College Confidential

Texas A&M QB Manziel installed as early favorite for 2013 Heisman; Baylor's Seastrunk also on list #TAMU, #JohnnyFootball, #Heisman

The college football season does not begin for another seven months but Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel already has been installed as the early favorite to capture the 2013 Heisman Trophy, based on odds released today by Bovada Sports Book (www.Bovada.lv).

The site installed Manziel, the 2012 Heisman and Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award winner, as a 4/1 favorite to repeat as the Heisman winner next season. Manziel already made Heisman history by winning the award as a freshman. A second Heisman would allow him to join Ohio State running back Archie Griffin (1974, 1975) as the only player to win multiple Heismans during a college career.

Joining Manziel among the early favorites to capture the 2013 Heisman Trophy are Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller (7/1), USC wide receiver Marqise Lee (9/1), Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray (10/1), Oregon running back De’Anthony Thomas (10/1), Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron (12/1), Miami running back Duke Johnson (12/1) and South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (12/1).

The only other player from a college in Texas to receive Heisman odds was Baylor running back Lache Seastrunk (20/1). Oklahoma quarterback Blake Bell, who has yet to make his first career start, received 30/1 odds.

Below is a look at the 22 players that received individual odds to win the 2013 Heisman:  

Odds to win the 2013-2014 Heisman Trophy        

Johnny Manziel (QB Texas A&M)                        4/1

Braxton Miller (QB Ohio State)                            7/1

Marquis Lee (WR USC)                                      9/1

Aaron Murray (QB Georgia)                                 10/1

De'Anthony Thomas (RB Oregon)                        10/1

A.J. McCarron (QB Alabama)                              12/1

Duke Johnson (RB Miami)                                  12/1

Jadeveon Clowney (DE South Carolina)                12/1

Tajh Boyd (QB Clemson)                                    15/1

Taylor Martinez (QB Nebraska)                           15/1

Ameer Abdullah (RB Nebraska)                           18/1

Marcus Mariota (QB Oregon)                              18/1

T.J. Yeldon (RB Alabama)                                   18/1

Brett Hundley (QB UCLA)                                   20/1

Lache Seastrunk (RB Baylor)                              20/1

Everett Golson (QB Notre Dame)                         22/1

Stephen Morris (QB Miami)                                 25/1

Blake Bell (QB Oklahoma)                                  30/1

Jeff Driskel (QB Florida)                                      30/1

Ka'Deem Carey (RB Arizona)                              33/1

Devin Gardner (QB Michigan)                              40/1

Stefon Diggs (WR Maryland)                               40/1

 

­_ Jimmy Burch

 

Website calls Heisman race in favor of Texas A&M QB Manziel

Officials at StiffArmTrophy.com have called the 2012 Heisman Trophy race in favor of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, based on a sampling of responses from 180 voters _ roughly 20 percent of the total Heisman electorate.

In posting today's final projection, editors at the site said Manziel received 105 first-place votes and 80.8 percent of the available points under the Heisman tabulation system (3 points for first-place vote, 2 points for second, 1 point for third). Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o received 49 first-place votes and 57.9 percent of avaialable points. Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein received 10 first-place votes and 33.5 percent of available points.

Editors at the site wrote that Manziel's margin of victory projects to rank among the top six or seven most decisive victories by a Heisman recipient.

Official results will not be revealed until Saturday night's live announcement. But this is the 11th year that the site has done its survey and projected a winner. Thus far, its track record is 10-of-10 in predicting the Heisman winner.

A link to today's tabulations is below. 

http://www.stiffarmtrophy.com/    

 

_ Jimmy Burch

Texas A&M's Manziel becoming prohibitive Heisman favorite, odds now 1/15 for him to win Saturday

Momentum continues to build toward the likelihood of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel becoming the first freshman to win a Heisman Trophy in the 77-year history of college football’s top individual honor.

Odds released today by Bovada Sports Book (www.Bovada.lv) established Manziel, a redshirt freshman, as a 1/15 favorite to hoist the hardware Saturday night in New York. That dwarfed the odds given to the other two finalists: Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o (4/1) and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein (25/1).

