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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

Insiders’ All-American Teams
Frank Coyle – Head Scout

Photo – QB Locker - Washington

All-American First Team
Pos/ Player/ Class/ School
Offense
QB Jake Locker - Sr - Washington
RB Mark Ingram - Jr - Alabama
RB Dion Lewis - Soph - Pittsburgh
WR A.J. Green - Jr - Georgia
WR Julio Jones - Jr. - Alabama
TE Lance Kendricks - Sr. - Wisconsin
OT Matt Reynolds - Jr. - BYU
OT Gabe Carimi - Sr - Wisconsin
OC Jake Fitzpatrick - Sr. - Texas Christian
OG Rodney Hudson - Sr. - Florida St
OG Mike Pouncey - Sr. - Florida

Defense
DE Greg Romeus - Sr. - Pittsburgh
DE Adrian Clayborn - Sr. - Iowa
DT Jared Crick - Jr. - Nebraska
DT Marcell Dareus - Jr. - Alabama
LB Bruce Carter - Sr. - North Carolina
LB Von Miller - Sr. - Texas A&M
LB Greg Jones - Sr - Michigan St
CB Prince Amukamara - Sr. - Nebraska
CB Patrick Peterson - Jr. - LSU
S Rahim Moore - Jr - UCLA
S DeAndre McDaniel - Sr. - Clemson

Special Teams
PK Kai Forbath - Sr. - UCLA
KR Chris Owusu - Jr - Stanford
P Drew Butler - Jr. - Georgia
PR Greg Reid - Soph - Florida St

For 2nd Team All-American Team Click on Read

Aggies' Von Miller Tops Lombardi List

Photo - LB Von Miller - Texas A&M

Texas A&M’s Von Miller was named to the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award Official Watch List, as announced by the Rotary Lombardi Committee. Miller is coming off an outstanding junior season when he led the nation with 17 sacks and 21.5 tackles for losses. For his three year career, he has totaled 23 sacks and 33 TFLs, ranking #1 in both those vital categories among active defenders.

Eligibility for the Rotary Lombardi Award is limited to down linemen, end-to-end, either on offense or defense, who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage.

The candidates earned a place on the official watch list by earning All-American honors, by being named to their respective all-conference first teams as selected by the conference’s head coaches or by nomination sent to and reviewed by the nominations committee.

While the Watch List highlights those players who have already received national recognition, any Division 1 player who meets the requirements is eligible for consideration from the Rotary Lombardi Selection
Committee. This committee is comprised of more than 500 members, including all past winners and finalists, all FBS head coaches and a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters.

The 41st Rotary Lombardi Award will be held December 7- 8, 2010, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas.

2010 Rotary Lombardi Award Official Watch List
Sam Acho - DE - Texas
Pierre Allen - DE - Nebraska
Marvin Austin - DT - UNC
Akeem Ayers - LB - UCLA
Allen Bailey - DT/DE - Miami
Jeff Battipaglia - OT - Navy
Jeremy Beal - DE - Oklahoma
Chase Beeler - C - Stanford
Nick Bellore - LB - Central Michigan
Broderick Binns - DE - Iowa
Clint Boling - OT - Georgia
Justin Boren - G - Ohio State
Chris Borland - LB - Wisconsin
Da’Quan Bowers - DE - Clemson
Vontaze Burfict - LB - Arizona State
Marcus Cannon - OT - TCU
Tank Carder - LB - TCU
Gabe Carimi - OT - Wisconsin
James Carpenter - OT - Alabama
Bruce Carter - LB - UNC
Jurrell Casey - DT - USC
Anthony Castonzo - OT - Boston College
Ugo Chinasa - DE - Oklahoma State
Adrian Clayborn - DE - Iowa
Jared Crick - DT - Nebraska
Wayne Daniels - DE - TCU
Marcell Dareus - DT - Alabama
Grant Fleming - LB - LA-Lafayette
Chris Galippo - LB - USC
Cameron Heyward - DT/DE - Ohio State
Mark Herzlich - LB - Boston College
Dont’a Hightower - LB - Alabama
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For Complete Lombardi List Click on Read

Gators' Mike Pouncey Named to Rimington Trophy Watch List

Photo – Mike Pouncey - Florida

Florida senior center Mike Pouncey was named to the 2010 Rimington Trophy Watch List. The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the Most Outstanding Center in NCAA Division I-A College Football.

