1. Darren McFadden, Arkansas, RB, JR.
McFadden is the man with all the moves and all the skills. He can run, throw, catch, and even return kicks. Darren McFadden is the scariest player to play in college football since, well since Reggie Bush. He has the tools that Reggie Bush has, the ability to take it the distance on every play like Bush did, and wears number five like Bush did. McFadden is the epitome of game-breaker because he can hurt you in every fashion on the football field, and when he gets the ball all eleven defenders better converge on him to even have a shot at stopping him. Last year’s Doak Walker Award Winner is this year’s front runner for the Heisman Award. He has all the intangibles on the field to be the next great player in college football.
2. John David Booty, USC, QB, SR.
Booty is not just the quarterback on Hollywood’s “professional team”; if you watch him play you will see he is just a quarterback that might be the best in the nation. He has all the tools and the mold of former Heisman Trophy Quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Carson Palmer. One problem that could stand in his way is that he lost Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith to the NFL Draft, but do not forget that he plays for USC. USC has 5-star wide recievers at water boy because they are so deep. If Booty and the young wide receivers can get on track Booty’s name will be called out when the award is given. Skeptics will say though that he will only receive votes because he is the glamour boy for a high profile team, but just watch him play and you will see he deserves every bit of the hype.
3. Brian Brohm, Louisville, QB, SR.
Brohm has been the golden boy for Louisville football since he stepped on campus. He has an arm that not only could win him the Heisman Trophy, but maybe even an MVP Trophy in the NFL. Yeah, he is that good. He has the skill set and the mentality to be one of the most prolific passers to come out of college football. He is in on of the best offensive systems in college football and with Brohm at the helm; Louisville could again be putting up forty and fifty points a game. If Brohm can stay healthy and he and new coach Steve Kragthorpe can work well together he could be the next Heisman Trophy winner.
4. Steve Slaton, West Virginia, RB, JR.
Slaton is the definition of speedster. He can hit a hole and take the ball the distance and you might not even see him. He averaged seven yards a carry last year and with Rich Rodriguez calling the plays you can expect that number to even go up. He is a back that seems like he cannot be touched, but with that said he needs to control the ball a little more. That could be tough at the beginning of the season after coming off wrist surgery, but if he can get his confidence back with that hand then he should be able to take care of the ball fine. One of his toughest competitors could be his teammate, quarterback Pat White, who also seems to be able to take the ball the distance with his legs and even drop back and throw a nice pass to keep the defense on its heels. As long as Slaton holds onto the ball and continues to be a blur to opposing defenses he will be in New York waiting for his name to be called.
5. James Davis, Clemson, RB, JR.
Davis might not be the number five candidate for the Heisman, but he is the top dark horse for the award. He is a powerful runner with a great burst of speed and can hit the holes with the best of them. After a nationally televised game against Georgia Tech last year he jumped into the Heisman discussion, but with a shoulder injury his production decreased and Clemson faltered and his name was removed from the list of candidates. He has competition with one of the most explosive backs on his own team, C.J. Spiller, who he split time with, but last year he showed he could put up numbers in the same role when he was healthy. With Clemson having a new quarterback, heralded freshman Willy Korn or untested junior Cullen Harper, the running game will be more of a factor. Davis could put up big numbers, bigger than he did last year and he could sneak into the Heisman talk.
