Richard T. Estrada
Sports Writer
There is no better college football player this year than Colt Brennan, though the big-time, East Coast-biased writers often ignore his existence because he plays for Hawaii and takes snaps in a spread offense that is designed to tire the defense into submission.
There is no question he is the best quarterback -- NFL scouts have already tabbed him as a legitimate prospect, so don't give me no smack about his stats are the result of a gimmick offense -- after throwing for 58 TDs last season. He already holds 18 NCAA passing records.
He's a California boy, graduating from Mater Dei, and broke onto the national scene by throwing for 515 yards and seven TDS against New Mexico State in October of 2005. He led the nation in passing efficiency last year (182.8 rating), after completing 72 percent of his passes.
He could have declared for the NFL draft after last season, but he showed a commitment to his team and dedication to his craft by staying another year.
No doubt, if the Heisman is supposed to go to the nation's top college player, you can send Brennan his ticket to the December ceremony and tell him to bring an extra bag -- because he's taking the trophy home.
DeSean Jackson
Brian Clark
Weekend news editor
Only twice in the last 16 years has anyone playing outside the tackles won the Heisman Trophy.
To do it, you need to be electrifying, and have that certain "it" factor that plays well on ESPN.
Meet the man who will become the third such player since 1991 to do it: Cal receiver DeSean Jackson.
The 6-foot, 166-pound junior, who has the gift of grab and the legs to out-run opposing special- teamers, will join receiver Desmond Howard (1991) and cornerback Charles Woodson (1997) -- both Michigan marvels -- among Heisman winners who don't reside in the backfield.
Last year, Jackson turned heads in Strawberry Canyon with 1,060 receiving yards and nine TDs. He enters 2007 as the nation's No. 1-ranked receiver by The Sporting News and Rivals.com.
What puts him over the top, however, is his return skills, and we're not talkin' simply about Saturday's spectacular 77-yard return for a TD against Tennessee. Last year, he took four to the house, leading the nation, and was No. 1 with a phenomenal 18.2-yard punt return average.
When you're a receiver, you need more than just hands to grab a Heisman.
That's what gives Jackson the leg up.
Ian Johnson
Nick Lozito
Sports Copy Editor
Ian Johnson has it all.
The ESPY moment: a memorable scoring run on a trick play to beat Oklahoma in last season's Fiesta Bowl.
The cheerleader wife: He proposed to her on the field after the Sooners' shocker.
And the talent: Johnson rushed for more than 1,700 yards and 25 TDs as a junior.
Boise State proved it's a college football power with its BCS victory last season. This season, the Broncos will prove they have one of the nation's best talents.
Almost always, non-BCS conference players aren't noticed until midway through the season, too late to garner enough Heisman hype.
This won't be the case with Johnson, whose face is just as recognizable as major conference Heisman hopefuls such as Rutgers' Ray Rice or Louisville's Brian Brohm.
Not only that, but Johnson has proven himself on the biggest stage -- something most non-major conference running backs don't get the chance to do.
Still, Johnson's 2007 numbers will need to dwarf his Heisman opposition's. But with a season-ending date at Hawaii, expect the Broncos' bruiser to rack up at least three scores heading into bowl season.
Mike Hart
Eddie Brown
Sports copy editor
Some might think after Appalachian State's unprecedented upset of Michigan in the Big House on Saturday, the chances of a Wolverine hoisting the Heisman Trophy in December are about as good as Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton sharing the Nobel Peace Prize.
Then again, who thought a former Division I-AA school from Boone, N.C., could go into one of the toughest places in the country to play football (NFL included) and beat the winningest program in the sport?
Exactly. That's why Michigan tailback Mike Hart will be walking away from the Downtown Athletic Club with the most prestigious trophy in sports.
The Wolverines are too proud not to rebound and Hart will be the catalyst. A thigh injury kept him without a carry for almost two quarters Saturday and he still accumulated 188 yards and three scores.
His shifty style is similar to Barry Sanders. When he gets into the open field, it's over. And even though he's a smaller back, he seems to get stronger in the fourth quarter.
If Hart can pull this off, maybe Britney, Lindsay and Paris can save the world.
Do you believe in unlikelihoods?