Pouncey has appeared in 39 games with 32 starts and started all 14 games during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, including the Gators’ 2010 Sugar Bowl victory, the 2008 SEC Championship Game victory and the 2008 FedEx BCS National Championship Game victory. Last season, Pouncey was named a 2009 AP Second-Team All-American, as well as an AP First-Team All-SEC selection.

In 2009, Mike’s brother, Maurkice, became the first Gator to win the award after tallying 40 career starts over his three seasons, while also garnering recognition as a first-team All-American by Walter Camp, the FWAA, Sporting News and CBSSports.com. Maurkice was the 18th overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Mike wins the award, it would be the first time two brothers won the same award.

The award is named in honor of Dave Rimington, a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy's only double winner as the nation's finest college interior lineman.

In all, there are 37 players on the Watch List. The ACC checks in with the most candidates, with six players being named. The SEC, Big-12 and PAC-10 are represented by five players each on the Watch List. While more than a dozen All-America football teams are selected annually, the Rimington Trophy committee uses these four prestigious teams to determine a winner:

* American Football Coaches Association
* Walter Camp Foundation
* Sporting News
* Football Writers Association of America

Frank Coyle is a longtime Member of the FWAA and voter in College team and player awards - Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Thorpe, etc. He is a voter for weekly Team and Player Awards.The center with the most first-team votes will be determined the winner. If there is a tie with first-team votes, then the center with most second-team votes will win. If there is still a tie, the winner will be determined by the Rimington Trophy committee. The winner will be honored at the Rimington Trophy Presentation banquet at the Rococo Theater in Lincoln, Nebraska on January 15, 2011.

2010 Rimington Trophy Watch List
Chris Anzevino - Kent State - 6'2" 305 - Junior
Tim Barnes - Missouri - 6'4" 310 - Senior
Ryan Bartholemew - Syracuse - 6'2" 310 - RS Senior
Colin Baxter - Arizona - 6'4" 295 - Senior
Sean Bedford - Georgia Tech - 6'1" 274 - Senior
Chase Beeler - Stanford - 6'3" 276 - Senior
Mario Benavides - Louisville - 6'4" 312 - Sophomore
Joe Bernardi - Fresno State - 6'2" 285 - Senior
Ben Bojicic - Bowling Green - 6'4" 294 - Sophomore
Mike Brewster - Ohio State - 6'5" 293 - Junior
J.C. Brignone - Mississippi State - 6'1" 300 - Senior
Ben Burkett - Northwestern - 6'4" 285 - Junior
Mike Caputo - Nebraska - 6'1" 275 - Junior
Dalton Freeman - Clemson - 6'5" 280 - Sophomore
Jordan Holmes - Oregon - 6'5" 294 - Senior
Trask Iosefa - San Diego State - 6'0" 300 - Senior
Ben Jones - Georgia - 6'3" 300 - Junior
Jake Kirkpatrick - Texas Christian - 6'3" 305 - Senior
Peter Konz - Wisconsin - 6'5" 313 - Sophomore
Alex Linnenkoh - Oregon State - 6'2" 297 - Senior
Kai Maiava - UCLA - 6'1" 300 - Junior
Ryan McMahon - Florida State - 6'3" 282 - Junior
Colin Miller - Central Michigan - 6'3" 292 - Senior
David Molk - Michigan - 6'2" 270 - Senior
Bryan Morgan - Duke - 6'3" 255 - Senior
Russell Nenon - Wake Forest - 6'4" 295 - RS Junior
Kristofer O'Dowd - USC - 6'5" 300 - Senior
Brad Paul - Memphis - 6'5" 290 - Senior
Moe Petrus - Connecticut - 6'2" 292 - RS Junior
Mike Pouncey - Florida - 6'5" 312 - Senior
Ryan Pugh - Auburn - 6'4" 297 - Senior
Lon Roberts - Louisiana Tech - 6'3" 285 - RS Junior
Brad Serini - Florida International - 6'3" 300 - Senior
Keenan Stevens - Colorado - 6'2" 290 - Senior
William Vlachos - Alabama - 6'1" 296 - Junior
Beau Warren - Virginia Tech - 6'3" 292 - RS Senior
Wade Weibert - Kansas State - 6'4" 303 - Senior

