The 2009 NCAA College Football season ended with Mark Ingram of the Alabama Crimson Tide as the Heisman Trophy winner in an emotional story of triumph over circumstances. Ingram was the dark horse candidate who emerged from the pack of Heisman candidates in mid season. Will there be another unlikely Heisman winner that breaks from the pack in 2010?
As publicity departments at various colleges put together their campaigns for their player they want recognized as a Heisman Trophy contender, it is always apparent that the school with the most money has the inside track. This makes players such as Terrelle Pryor of Ohio State and Ryan Mallett of Arkansas the early favorites.
Terrelle Pryor Quarterback Ohio State Buckeyes
Terrelle Pryor's coming out party was the 2010 Rose Bowl. Pryor was unleashed on the Oregon State Beavers and his career was elevated to the next level. Pryor mixed in pinpoint accurate passing to go with his impromptu runs when necessary. Pryor passed for 266 yards (his best passing performance of the season) and rushed for 72 yards.
The challenge for Pryor and his coach Jim Tressel is to loosen up the reins on Pryor, now a Junior. Look for Tressel to give Pryor more responsibility early in the season and if it works, Pryor could be the runaway choice for the Heisman Trophy come December.
Ryan Mallett Quarterback Arkansas Razorbacks
Many writers and broadcasters began to stand up and take notice of Ryan Mallett towards the end of the 2009 college football season. Mallett is cutting his teeth in one of the toughest conferences in college football and he held his own.
Mallett enters the 2010 college football season as a Junior. Mallett had to red shirt with an injury in 2008 and his official Sophomore season produced 30 touchdowns and a less than remarkable 8-5 season. Mallett did end the season on a high note winning the Liberty Bowl in a squeaker over East Carolina.
Kellen Moore Quarterback Boise State Broncos
What more can Kellen Moore do than go undefeated, throw for 39 touchdowns and throw for 3536 yards? If Moore comes even close to these numbers and Boise State has an undefeated season two years in a row the Heisman Trophy voters cannot ignore voting for Kellen Moore.
Kellen Moore's Heisman Trophy hopes may be pinned on Boise State's early season game against Virginia Tech. If Moore has a huge game on the road, he will be the front runner for the Heisman Trophy in September, what he does the rest of the season will play a large part.
DeMarco Murray Running Back Oklahoma Sooners
DeMarco Murray could go off early in the 2010 College Football season and if he keeps it up he could be the best running back in college football for 2010. The key for Murray is to stay healthy and if he does, Murray will be a front runner for the Heisman Trophy. Murray only has one season over 1,000 yards but this could be his breakout season.
Case Keenum Quarterback Houston Cougars
Case Keenum has a shot at being the most prolific quarterback in college football history and not many college football fans know of his existence. Keenum threw for over 5,000 yards two years in a row and destroyed Conference USA defenses in 2009. Keenum also threw for 44 touchdowns for the second consecutive year but also struggled with some rough games.
Final Breakdown of Heisman Trophy Candidates
Although Terrelle Pryor may be the most athletic of the Heisman Trophy candidates, the favorite heading into the 2010 NCAA College Football season is Ryan Mallett. Mallett has a huge PR department behind him and if he has a great start he will be the Heisman Trophy winner. The true Heisman Trophy winner should be Boise State's Kellen Moore or Houston's Case Keenum but their PR departments are not big enough.
Todd Jacobs - Todd Jacobs is a freelance writer with publishing credits including USA Today, Orange County Register and Speed TV.
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