interesting old article on Cobbs and Thomas

eulesseagle · June 17, 2005

Heisman Watch: Top 100 candidates

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Richard Cirminiello / CollegeFootballNews.com

Posted: 20 days ago

A full century of Heisman candidates for the upcoming 2005 season might look like a cop out to the cynic. However, in this era of out-of-the-blue finalists, such as Alex Smith, Adrian Peterson, Brad Banks and Carson Palmer, you almost have to go that deep in order to include all viable contenders.

That said, if USC can navigate unscathed through a manageable schedule, is there a player on the planet that can keep Matt Leinart from joining Archie Griffin as the only two-time Heisman winners in collegiate history? Here we go with 81 through 100.

Heisman candidates: 1-20 | 21-40 | 41-60 | 61-80 | 81-100

81. QB Joel Klatt, Colorado — Klatt had a rocky junior year, but it wasn't all his fault; his receivers dropped at least two or three balls every game. The quarterback should rebound as part of a Buff team that'll compete for Big XII North supremacy.

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82. WR Santonio Holmes, Ohio State — Holmes' continued development as a big-play receiver will likely get overshadowed in 2005 by the presence of budding superstar, Ted Ginn Jr.

83. QB John Beck, Jason Beck or Matt Berry, BYU — Ty Detmer's school records are safe, however, new offensive coordinator Robert Anae plans to open up the passing game, and Berry or one of the Becks will benefit. John Beck started 10 games last year, and earned second-team All-Mountain West honors.

84. RB DonTrell Moore, New Mexico — Moore is one of the premier backs in the country, but a torn ACL in last year's Emerald Bowl will keep him sidelined through possibly this summer.

85. WR Steve Smith, USC — Smith's three-touchdown explosion on the Oklahoma secondary in last year's Orange Bowl may have been a sneak preview of things to come this fall.

86. QB Josh Betts, Miami (OH) — Betts failed to make Miami fans forget Ben Roethlisberger last year, but as the season wore on, he did build a nice foundation for his senior year. The healthy return of top receiver Martin Nance gives Betts a chance to challenge for all-conference honors.

87. RB Jerious Norwood, Mississippi State — Head coach Sylvester Croom knows running backs, and he's got a good one in Norwood, an All-SEC performer, who'll be the focal point of the Bulldog offense.

88. QB Brett Basanez, Northwestern — Basanez is coming off a solid junior year, and is poised to spend the 2005 season stamping himself as the most prolific passer in school history.

89. QB Shaun Carney, Air Force — Carney, who led the Falcons in passing and rushing as a freshman, enters 2005 as the undisputed leader under center. With a year behind him and a veteran line in front of him, he figures to make marked strides as the academy's offensive leader.

90. WR Jarrett Hicks, Texas Tech — Whichever quarterback wins the starting job in Lubbock, he'll spend much of the upcoming season playing catch with Hicks, a sure-handed, 6-foot-4 receiver, who had 76 catches and 13 touchdowns in 2004.

91. RB Jamario Thomas or Patrick Cobbs, North Texas — In Thomas and Cobbs, the Mean Green boast the country's leading rusher in each of the last two years. As long as both are healthy, any remote run at Heisman recognition will be eliminated.

92. QB Brian Johnson, Utah — Check back in two years, and Johnson, a poor man's Chris Leak, could be hobnobbing among the Top 25. Replacing Alex Smith and losing Urban Meyer, however, makes 2005 a difficult transition year.

93. WR Andre Caldwell or Dallas Baker, Florida — Urban Meyer's system has a penchant for turning good receivers into stars, and Caldwell has the speed and athleticism to turn plenty of those patented shovel passes into six points. Baker was a star this spring.

94. RB Cornell Brockington, UConn — Brockington parlayed his Big East-leading 1,218 yards rushing into all-conference honors last year, but an already crowded backfield welcomes back Terry Caulley, which could mean fewer touches in 2005.

95. QB Jordan Palmer, UTEP — Palmer certainly needs to address the bad reads that led to 18 interceptions in 2004, however, another season in Mike Price's system could help him improve on the 26 touchdown passes he tossed.

96. WR Jason Avant, Michigan — The graduation of Braylon Edwards paves the way for Avant to become Chad Henne's go-to receiver on a Wolverine offense that'll have no problem scoring in 2005.

97. ATH Derrick Wiliams, Penn State — Forget the Heisman. If the Lions' super recruit can breathe a little life into a deceased offense, he deserves to be canonized.

98. RB Chris Barclay, Wake Forest — Wake's steady Barclay has quietly rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons. The return of four starting offensive linemen ensures a third straight for the senior.

99. RB Carlton Jones, Army — Jones has led the Cadets in rushing in each of the last three seasons, but it was last year's 1,269-yard, 17-touchdown outburst, which catapulted the senior from the ranks of the unknown.

100. WR Ashlan Davis, Tulsa — If opposing kickers don't pitch around Davis as if he's Barry Bonds, the All-American return man might smash his own record of five returns for touchdowns in a single season.

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