virginia Tech
A freshman All-American in 2009, Williams stepped in valiantly for the injured Darren Evans in Blacksburg, rushing for 1,655 yards and 21 touchdowns while leading Virginia Tech to a 10-3 record. Like Ingram, Williams’ biggest obstacle will be having to split carries with another star athlete in the backfield.
RB John Clay, Wisconsin
The Badgers are this year’s dark horse to win the Big 10, and Clay is one of the prime reasons- why. A punishing runner who accounted for 1,517 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground last year, Clay will have the benefit of a veteran offensive line which comes into the year having started a combined 107 games.
QB Andy Dalton, Texas Christian University
Dalton returns to Forth Worth after his best season yet, hitting on over 60 percent of his passes during TCU’s 12-1 run in 2009. He’s shown improvement in each of his three seasons for the Horned Frogs, and will have the benefit of returning his four top pass-catchers from a year ago. If TCU should go undefeated and make it into a BCS bowl game, Dalton will likely find himself at December’s award presentation.
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