In addition, Manziel _ who celebrates his 20th birthday today _ has carved out a solid lead in projections by StiffArmTrophy.com, which solicits feedback from Heisman voters. With input from 140 voters, the site reported this morning that Manziel has 82 first-place votes _ double the total for Te’o (41), the next-closest finalist _ and was listed on 127 of 140 ballots. Voters are required to select a first, second and third choice on each ballot.

Te’o appeared on 104 ballots, the site reported, with Klein receiving seven first-place votes and appearing on 94 ballots. The site has correctly predicted the Heisman winner in each of the last 10 years.

Manziel emerged Wednesday as the leader in the final weekly installment of the Scripps Howard News Service Heisman Trophy Poll, the nation’s longest-running Heisman poll. Since its inception in 1987, it has correctly forecast the Heisman winner in its final weekly installment in 21 of 25 years, including last season.

Manziel received seven of 10 available first-place votes from members of the Scripps voting panel. The redshirt freshman, who rushed for 1,181 yards, passed for 3,419 yards and accounted for 43 touchdowns (19 rushing, 24 passing) in his first season as the Aggies’ starting quarterback, is up for two awards that will be presented during tonight’s telecast of The Home Depot College Football Awards Show (6:30 p.m., ESPN): the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and the Maxwell Award.

During a news conference to promote tonight’s awards show in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Manziel acknowledged winning a national award would be a special way to celebrate his 20th birthday. But he said he hasn’t had much time to think about the opportunity.

“I haven’t really thought about my birthday much. I was more worried about trying to get finals done and get everything done before I left,” said Manziel, who will head from Florida to New York for Saturday’s Heisman presentation. “My birthday … kind of slipped my mind. But I’m looking forward to sharing my birthday with my dad.”

Manziel’s parents, John Paul and Michelle Manziel, have accompanied him to Florida for tonight’s awards show.

_ Jimmy Burch

Manziel selected as Heisman finalist, projected to win award based on newspaper survey #TAMU, #JohnnyFootball, #Heisman

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, selected Monday as one of three finalists for the 2012 Heisman Trophy, projects to win the award based on a Houston Chronicle survey. But the final vote could be close.

Manziel joined Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein on the list of finalists who will be in New York for Saturday’s live announcement. But the race, based on the newspaper survey, apparently boils down to Manziel vs. Te’o.

Newspaper officials received responses from 69 Heisman voters in 21 different states, with Manziel receiving 38 first-place votes. Te’o received 30 first-place votes, with the other top vote going to Southern California receiver Marquise Lee.

The survey requested only the voter’s first-place choice on his or her returned ballot. The official Heisman ballot requires three names, with players receiving points for being selected first, second or third on each ballot.

Manziel, a redshirt freshman selected Monday as the SEC’s Offensive Player of the Year, could become the first freshman to win the Heisman in the award’s 77-year history. A&M’s only previous Heisman winner is John David Crow, the 1957 recipient.

“I’m overwhelmed by this tremendous honor,” Manziel said in a statement released by school officials. “This is a dream come true for me, and I know it’s a credit to all my coaches and teammates. I definitely wouldn’t be a Heisman finalist without my teammates and coaches.”

In breaking down the responses from Heisman voters in the Chronicle survey, Manziel dominated the Southwest region, collecting 19 of 22 first-place votes from respondents. Te’o received seven of eight first-place votes from respondents in the Northeast, while other precincts were more evenly split. The newspaper’s survey received responses from 7 percent of the 928 Heisman voters.

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Manziel maintains comfortable lead in weekly Scripps Heisman poll #TAMU, #JohnnyFootball, #Heisman

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, a record-setting redshirt freshman, maintained a comfortable lead in today’s 10h installment of the Scripps Howard News Service Heisman Trophy Poll.

Manziel, the first freshman in FBS history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, received eight of 10 first-place votes from members of the voting panel for a second consecutive week. He leads Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o, who moved into second place after receiving the other two first-place votes from members of the voting panel.

