Last year's Heisman winner, Mark Ingram, gives his acceptance speech.

Here at NextGen Sports, our College Football Countdown series has chronicled some of the nation’s most talented incoming freshman and spotlighted several of the best BCS dark horse teams (Oklahoma, LSU, North Carolina, and Pittsburgh). Today we have another entry in the series: our Heisman selections for the 2010 season, along with a surprise player who we think could closely contend for one as well. With typical Heisman favorites Tim Tebow, Colt McCoy, and Sam Bradford now in the NFL, this could be as wide open a race as we’ve seen in college football for the past decade. Last year Alabama tailback Mark Ingram won the award, which broke the streak of quarterback recipients. This season, though, there are more quarterbacks capable of winning the award than ever, along with a very strong group of running backs and receivers. Without further ado, here are the picks:

John’s Heisman Winner: Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

Kellen Moore throws downfield.

It’s a shame that there are still football fans in the nation who haven’t heard of Kellen Moore. The 6′ 190 pound junior has given Boise State fans a lot to cheer about in his first two years on campus. As a redshirt freshman, he lead the Broncos to an undefeated regular season and WAC championship while being named to the freshman All-America team. His sophomore campaign, Moore was even better. He set school records throwing for 3,356 yards, 39 scores, and only three interceptions. The signal caller once again lead his team to an undefeated regular season, except this time they were able to get a bowl victory: a 17-10 win over TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

This season, Moore might be surrounded with the most talented Boise State squad yet. He has possibly the best receiver duo in the nation, with All-Conference selections Austin Pettis and Titus Young. Running backs Doug Martin and Jeremy Avery give the Broncos a scary 1-2 punch in the backfield, and Moore even more weapons to work with on offense. With Boise State looking like a National Championship contender, the Washington-born quarterback has as good a chance as any to win the Heisman. His ridiculous stats from last year should only improve, but wins for the Broncos over Virginia Tech and Oregon State are essential for his candidacy to remain strong. Even if the Broncos are snubbed from the championship picture again, expect for Moore to be in New York in December as a Heisman finalist.

John’s Surprise Heisman Finalist: John Brantley, QB, Florida

When somebody thinks of the quarterback position for Florida, it’s only natural for Tim Tebow to be the first thought to pop into mind. It probably won’t be like that for much longer. Junior signal caller John Brantley has all the tools (and the team around him) to be a serious contender for the Heisman trophy, even though most wouldn’t even say he’s the best quarterback in his conference. Brantley is a pro-style passer. who unlike Tebow, will be better known for his passing than anything else. The 6′3″ 220 pounder has the ideal size for a pro quarterback, and could absolutely pass for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns this season with a retooled Florida offense. Spending one year redshirted, and two as a backup for Tim Tebow, Brantley knows the Gators’ offense inside and out. Even though Florida lost nine players to the NFL draft, as senior guard/center Mike Pouncey said, “We don’t rebuild at Florida. We just reload.” The Gators should be in the thick of the National Championship race again, and if that prediction holds, it will be all in part to John Brantley.

Daniel’s Heisman Winner: Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State

Pryor was one of the nation's top dual threat quarterbacks last season.

The time has finally come for the former top overall recruit to shine in Columbus. Yes, he has compiled a 19-5 record as a starter in two seasons under center for the Buckeyes, but Pryor’s numbers  have been mediocre, to say the least. He has thrown for as many career passing yards as some, top flight college quarterbacks accumulate in just one year. So why does Pryor get my vote? Well, Pryor really matured into the position following a shocking loss to Purdue in 2009. He went on to lead the Buckeyes to six consecutive wins to finish the season, including an overtime win over Iowa, and against Oregon in the Rose Bowl, Pryor dazzled.  Throwing for 266 yards and running for 72 more, he finally emerged as an electric dual threat quarterback. This season, Pryor returns to an Ohio State team that looks to be among the best in the entire country. The dynamic duo of Brandon Saine and Dan Herron at running back have returned, plus Pryor’s favorite target junior wide receiver DeVier Posey expects to again dominate Big 10 secondaries. If the Jeanette, Pennsylvania native were to take home the Heisman Trophy, he would become the Buckeyes’ second winner in four years.  In 2007,  Troy Smith brought college football’s most iconic award to Columbus, leading Ohio State to the national championship game, before losing easily to Florida. Don’t expect such a lackluster performance from Pryor come January, however. Clearly, he has shown an uncanny knack to play his best in the highest of circumstances.

Daniel’s Surprise Heisman Finalist: Jacquizz Rodgers

The Pac 10 is more wide open than ever. Perennial conference giant USC is banned for postseason play, the California Golden Bears lost star running back Jahvid Best to the NFL, and the Oregon Ducks have questions at quarterback. Following multiple behavorial issues, Ducks head coach Chip Kelly dismissed starting signal caller, Jeremiah Masoli, from the team.  So, my pick to win the Pac 10 finished second in conference in 2009, the Oregon State Beavers, and they are led offensively by Jacquizz Rodgers. Boasting a 5 foot 7 inch 193 pound frame, he certainly doesn’t appear to be a prototypcal running back. Nevertheless, Rodgers has emerged in his two season at Oregon State as one of the nation’s elite. With a surprising willingness to run between the tackles, he has incredible speed through the holes. In the open field, the Texas product is almost unstoppable. Rodgers is one of the most agile running backs we have seen in years, able to cut and change direction on a dime.

Remember, defenses in 2010 will not be able to key on just Rodgers and the running game. The Beavers possess another dynamic option at wide receiver, namely Jacquizz Rodgers’ older brother,  James.  Such a combination will give headaches yearlong to defenses, and in an otherwise down year for the Pac-10, the Rodgers brothers look to go to a BCS Bowl for the first time since the days of Dennis Erickson. If all goes right for the Beavers and Jacquizz has a monster season, there is no doubt he will be a Heisman finalist.

-John Stoller, Daniel Radov