Clay Named Doak Walker Award Candidate

Photo – RB John Clay - Wisconsin

Wisconsin junior running back John Clay has been named one of 49 candidates for the Doak Walker Award, presented annually to the nation’s top college running back, the SMU Athletic Forum announced Wednesday.

Clay is the reigning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and led the Big Ten and ranked eighth in the country with 1,517 rushing yards in 2009. His 18 rushing TDs also led the Big Ten and tied for seventh in the nation. It has been a busy offseason for Clay who has also been named to the preseason Watch Lists for the Walter Camp Award and Maxwell Awards. He was also selected as a Playboy All-American.

This is the second straight season Clay has been named to the Doak Walker Award Watch List. Ron Dayne is the only Wisconsin player to win the Doak Walker Award, bringing home the trophy in 1999. Dayne was also a finalist for the award in 1998 while Anthony Davis (2001), Brian Calhoun (2005) and P.J. Hill (2006) have all been semifinalists.

In addition to Clay, the field of candidates is highlighted by the nation’s leading returning rusher, Dion Lewis from Pittsburgh; 2009 Doak Walker Award finalist and Heisman Trophy recipient, Mark Ingram from Alabama; and Ryan Williams from Virginia Tech, who ranked third nationally and led the ACC in rushing last season.

The recipient of the 2010 Doak Walker Award will be announced live on ESPN on The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards on Thursday, Dec.9. The Doak Walker Award Presentation Banquet will be held at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, in Feb. 2011.

Complete List of Doak Walker Candidates

Anthony Allen (Sr.), Georgia Tech
Armando Allen (Sr.), Notre Dame
Victor Anderson (Jr.), Louisville
Jeremy Avery (Sr.), Boise State
Baron Batch (Sr.), Texas Tech
Donald Buckram (Sr.), UTEP
John Clay (Jr.), Wisconsin
Lennon Creer (Jr.), Louisiana Tech
Jeff Demps (Jr.), Florida
Noel Devine (Sr.), West Virginia
Lance Dunbar (Jr.), North Texas
Darren Evans (Jr.), Virginia Tech
Mario Fannin (Sr.), Auburn
Jay Finley (Sr.), Baylor
Frank Goodin (Sr.), Louisiana Monroe
Cyrus Gray (Jr.), Texas A&M
Montel Harris (Jr.), Boston College
Dan Herron (Jr.), Ohio State
Kendall Hunter (Sr.), Oklahoma State
Mark Ingram (Jr.), Alabama
Eugene Jarvis (Sr.), Kent State
Dennis Johnson (Jr.), Arkansas
Mikel Leshoure (Jr.), Illinois
Dion Lewis (So.), Pittsburgh
MiQuale Lewis (Sr.), Ball State
Derrick Locke (Sr.), Kentucky
Christine Michael (So.), Texas A&M
Alfred Morris (Jr.), Florida Atlantic
Richard Murphy (Sr.), LSU
Vince Murray (Sr.), Navy
DeMarco Murray (Sr.), Oklahoma
Bernard Pierce (So.), Temple
Bilal Powell (Sr.), Louisville
Alexander Robinson (Sr.), Iowa State
Jacquizz Rodgers (Jr.), Oregon State
Evan Royster (Sr.), Penn State
Brandon Saine (Sr.), Ohio State
Da’Rel Scott (Sr.), Maryland
Chad Spann (Sr.), Northern Illinois
Rodney Stewart (Jr.), Colorado
Phillip Tanner (Sr.), Middle Tennessee
Vai Taua (Sr.), Nevada
Daniel Thomas (Sr.), Kansas State
Jordan Todman (Jr.), Connecticut
Matthew Tucker (So.), TCU
Derrick Washington (Sr.), Missouri
Ed Wesley (So.), TCU
Eddie Wide (Sr.), Utah
Ryan Williams (So.), Virginia Tech

