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Heisman Trophy 2010 Hopefuls

Frank Coyle has been a Heisman Trophy voter for the past 15 years

Photo - Mark Ingram - Alabama

The upcoming college season presents an interesting group of premier players rated as the top Heisman Trophy candidates. There is a former Heisman Trophy winner in Mark Ingram who is hoping to become only the 2nd player in college history to win two of the games’ most coveted awards. Only Archie Griffin of Ohio St. has won two Heisman Trophy Awards during the glory days of Woody Hayes power teams of the 1970s.
This year the top getter Ingram returns with emerging QBs Terrelle Pryor, Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett, Case Keenum and Kellen Moore, all primed for strong campaigns..Each are back at the helm with highly ranked teams that should make the both the Heisman Trophy award and highly competitive clubs for their conference titles. Runners Dion Lewis and Jacquizz Rodgers had huge 2009 performances that ranks them the highest rated running backs from the East and West regions. .

Heisman Trophy Preseason Candidates

QB Terrelle Pryor - 6’5” 230 lbs. - Ohio St,
Athletic junior QB looks to lead the Buckeyes spread offense to another Big Ten title. He is an incredible runner with tailback type talent including natural running skills and breakaway speed. He came on strong over his first two seasons gaining valuable experience vs top competition. He is exceptionally quick in the pocket and capable of making big plays with his feet and pressures a defense in a unique way. He has made further development in his throwing mechanics to be ready for the NFL game along with further work on reading defenses. He faces Miami in September which could propel him to the top of the Heisman race early. His fine athleticism makes him one of the premier athletes at the position and capable of carrying the Buckeyes to the national title.

RB Mark Ingram - 5’9" 220 lbs. - Alabama
Talented powerful running back was the premier runner in the nation last season when he won the Heisman and Player of the Year honors. He is primed for another big season and is set to be the workhorse runner in this run oriented offense. He has flashed great power and tackle breaking talent that has allowed him to be an unstoppable force in his short playing career. He has fine overall athleticism and shows good natural running especially between the tackles and in short yardage situations. He has shown he can be the man on a game to game basis vs top competition. He has a powerful compact frame with very good body lean and quickness to punish a defense and be his own blocker. He will couple with Trent Richardson to form one of the most potent tandem of runners in recent college history. He will miss the season opener with a minor knee injury.

QB Jake Locker - 6’4” 235 lbs - Washington
Athletic senior QB has had an incredible early career with the Huskies that includes leading the Pac 10 in total offense last season. He is a big tough passer who has a quick compact delivery with good touch and fine accuracy. He has progressed quickly in all aspects of play and has gained valuable experience after starting the past three seasons in this improving program. He is also an excellent runner with over 1500 yards scrambling, In addition to being a very good passer with the ability to throw very effectively on the move as well as move quickly within the pocket. He needs to refine his game in key areas like reading coverage and going through his progressions faster, though he is a highly developed passer with the talent and intangibles to carry a club to a higher level.

QB Ryan Mallett - 6’6” 245 lbs. - Arkansas
Strong armed junior passer has developed quickly in the big play pro style Razorback offense. He has a very good arm with a nice touch and the quick release to get the ball down the field. He has shown excellent arm strength with nice development especially in his overall accuracy. He looks to impress early with a September home game vs national champion Alabama that could propel him to the top of the rankings with a strong performance. Last season, he struggled vs the Crimson Tide and he has this rematch circled for a year to redeem himself. He shows the ability to make the difficult throw and enough quickness in the pocket to avoid a rush. His decision making needs some improvement to minimize his mistakes, many of which were due to attempting to do too much to carry his club.

QB Case Keenum - 6’2” 210 lbs. - Houston
Savvy senior QB is coming off back to back 5000 yard+ passing seasons, directing this incredibly potent offense. He leads a veteran group that includes three receivers who each totaled 1000 yards receiving. He directs this offense flawlessly, displaying a good arm with a very quick release and accuracy. He makes big plays consistently and puts up exceptional numbers weekly that will demand much publicity. He faces a critical late September schedule that puts him facing Pac 10 and SEC clubs that could command even further national publicity. He is coming off a strong performance as a junior and is capable of another huge effort after throwing for an amazing 44 TDs and 5671 yards.

QB Kellen Moore - 6’4” 215 lbs. - Boise St
Slick throwing lefty senior QB looks to continue his impressive play in this wide open passing attack. He hopes to make a strong impression in head to head battles with Virginia Tech and Oregon St. in September that could propel him near the top of this list. He came on strong over his sophomore and junior campaigns when he threw for 64 TD passes and only 13 interceptions, just three coming last fall. He has the talent to lead this explosive offense to national prominence again working with talented veteran weapons on offense.

RB Dion Lewis - 5’9” 190 lbs. - Pittsburgh
Fast compact playmaker looks to return to his ‘09 season form after an impressive 1800 yard rushing and 17 TD performance last fall. He is a strong compact runner who carried an incredible 325 times last fall and has the ability to hit the home run consistently. He has top speed and natural running skills that also allow him to make big plays despite lacking great size and power to run inside. He will be a marked man after last fall and has shown the talent and toughness to answer the call to every challenge over his short career.

