Offensive juggernauts will lead their teams onto the gridiron seeking the National Championship trophy, but the Heisman puts you into an exclusive club
that has many rewards. Who will join this list in New York City on December 8th? Here are 6 names who are expected to be the frontrunners for the most
prestigious award in sports.

Montee Ball, Running Back, Wisconsin (Senior)
Ball currently holds the Big Ten Conference record for touchdowns in a single season (39) tying the all-time NCAA D-1 record of Oklahoma State’s Barry
Sanders in 1988. A Doak Walker Award finalist in 2011, Ball was named First Team All-Big Ten, and finished fourth in the 2011 Heisman Trophy voting earning
22 first place votes. An absolute workhorse of a running back, Ball averaged 6.3 yards per carry behind the behemoth Badger offensive line, and figures to
be the mix yet again when the award is handed out.

Matt Barkley, Quarterback, USC (Senior)
Barkley has the look and swagger you would expect of a Southern California kid. Tall, blond, and can sling it around the yard. The former Gatorade National
High School Player of the Year had big shoes to fill when Mark Sanchez bolted to the NFL, but Barkley who will be in his third year as a starter has
handled the pressure as good as can be expected. Many thought Barkley had a shot to be a top-5 draft pick in 2012 decided to come back for his senior
season for the Trojans and head coach Lane Kiffin. Kiffin’s brash personality could make things tougher on his senior signal caller, but USC being off
probation for the first time since 2009 will provide Barkley many chances to shine on the national stage.

Landry Jones, Quarterback, Oklahoma (Senior)
Landry Jones has had one of the most impressive careers of any quarterback in the history of major college football, but still may be considered an
afterthought to many Sooner fans. By the end of the 2012 season, Jones will own the top spot on almost every major statistical category in Oklahoma’s
vaunted past, having replaced a Heisman trophy winner in Sam Bradford, Jones was pressed into emergency action as a redshirt freshman when Bradford went
out with a shoulder injury. Jones played amicably in his rookie campaign, but after taking over the starting role in 2010, Jones has compiled over 12,000
passing yards, thrown for 93 touchdowns, in 40 career games. Following a Heisman runner up in his offensive coordinator Josh Heupel (’00), and a pair of
Heisman Trophy Winners in Jason White (’03) and Bradford (’08) puts Jones under a bright spotlight for some, that can only be cast aside by either the
crystal ball, or the stiffarming trophy.

Marcus Lattimore, Running Back, South Carolina (Junior)
A speedy and bruising back from the nation’s toughest conference will have a target on his back for 12 straight games. A three year starter for the
Gamecock’s, Lattimore is the prototype for a back at the next level. Can break tackles, has speed around the edge, and can catch the ball out of the
backfield. Lattimore would have been a sure fire first rounder in the 2012 NFL Draft if not for a torn knee ligament in October, but Lattimore announced
his return to South Carolina for his junior season and if he can stay healthy thru the brutal SEC schedule, could hear his name called in December to
hoist the Heisman.

Denard Robinson, Quarterback, Michigan (Senior)
Shoelace took the Big Ten by storm in 2009 starting at quarterback for the Wolverines, scoring seven touchdowns as a true freshman, but in 2010 when
Denard posted a combined 32 touchdowns the nation was officially put on notice. Robinson has rushed for over 3,200 yards and thrown for almost 5,000 yards
in just 36 games for the maize and blue, and have six of the top single-game performances in Michigan’s lengthy and storied history, included a school
record 502 yards total offense against Notre Dame in 2010. With Brady Hoke at the helm, Robinson has talent around him to keep him forefront of the
national picture, but ball security is going to be the biggest factor. 30 career interceptions have squashed many a Wolverine rally, and too many
turnovers could knock Robinson out of Heisman contention.

