Cut to the Chase: The True Heisman Contenders

While he looked like his old self in a 56-41 win over North Carolina State, it did nothing to help Jameis Winston in his chances of winning another Heisman Trophy. Those plans left the building a long time ago with a summer of madness and a fall of broken dreams. Winston is a walking contradiction of a player with too much talent for his own good and a mouth and immaturity that continually gets him in trouble.

Johnny Manziel was no saint, but his actions were not as loud as Winston on and off a playing field.

Now, it’s time to get down to business. With five weeks gone in the college football season, boys and men are separated to see who really has a REAL shot at winning the most prestigious award in college sports. It is not as cut and dry as you think and it is not as easy to select a quarterback or tailback at this point. There is some pretty good talent out there.

Here are the seven REAL candidate who deserve consideration.

7. Brett Hundley, Quarterback, UCLA

Hundley reminds me a lot of Donovan McNabb with more athleticism. He has a strong arm, makes all the throws you want and when he needs to move out of the pocket, he uses his feet very well. Injuries have been a concern early this year. Also, playing in the Pac 12 hurts him because Mariota is ahead of him. Sean Mannion may be ahead of him as well, but Hundley has brought swagger back to UCLA.

6. Leonard Williams, Defensive End, USC

This is not one of those obligatory picks where you must include a defensive player. Williams is every bit as good as Steve Emtman was, without the injuries. Williams figures to be a top five pick in the 2015 Draft, first overall if Jacksonville or Oakland have the first choice. Williams is fast, aggressive and a tackling machine. He may be able to play outside in 3-4 units.

5. Trevor Knight, Quarterback, Oklahoma

He is how this works. Knight and Geno Torretta fit this profile. While Knight is a great athlete and can run and throw, if Oklahoma is in a position to win the national title, then Knight – like Torretta so many years ago at Miami, wins the title by default. The stats may not be the best in the country, but the best player on the best team in the country wins the hardware.

4. Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin

It is good to see great running backs this season in college football. Gordon is one of the best and each week, he goes out and proves it time and time again how lucky Wisconsin is to have home toting the football around. If not for Todd Gurley, Gordon would be the highest ranked runner on draft boards. He still may be after it is all done.

3. Todd Gurley, Running Back, Georgia

He runs for 198 yards against South Carolina and then follows it up against Tennessee with 208 yards. That is SEC competition to you and me. Gurley is by far the best in the game right now, and with Georgia’s schedule, there is no reason to believe he won’t be racking up huge numbers the remainder of the season.

2. Amari Cooper, Wide Receiver, Alabama

THE BEST PLAYER IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.  Yes, Alabama has some great weapons on the team and it has a huge advantage in the running game. But if the Crimson Tide wants to win another national title, get the ball to Cooper early and often. He is every bit as good, possibly better, than Julio Jones and has the speed to break defensive backs’ ankles. Receivers don’t usually get a pulse in this race. Cooper deserves complete consideration.

1. Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Oregon

The kid is the antithesis of Winston. While he is not as gifted as the FSU wonder, Mariota is basically doing the same things he did last year at this point. He is more poised in the pocket this season and not as banged up as he was in 2013. Because it is customary to give the award to a quarterback, I would say he is the front runner. But he may not be the best player in the game.