Quarterbacks have won the Heisman Trophy six of the past seven seasons and there's only one reason - Darren McFadden - to think 2007 won't make it seven of eight.
With June about to turn into July and the college football season looming ever closer, it is time to take a look at who we think are the early favorites to win the Heisman Trophy in 2007. And, we'll prelude our list with this bold prediction: 2007 will be the year of the quarterback.
Quarterbacks have dominated the top spot on the Heisman ballots in recent years, but that was not always the case. From 1971, when Auburn's Pat Sullivan won college football's top indivual prize, to 1984 when Boston College's Doug Flutie claimed the Heisman, no quarterback was honored with the award. In between, runningbacks claimed the title of Heisman winner every year but one.
Since 1984, however, quarterbacks have won the Heisman with increasing regularity. And, since Wisconsin runningback Ron Dayne won the trophy in 1999, quarterbacks have won every year, with the exception of USC tailback Reggie Bush in 2005, culminating with Ohio State's Troy Smith a year ago.
With all that said, here's a look at some names to watch in 2007, in no particular order.
• Tim Tebow (QB, Florida): Although he played second fiddle to Chris Leak in the Gators' championship run a year ago, Tebow received more media hype than Leak throughout his freshman campaign . . . a campaign that saw him come on in relief of Leak frequently. Since media attention is crucial to winning the Heisman - leading some critics to refer to it as the Hypesman Trophy - Tebow will have a big upper hand. Of course, it doesn't hurt that he's pretty darned good. Combing dazzling accuracy with bruising rushing ability, Tebow will play a big part in the Gators' plans to repeat this season, and a big role in the Heisman race.
• Chad Henne (QB, Michigan): A fourth-year starter at quarterback, Henne will play a big role if the Wolverines are to win the Big Ten, as expected. Henne has thrown for more than 20 touchdowns in each of his first three seasons, and that's unlikely to change in 2007. While Michigan's offense will feature a balanced attack with Henne and runningback Michael Hart, Henne should manage to put up numbers that are impressive enough to attract serious consideration.
• Eric Ainge (QB, Tennessee): Try this campaign slogan on for size: "The Heisman Trophy. It's time for a chAinge." After a sterling freshman season that ended in injury against Notre Dame, Ainge struggled his sophomore season. But after David Cutcliffe rejoined the Volunteer staff in 2006, Ainge emerged with a solid junior season. With a second off-season of coaching from Cutcliffe (who coached former Heisman candidates Peyton Manning, Eli Manning and Heath Shuler) under his belt, Ainge should be better than ever in 2007. If Tennessee can emerge from the conference with the most parity in college football (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee are all likely to have equal chances to win the SEC East) on top, Ainge will be in the thick of the Heisman balloting. If they don't, he won't.
• Brian Brohm (QB, Louisville): When Brohm turned down NFL riches for a senior season at Louisville, he solidified his status among college's best quarterbacks for 2007. With beautifully pure passes and his three top receivers returning from a year ago, Brohm can impress, especially if Louisville wins the Big East and makes a run into the top 10 late in the season.
• John David Booty (QB, Southern Cal): Move over Matt Leinart. You've got company in USC football lore. Can he become the third Trojan in four years to win the Heisman? Booty had a coming out party against Michigan in the Rose Bowl a year ago, passing for almost 400 yards and four touchdowns. This year, USC will be an odds-on favorite to win the national championship. Enough said.
• Ian Johnson (RB, Boise State): Johnson tallied more than 1,700 rushing yards and scored 25 touchdowns during Boise State's perfect season a year ago. The Broncos were consistently dismissed as over-achievers who maintained a perfect record because they didn't play anyone. Thus, they were left out of the BCS championship game and their players received little respect. Then BSU met Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. And dominated. Now, everything has changed. If Boise can repeat its run, they're going to get #1 votes, and Johnson's going to get Heisman votes.
• Darren McFadden (RB, Arkansas): There isn't a better runningback in football than Darren McFadden. As a junior, McFadden finished second in the Heisman balloting to Troy Smith. He chose to come back for his senior season. That alone ensures that he'll be the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman in September. But part of the reason for McFadden's notoriety a year ago was Arkansas' surprise run in the SEC's Western Division. Not only did the run likely save Houston Nutt's job, but it also hoisted McFadden into the limelight. Can the Hogs make another run in '07, or will they sink back into mediocrity? That alone could determine whether McFadden wins the trophy.
Other names to watch: Colt Brennan (QB, Hawaii), Michael Hart (RB, Michigan), Ray Rice (Rutgers), Early Doucet (WR, LSU).
