Johnny Maziel, QB Texas A&M - woodsmall12
2014 Stats: 168.2 RTG 248-391 3760 40 19, 104 699 6.7 10
2013 Stats: 166.2 RTG 250-368 3838 24 20, 148 1014 6.9 10
Johnny Football led the Aggies to their first National Title since 1939 last year. The Aggies did lose three games along the way and are unlikely to make it back to the title game with a repeat performance. A lot of that falls on the defense but Texas A&M needs their star QB to shine bright this season. Nothing would punctuate an impressive four-year career like a bookend Heisman win to sail off into the sunset with.
Steven Manfro, HB UCLA - majesty95
2014 Stats: 201 1426 7.1 14
2013 Stats: 183 1023 5.6 7
Manfro improved upon a very solid sophomore season by totaling 1426 yards on the ground last season. While only 5-9, Manfro can handle a heavy workload and grind out yards on the ground. His speed on the perimiter help set up a nice read option game with fellow Heisman contender Brett Hundley making the Bruins an early season favorite to compete for the National Title.
Derrick Green, HB Michigan
2014 Stats: 226 1353 6.0 17
2013 Stats: 137 761 5.6 9
At 6-0 224, Green is a pure bruiser who can punish opposing defense over the course of a game. However, he has elite speed as well which makes stacking the box against him dangerous. Green has a running style that many compare to Adrian Peterson and his ability to find the end zone will keep the Wolverines in the upper echelon of schools all year long.
Brandon Williams, HB Texas A&M - woodsmall12
2014 Stats: 238 1455 6.1 10
2013 Stats: 162 766 4.7 11
Much like Manfro, Williams combines for a dangerous read option duo with one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Williams has elite track speed and had an impressive seven carries of more than 20 yards a year ago. His is prone to injury as he was hurt mid-way through the 2013 season but, when healthy, is as dangerous of a runner as there is in college football.
Brett Hundley, QB UCLA - majesty95
2014 Stats: 171.4 295-415 3726 41 16, 108 440 4.1 6
2013 Stats: 155.6 240-366 3277 28 19, 106 695 6.6 10
You can make the argument that Hundley is every bit as good as Manziel. Their passing stats are comparable and while Hundley doesn't rely on the run quite as much as Johnny Football, his big, bruising 230 lb frame can rack up yards with the best of them. The one knock on Hundley to this point has been can he win? He answered some of those questions by bringing a PAC-12 title to Pasadena last year but then lost the Rose Bowl to Michigan. Hundley has to lead his team to, and win, the National Championship to truly be considered in the conversation with Manziel.