Some finalists for the Heisman Trophy are very easy to predict before the season starts but others are hard to call. A few candidates should have an easy path to being named a finalist, but a few others will vie for the last few spots. Brennan, Booty and Slaton should make it with ease but McFadden and Brohm will have tough competition. Here is a look at some potential finalists:
Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Darren McFadden has the skills and the name recognition to make it to New York City in January. His electrifying carries should be on ESPN weekly and his numbers should be close to the top for running backs this season.
McFadden could win if he has a year that tops last year’s campaign but the drop-off in talent in Arkansas could hurt him since they won’t be in the national spotlight again.
2006 Stats: 1,647 Yards, 117.6 yards per game, 14 rushing touchdowns, 149 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdown
Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
Colt Brennan is the semi-annual small-school invite to NYC and will put up some mighty impressive numbers this season with 6 and 7 touchdown games. When all is said and done Brennan will be in the record books an astonishing amount of times this season.
Brennan needs to improve on his record-setting 2006 season and that is easier said than done. If he puts up better numbers he could win, if not he won’t.
2006 Stats: 72.6%, 5,549 Yards, 58 TD, 12 Interceptions, 336 Yards Rushing, 5 rushing touchdowns
John David Booty, QB, Southern California
John David Booty is the most recognizable name on the best team in college football. His numbers won’t be Brennan-like, but if USC wins the national championship and goes undefeated he might win the award by default.
If USC does not win the national championship Booty will most likely not win the award. He is more tied to USC’s numbers than his own.
2006 Stats: 61.7 %, 3,347 Yards, 29 Touchdowns, 9 Interceptions
Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia
Steve Slaton may be the early favorite to win the award because of the system that he plays in. Slaton should easily put up big numbers every week (200 yards and two touchdowns) because of the spread option offense that West Virginia employs.
If West Virginia stays in the national championship picture all year Slaton will be in New York City and he may even win the award.
2006 Stats: 1,744 rushing yards, 134.2 yards/game, 16 touchdowns, 360 receiving yards, 2 receiving touchdowns
Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
Picking the fifth finalist for the Heisman Trophy this season is a little tough. There is definitely a depth of talent and Ray Rice, Pat White, Colt McCoy or Mike Hart could easily find himself in New York.
With that said Brian Brohm will definitely be one of the best quarterbacks this season and has a chance to make the finalist list. If he can put up comparable numbers to last year and keep Louisville in the title hunt he has a chance to be a finalist, though he will not win the Heisman.
Brohm’s numbers should suffer this year without Bobby Petrino but if Louisville is successful this season, with at least an Orange Bowl romp, than he could make the finals. Either way he will be the number one pick in the 2008 NFL draft.
2006 Stats: 63.6%, 3049 Yards, 16 touchdowns, 5 interceptions