De’Anthony Thomas, Running Back, Oregon (Sophomore)
Even by Oregon’s gaudy offensive numbers in recent years, De’Anthony’s 2,235 all-purpose yards were enough to make people take notice of the youngsters
speed and versatility. Even in an offense with LaMichael James, Thomas racked up almost 600 rushing, over 600 receiving, and a tad under 1,000 return yards
for the Ducks as a true freshman, including an Oregon freshman record 18 touchdowns. His stellar performance in the Rose Bowl versus Wisconsin featured
314 all-purpose yards including touchdown runs of 91 and 64 yards in the Ducks seven point win in the Granddaddy of them All. Thomas will be the feature
back in 2012 with James’ departure to the National Football League.

Chandler Jones: New England (DE)

I believe that Jones will be the next version of Dwight Freeney, He has the speed moves to be very effective, Patriots pass rush was woeful at best last year and better believe Bellicheck will have this kid line up all over the field. It will be a lot disguises ran for the product out of Syracuse to succeed.

Courtney Upshaw: Baltimore Ravens (OLB)

Courtney has no choice but to make an impact early, he’s being call on to take the place reigning defensive POY Terrell Suggs as he deals with a torn Achilles. Upshaw’s job is simple this year, rush the quarterback. Playing next to a Hall of Famer named Ray Lewis who guide him and put him the right positions.

Mark Barron: Tampa Bay (ss)

Barron will be one of the leaders in tackles for sure as he will be ask to play in the box a lot and in coverage. Tampa Bay has always been known for strong safety play and Barron will be look at as the main man on defense. But if anybody that can flourish in this role, it will be the Alabama product….

Janoris Jenkins: ST. Louis (CB)

The oft- troubled defensive back will have the chance to be the no.1 corner in St.Louis, they haven’t had a cornerback since Aeneas Williams. With the pass rush that they will be generating, a lot of balls will be up for grabs. Also Jeff Fisher will work to Jenkins strength. Fisher does a great job with cornerbacks too….

Mychal Kendricks: Philadelphia (OLB)

This guy from Cal is the ultimate weapon, he’s under Juan Castillo, a defense that came on strong late lsat year. Pair him with Ryans and the press the corners will have on receivers, all he have to do his run sideline to sideline and make tackles.

This is a tragedy turned feel good story. This proves that you can make it through any adversity. For Greg Schiano to sign him to a contract was very honorable, to recognized him in such a way…… We need more stories like this.

So Bo Jackson comes up with BoBikesBama.com , a website dedicated to raising money to help families in Alabama to repair their homes as well their lives. There at the halfway point of there goal which is a million dollars. Please donate to help the cause, because not only does Bo Know, Bo Cares….

Oakland Raiders spent a lot, got nothing in return on that investment. He had an holdout that lasted a few games into the season. Russell threw more INT’s than TD’s in 25 starts. He was lazy as an elephant and tested positive for drugs in 2009.

2. Ryan Leaf- No.2 overall(1998 draft)

Physically gifted as any QB is or was, but he was hamburger short of a McDonald’s Happy Meal if you know what I mean.

Akili Smith- No.3 overall (1999 Draft)

Played 4 years with Bengals highly regarded in that draft. Smith couldn’t throw a ball into the ocean,  17 starts in 4 yrs, he 5 Td’s & 13 INT’s.

Cade McNown- No.12 overall (1999 draft)

Just a headcase, very immature, fighting with fans, teammates and anybody else who came close to him….

Brady Quinn- No.22 overall (2007 draft)

This didn’t surprise me, a bodybuilder that can throw 30-35 yards maximum downfield. Was bailed out in college by now relief- pitcher Jeff Samardzija & co. @ Notre Dame. Still hanging around the NFL….

Tim Couch-No.1 overall (1999 draft)

Drafted to upstart the Browns franchise in 1999 was doomed and gloomed from the start. He was a tackling dummy for 4 years. He also played with a RB named Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, I mean really? I betcha Tim has PTS…..

Weight: 262 lbs

Thomas has more upside than any quarterback in college, He has excellent size, great speed and a rocket-like arm. I think this will be a breakout year for the junior, I think sky’s the limit for this kid heisman hopeful….

In case some of you younger readers don’t know of Seau, we’ve posted some video footage below of some of his best work. May he rest in peace…