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The Heisman Watch

© Chuck Bednar

The Heisman Trophy is far and away the most prestigious individual honor college has to offer. Who should fans watch this year? A partial list of the top candidates follows.

Michael Bishop, QB, Kansas State - A highly-touted junior transfer from Blinn Junior College in Texas, Bishop took the Big 12 by storm. He was named second-team all conference, Big 12 Newcomer of the Year by the Associate Press, and National Newcomer of the Year by College Sports. Bishop was 14-for-23 for 317 yards and four touchdowns as he led the Wildcats to a 35-18 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl victory over Syracuse. He won Offensive MVP honor in that game and has just one loss in 36 career games. Bishop set team records for single season quarterback rushing yards (566), rushing touchdowns (9), and also set Wildcat and Big 12 records by rushing for 196 yards on 14 carries durng an October game against Missouri.

Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky - While his team limped to a 5-6 record last season, Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch led an aerial assault on the record books. The Hyden, Ky., native broke 17 school records and broke or tied 10 SEC records in 1997. Couch finished ninth in last season's Heisman balloting and was a finalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback award. The Wildcat quarteback led the nation in pass attempts (547), completions (363), yardage (3,884), and completion percentage (66.4), and was second in touchdown passes (37) and total offense (341.7 yards per game). He was named the 1997 Kentucky Sportsman of the Year and was voted second team All-SEC by the Associated Press.

Ron Dayne, RB, Wisconsin - Dayne, a 5'10, 258-pound running back from Pine Hill, N.J., battled injuries all of last season but still managed to gain 1,421 yards on the ground while scoring 15 times. As a freshman with the Badgers in 1996, Dayne rumbled through Big Ten defenses for 2,109 yards, a 6.5 average, and 21 touchdowns. If he can stay healthy and rebound this fall, the preseason All-American could be a legitimate Heisman threat.

Daunte Culpepper, QB, Central Florida - Culpepper is a true athletic phenom. He's strong armed, quick (4.6 in the 40) and has a 36-inch vertical leap. Culpepper completed nearly 63% of his passes last season for 2,867 yards and 25 touchdowns. He has thrown for 7,503 yards for his career and is currently on pace to break the school record of 9,000. The Golden Knights quarterback also ran for 438 yards and five scores on the ground.

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