Villanova Defends FCS National Title

Photo – OT Ben Ijalana - Villanova

Defending national champion Villanova (14-1 in 2009) garnered 22 of the 28 first-place votes to hold the top spot. Montana (14-1), last year's national runner-up, sits second after earning two first-place votes.

Appalachian State (11-3) picked up four first-place votes and comes in at number three in the preseason rankings. William & Mary (11-3) and Southern Illinois (11-2) round out the top-five.

Richmond (11-2), Elon (9-3) sits sixth, just 10 points ahead of the Phoenix. Stephen F. Austin (10-3), New Hampshire (10-3) and South Dakota State (8-4) complete the top-10.

2010 FCS Coaches Preseason Poll (Aug. 23, 2010)
Team (No. 1 Votes / 2009 Record / Points / 2009 Final Ranking

1. Villanova (22) - 14-1 - 667 - 1
2. Montana (2) - 14-1 - 632 - 2
3. Appalachian State (4) - 11-3 - 622 - T3
4. William & Mary - 11-3 - 587 - T3
5. Southern Illinois - 11-2 - 551 - 6***
6. Richmond - 11-2 - 484 - 5
7. Elon - 9-3 - 474 - 10
8. Stephen F. Austin - 10-3 - 413 - 9
9. New Hampshire - 10-3 - 409 - 7
10. South Dakota State - 8-4 - 403 - 11***
11. McNeese State - 9-3 - 376 - 12
12. South Carolina State - 10-2 - 341 - 8
13. UNI - 7-4 - 333 - 18*
14. Eastern Washington - 8-4 - 327 - 13
15. James Madison - 6-5 - 290 - NR
16. Eastern Illinois - 8-4 - 236 - 15
17. Jacksonville State - 8-3 - 208 - 16
18. Weber State - 7-5 - 186 - 17
19. Delaware - 6-5 - 185 - NR
20. Liberty - 8-3 - 171 - 21
21. Prairie View A&M - 9-1 - 135 - 19
22. Colgate - 9-2 - 98 - 20
23. Northern Arizona - 5-6 - 87 - NR
24. Montana State - 7-4 - 85 - NR
T25. Cal-Poly - 4-7 - 66 - NR
T25. Holy Cross - 9-3 - 66 - 14

Other teams receiving votes (points in parentheses): /Penn (60), *Illinois State (54)*, Texas State (53), Florida A&M (44), Furman (36), Eastern Kentucky (35), Wofford (35), UC Davis (32), Massachusetts (24), Georgia Southern (23), Alabama A&M (22), Jackson State (19), Maine (19), Alcorn State (17), Southeastern Louisiana (16), Arkansas-Pine Bluff (16), Southern (15), Central Arkansas (14), Morgan State (14), Hampton (12), Bethune-Cookman (11), Harvard (10), *Missouri State (10)*, Nicholls State (10), Sam Houston State (9), Grambling (8), Alabama State (6), Lehigh (8), *Youngstown State (6)*, Texas Southern (5), Albany (4), Lafayette (4), Butler (3), Mississippi Valley State (3), Southern Utah (3), Central Connecticut State (2), Stony Brook (2), Chattanooga (1), Gardner-Webb (1)