Heisman Trophy Candidates 2012

Heisman Trophy candidates 2012 are the top quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers playing in NCAA college football who are projected to contend for the 2012 Heisman Trophy. The annual award, given out each December following the college football regular season, honors the most outstanding college football player in the country.

It should be no surprise that USC quarterback Matt Barkley, a favorite for the 2011 Heisman Trophy, won by quarterback Robert Griffin III of Baylor, is leading the pack in the 2012 Heisman race. In 2011 Barkley completed nearly 70% of his passes for an impressive 3,528 yards and 40 touchdowns. With the USC Trojans back in the spotlight, Barkley is an early favorite to dominate the 2012 Heisman voting.

But there are also many other stellar 2012 college football quarterbacks ready to fight for the hardware. Geno Smith of the West Virginia Mountaineers, Taylor Martinez of the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Tyler Wilson of the Arkansas Razorbacks and even Denard Robinson of the Michigan Wolverines are just a few of the other passers who, depending on their 2012 performances, will get a good look.

The Heisman Trophy however is not simply a quarterback award with many other offensive players firmly in the contest. Wisconsin running back Montee Ball, South Carolina running back Marcus Lattimore, USC wide receiver Marqise Lee and Michigan State running back Le'Veon Bell are all in the mix.

Only one of these talented college football stars will go down in history as a Heisman Trophy winner but until then, we can speculate and predict how the voters will feel come December. Have a Heisman favorite that is not listed? Want to re-rank this list your way or vote for a player you see as the best? Do all of that and more below on the list of Heisman Trophy candidates 2012.