RB Jacquizz Rodgers - 5’10” 185 lbs. - Oregon St.
Quick senior tailback has developed into one of the nation’s best backs. He is coming off an impressive ’09 performance when he totaled over 1400 yards and 78 receptions while scoring 22 total TDs. He has very good speed and quickness to get the corner consistently and break a play in the openfield. He slips through the hole quickly with the ability to change directions easily and maintain top speed. He is a good pass catcher who gets into his routes easily and can make things happen after the catch. He will probably get special attention this season and must prove he can be a consistent big game feature back with key early games vs Texas Christian and Boise St.

Frank Coyle’s Heisman vote 2009
1. QB Colt McCoy - Texas
2. RB Mark Ingram - Alabama
3. QB Tim Tebow - Florida

OSU Ranked #1 by Draft Insiders

Draft Insiders' Frank Coyle Blog begins with the Top 25 College teams for the 2010 season. Frank Coyle will write a regular Blog beginning with the college and NFL season through the NFL Draft 2011.

Photo – Mark Ingram - Alabama

This season Draft Insiders predicts Ohio St. will win the national title, not a popular choice by every major media outlet or publication. Nevertheless, I feel Ohio St. can get to the title game behind a top performance by talented junior QB Terrelle Pryor who is also be the leading Heisman Trophy candidate this fall. Pryor is our choice to win the Heisman Trophy with a strong 2010 performance

Alabama has been picked by virtually every other College poll off an undefeated 2009 season. They certainly have the talent to repeat and make a run at the national title again, though the tough SEC may be their stumbling block this fall. They have gone through the SEC undefeated the past two season and that is unlikely to three peat.

Notre Dame is not on Draft Insiders Top 25 rankings. The Irish begin the Brian Kelly era that should produce fine clubs in time, but probably not initially in South Bend. He begins with a new starting QB and a new 3-4 defense after several seasons struggling on that side of the ball.

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Draft Insiders - Top 25 Teams

Bryant Suspended Indefinitely for Lying to NCAA

Photo - Dez Bryant - Oklahoma St

One of the top prospects at the receiver position for the NFL 2010 Draft, Oklahoma St junior wideout Dez Bryant has been ruled ineligible for violating an NCAA bylaw. The powerful 6’2” 215 lb. receiver was ruled ineligible by the school after he reportedly lied to the NCAA officials about a visit and workout at the home of former NFL star defender Deion Sanders earlier this fall. Bryant is a blue chip prospect for the NFL and is coming off a huge sophomore performance last season when he had 87 receptions with 19 TDs for over 1,500 yards while averaging over 17 yards per catch. We ranked him in the Top 20 Prospects for the NFL Draft 2010 with Top 10 potential if he declares for the pro game this January.
The NCAA interviewed Bryant twice earlier this year about allegations at which time he denied that he had visited Sanders. That was proven false, but the fact that he lied to the NCAA is a violation that led to the suspension. Oklahoma St University has already begun the process of applying to the NCAA on his behalf for reinstatement. This incident does not involve anyone associated with the OSU football or athletic department staffs, any employee of the university, alumni, donors, or any third-party affiliated with OSU.
OSU is taking this step because Bryant failed to openly disclose to the NCAA the full details of his interaction with a former NFL player Sanders who is not affiliated with OSU. Bryant will definitely sit out Saturday at Texas A&M; though he was already listed as doubtful because of a hamstring problem.

I will have exclusive interviews with key people on this matter that will be part of the October Newsletter this month.

The University issued the following statement from Bryant: “I made a mistake by not being entirely truthful when meeting with the NCAA. I sincerely regret my mistake and apologize to my teammates, coaches, OSU fans and the NCAA.”
OSU coach Mike Gundy said: “We are certainly disappointed, but we are moving forward as we would with any challenge during the season.” Due to the ongoing investigation of this matter, OSU has no additional comment at this time.

NCAA Bylaw 10.1 -- Unethical Conduct
Unethical conduct by a prospective or enrolled student-athlete or a current or former institutional staff member (e.g., coach, professor, tutor, teaching assistant, student manager, student trainer) may include, but is not limited to, the following: (Revised: 1/10/90, 1/9/96, 2/22/01)
(d) Knowingly furnishing the NCAA or the individual's institution false or misleading information concerning the individual's involvement in or knowledge of matters relevant to a possible violation of an NCAA regulation;

Welcome to Frank Coyle's new Blog. He will post here regularly with College and NFL news, updates, and insights.

College Title Chase and Heisman Trophy Award
Frank Coyle has been a Heisman Trophy voter for the past 15 years

The upcoming 2010 college season will begin the Blog this month.