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein, who will be the only Heisman frontrunner in action Saturday, slipped from second to third in this week’s balloting. The Wildcats (10-1) were idle last week but close the regular season Saturday against No. 18 Texas (8-3) in Manhattan, Kan.

A&M (10-2) and Notre Dame (12-0) have completed their regular seasons.

The Scripps poll is the longest-running Heisman Trophy poll in the nation. Since its inception in 1987, it has correctly forecast the Heisman winner in its final weekly installment in 21 of 25 years, including last season. Below is a look at this week’s poll and a list of voters:

This week's top five:
 
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
 
1. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 3,419 passing yards, 68.3 completion pct., 24 TDs, 8 ints., 1,181 rushing yards, 19 TDs, 47 (8).
 
2. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 103 tackles, 7 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 1.5 sacks, 36 (2).
 
3. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 2,306 passing yards, 66.7 completion pct., 14 TDs, 6 interceptions, 787 rushing yards, 20 TDs, 32.
 
4. RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 1,624 rushing yards, 21 TDs, 19 receptions, 1 TD, 12.
 
5. QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State, 2,039 passing yards, 58.3 completion pct., 15 TDs, 6 ints., 1,271 rushing yards, 13 TDs, 6
 
Others receiving votes: USC WR/KR Marqise Lee 5, Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch 4, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball 3, Clemson QB Tajh Boyd 2, Alabama QB A.J. McCarron 2, South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney 1.
 
Last week's top five:
 
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
 
1. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 47 (8).
 
2. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 32 (1).
 
3. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 27 (1).
 
4. WR/KR Marqise Lee, USC, 11.
 
5. RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 10.
 

   Voters: Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman; Randy Beard, Evansville Courier and Press; Jimmy Burch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Bob Condotta, Seattle Times; Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com; Vahe Gregorian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; John Helsley, The Oklahoman; Mike Griffith, Knoxville News-Sentinel, and Todd Jones, Columbus Dispatch.

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Texas A&M QB Manziel tops Scripps Howard Heisman poll (full story, plus voting) #TAMU, #JohnnyFootball

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, a record-setting redshirt freshman, is the new leader in today’s ninth installment of the Scripps Howard News Service Heisman Trophy Poll.

Manziel, the first freshman in FBS history to throw for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season, received eight of 10 first-place votes from members of the voting panel to surge past Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein. Klein, the leader the past three weeks, finished second in balloting, followed by Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o.

Both Klein and Te’o received one first-place vote. The rest went to Manziel, who is bidding to become the first freshman to win the Heisman in the award’s 77-year history. Manziel threw for 267 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards and two scores in last week’s 47-28 victory over Sam Houston State.

No. 9 A&M (9-2) closes its regular season Saturday against Missouri (5-6) in College Station. Manziel, also a finalist for the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award, has rushed for 1,114 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He has thrown for 3,047 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.

The Scripps poll is the longest-running Heisman Trophy poll in the nation. Since its inception in 1987, it has correctly forecast the Heisman winner in its final weekly installment in 21 of 25 years, including last season. Below is a look at this week’s poll and a list of voters:

This week's top five:
 
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
 
1. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 3,047 passing yards, 67.7 completion pct., 21 TDs, 7 ints., 1,114 rushing yards, 17 TDs, 47 (8).
 
2. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 2,306 passing yards, 69.7 completion pct., 12 TDs, 3 interceptions, 787 rushing yards, 20 TDs, 32 (1).
 
3. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 98 tackles, 6 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 1.5 sacks, 27 (1).
 
4. WR/KR Marqise Lee, USC, 107 receptions, 1,605 yards, 14 TDs, 704 return yards, 1 TD, 107 rushing yards, 11.
 
5. RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 1,426 rushing yards, 19 TDs, 19 receptions, 1 TD, 10.
 
Others receiving votes: Ohio State QB Braxton Miller 9, Clemson QB Tajh Boyd 6, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball 3, Alabama QB A.J. McCarron 3, Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch 2.
 
