Denard Robinson?...Old news—next!
Kellen Moore?...Boring.
Mark Ingram?...Meh.
All of the above either have been, are, or will be placed in a discussion that suggests possible Heisman Trophy candidacy. However, there is not enough chatter about the following four guys, in particular, who have been lighting the scoreboard up for their respective teams as well.
For them, this site has appointed itself chair of the Heisman Oversight Committee. The number one goal of which is to bring these players to your attention since no one else seems willing or able to do so:
1. Robert Griffin III, QB—Baylor Bears
It's amazing how much love you get when you play in the SEC or the Big Ten. Neither Cam Newton nor Denard Robinson have lacked in the attention department this season.
Robinson, despite having played bits and pieces of the last several games (losing them all) is still mentioned in the same breath as Newton based on what he did in the first five games of the year— when he seemed unstoppable.
Meanwhile, Robert Griffin has been doing a little playmaking of his own for the Baylor Bears.
He might not have the staggering rushing totals of either Newton or Robinson, but he's been an efficient passer, used his legs when he needed to, and has the Bears (7-2) bowl eligible for the first time in 15 years. Oh, and did we mention that his team is currently tied for first place in the Big 12 South?
Baylor is in position to win the Big 12 South. If that's not worthy of a little more love, then what is?
2010 season stats: 196/294 for 2,592 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. 92 carries for 401 yards and 7 touchdowns.
2. Bilal Powell, RB—Louisville Cardinals
LaMichael James is all you hear about these days. He's the man that the Heisman committee drools over as he gets closer to eclipsing the 1,600 yard mark on the season. That said, Bilal Powell has come on mighty strong the last four weeks, breaking the 200-yard rushing mark in consecutive weeks as well as making mince meat of a tough Connecticut run defense (rushing for 105).
He's only hit paydirt nine times this season, but that's more than Mark Ingram or Roy Helu Jr. Add to that, he's averaging nearly 20.0 yards per carry—for the year.
2010 season stats: 153 carries, 1,067 yards, and 9 touchdowns.
3. Da'Quan Bowers, DE—Clemson Tigers
Ryan Kerrigan of Purdue and Nick Fairley are both monsters—no question. But, how about a little more props going the way of the equally beastly Da'Quan Bowers? On top of his 17.5 tackles for loss—through just eight games—he's managed to record 10 sacks and 42 tackles.
His most impressive game this season came against Maryland a couple weeks ago where he tallied four tackles for loss and three sacks. The kid is sick—don't sleep on him.
2010 season stats: 42 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles, and 8 hurries
4. Dan Persa, QB—Northwestern
If it's impressive to see the efficiency ratings of both Kellen Moore (188.30) and Ricky Stanzi (180.28), then it's downright awe-inspiring to look at Dan Persa's numbers as well.
He not only has a higher completion percentage (74.4) on more attempts (244) than the aforementioned quarterbacks, but he's also doing it with his legs as much as with his arms—strapping the Wildcats on his back and nearly willing them to victory.
Perhaps his performance gets lost in the, somewhat, weaker schedule they've played this year, but, that's never hurt Boise's Kellen Moore now—has it?
2010 season stats: 174/234 for 2,062 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. 121 carries, 360 yards, and 6 touchdowns.
What say you? Have a few nominees of your own to offer?
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