This presents an interesting group of premier players rated as the top Heisman Trophy candidates. For the first time, there are two former Heisman Trophy winners in Sam Bradford and Tim Tebow returning with each hoping to become only the second player in college history to win two of the games’ most coveted award. Only riunning back Archie Griffin of Ohio St. has won two Heisman Trophy Awards during the Woody Hayes power teams of the 1970s
This year the top three vote getters return from last year, all QBs, Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy are each back at the helm with highly ranked teams that should make the both the Heisman Trophy award and national championship race highly competitive battles with the winning player and team probably claiming both trophies. Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford and Texas’s Colt McCoy face a key matchup in early October in the Red River Rivalry that will have a strong bearing on both the Heisman Trophy and National title races. I voted for Colt McCoy last season and felt the late loss to Texas Tech probably cost him the coveted award. If a Texas defender could have tackled TT wideout Michael Crabtree at the yard line we might be discussing Colt McCoy pursuing a second Heisman Trophy award this fall. Such is college football.
Florida’s Tim Tebow will lead the Gators in an attempt to repeat as national champions and his second Heisman award. Only two teams since the 1980s have repeated as national champions and the Gators certainly have several critical components inline to claim another title. Tebow actually received the most first place votes in the Heisman Trophy last year, but came in 3rd in the overall voting. Florida plays in the tough SEC, but faces an average schedule this fall with no Alabama, Auburn or Ole Mss on the regular schedule. A key early SEC matchup with LSU in October could have a strong bearing on both the national title and Heisman races and eventual winners in those prestigious awards

Heisman Trophy Preseason Candidates

QB Sam Bradford - 6’3” 215 lbs - Oklahoma
Athletic fourth year junior QB has had an incredible early career with the Sooners that includes winning the Heisman award last season. He is a big tough passer who has a quick compact delivery with good touch and fine accuracy. He has progressed quickly in all aspects of play and has gained valuable experience after starting the past three seasons in this premier program. His chances of repeating as the Heisman winner may hinge on his performance in the Red River Rivalry vs Texas’s Colt McCoy in a head to head classic. He is a good runner and shows the ability to throw effectively on the move as well as move quickly within the pocket. He needs to refine his game in all areas related to the NFL and will be working with many new offensive starters this fall.

QB Tim Tebow - 6’4” 220 lbs. - Florida
Savvy senior passer has developed nicely in the efficient pro style Gator. He has a good arm with a nice touch and the quick release to get the ball to receivers. He has shown fine arm strength with nice development especially in his accuracy. He won the Heisman award as a sophomore in ’07 and actually earned the most first place Heisman ballots last year when he finished 3rd in the overall balloting. He looks to compete vs Sam Bradford and Colt McCoy for both the Heisman award and national title in what looks like the winner takes all competition. He shows the ability to make the difficult throw and the quickness in the pocket to avoid a rush. His decision making is his greatest asset which has minimized mistakes throughout his early career. He is a terrific runner in the mold of Steve Young with the ability to beat you with his arm or feet.

QB Colt McCoy - 6’3” 210 lbs. - Texas
Savvy senior QB has started the past three seasons and hopes to elevate his game over his critical final season. He has made some big plays and put up fine numbers in the Longhorns balanced attack. He faces a critical October schedule that puts him head to head with Sam Bradford and Zac Robinson that could be the deciding games for both the Heisman award and Big 12 title. He is coming off a strong performance as a junior and is capable of another huge effort and leading the Longhorns the national title. He needs to impress during key matchups to be in the hunt for the elusive Heisman Trophy.

QB Terrelle Pryor - 6’5” 230 lbs. - Ohio St.
Athletic sophomore QB looks to lead the Buckeyes spread offense again and are the leaders for another Big Ten title. He is an incredible runner with tailback type skills including natural running skills and breakaway speed. He came on strong over his true freshman season gaining valuable experience vs top competition. He is exceptionally quick in the pocket and capable of making big plays with his feet and pressures a defense in a unique way. He needs further development in his throwing mechanics to be ready for the NFL game along with further work on recognizing defenses. He faces both Southern Cal and Illinois in September which could propel him into the thick of the Heisman race early. His fine athleticism makes him one of the premier athletes at the position

QB Zac Robinson - 6’3” 215 lbs. - Oklahoma St
Slick throwing senior QB looks to continue his impressive display in this wide open passing attack. He hopes to make a strong impression in head to head battles with Texas and Oklahoma QBs McCoy and Bradford. He came on strong over his sophomore and junior campaigns that make him one of the nation’s most productive passers. He has the talent to lead this explosive offense to national prominence working with talented weapons wideout Dezmon Bryant and runner Kendall Hunter. He is quick in the pocket and capable of running or spraying the ball around to a number of receivers with a nice understanding of defenses after extensive valuable playing experience.

Frank Coyle’s Heisman vote 2008
1. QB Colt McCoy - Texas
2. QB Tim Tebow - Florida
3. QB Sam Bradford - Oklahoma

Heisman Trophy 2008 Official Finish
1. QB Sam Bradford - Oklahoma
2. QB Colt McCoy - Texas
3. * QB Tim Tebow - Florida
4. QB Graham Harrell - Texas Tech
5. WR Michael Crabtree - Texas Tech

* Received the most first place votes in the Heisman voting 2008