Last week's top five:
 
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
 
1. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 47 (8).
 
2. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 36 (2).
 
3. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 23.
 
4. RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 16.
 
5. WR/KR Marqise Lee, 11.
 

   Voters: Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman; Randy Beard, Evansville Courier and Press; Jimmy Burch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Bob Condotta, Seattle Times; Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com; Vahe Gregorian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; John Helsley, The Oklahoman; Mike Griffith, Knoxville News-Sentinel, and Todd Jones, Columbus Dispatch.

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Texas A&M QB Manziel given 3/1 odds in Heisman race, ranking 2nd to Klein #aggies, #TAMU

Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel, a redshirt freshman, has been given 3/1 odds to win the 2012 Heisman Trophy by officials at Bovada Sports Book. Manziel ranks as the No. 2 favorite in the race, behind Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein, the frontrunner for the past month. Klein received updated odds of 2/5 today.

If successful in his Heisman quest, Manziel would become the first freshman to win college football’s top individual honor.

In addition, No. 2 Oregon (10-0) has been installed as a 1/1 favorite to win the BCS National Championship Game, with No. 1 Kansas State (10-0) at 17/10. No. 3 Notre Dame (10-0), the third undefeated team in the title mix, received 6/1 odds.

No. 4 Alabama (9-1), the defending national champ, received 17/2 odds and No. 5 Georgia (9-1), which already has clinched a berth in the SEC Championship Game, was installed as a 20/1 pick.
Below is a look at some of today’s updated odds on issues pertaining to college football:

Odds to win the 2012-2013 BCS National Championship
Oregon                          1/1
Kansas State                17/10
Notre Dame                   6/1
Alabama                       17/2
Georgia                         20/1
 
Will Oregon and Kansas State meet in the BCA Championship game?
Yes      +120     (6/5)
No         -150     (2/3)
 
Odds to win the 2012 Heisman Trophy
Collin Klein (QB Kansas State)                           2/5
Johnny Manziel (QB Texas A&M)                        3/1
Marqise Lee (WR USC)                                      8/1
Manti Te'o (LB Notre Dame)                                10/1
Kenjon Barner (RB Oregon)                                 10/1
Braxton Miller (QB Ohio State)                            30/1

_ Jimmy Burch

Texas A&M QB Manziel up to 2nd in Scripps Heisman poll, trailing K-State's Klein #aggies

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein continues to lead in today’s eighth installment of the Scripps Howard News Service Heisman Poll, but Texas A&M freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel is gaining ground.

Manziel, up to second in this week’s poll, received two of the 10 first-place votes in balloting announced today. Klein, a senior, received the other eight after claiming all 10 first-place votes from members of the voting panel last week.

Manziel, bidding to become the first freshman to win a Heisman Trophy, completed 24-of-31 passes for 253 yards and two TDs while rushing for 92 yards in last week’s 29-24 upset of then-No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Manziel and Klein were the only candidates listed this week on all 10 ballots turned in by members of the voting committee.

The Scripps poll is the longest-running Heisman Trophy poll in the nation. Since its inception in 1987, it has correctly forecast the Heisman winner in its final weekly installment in 21 of 25 years, including last season. Below is a look at this week’s poll and a list of voters:
 
This week's top five:
 
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
 
1. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 2,020 passing yards, 69.7 completion pct., 12 TDs, 3 interceptions, 748 rushing yards, 19 TDs, 47 (8).
 
2. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 2,780 passing yards, 67.6 completion pct., 18 TDs, 6 ints., 1,014 rushing yards, 15 TDs, 36 (2).
 
3. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 87 tackles, 6 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 1.5 sacks, 23.
 
4. RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 1,360 rushing yards, 19 TDs, 18 receptions, 1 TD, 16.
 
5. WR/KR Marqise Lee, USC, 98 receptions, 1,447 yards, 13 TDs, 677 return yards, 1 TD, 110 rushing yards, 11.
 
Others receiving votes: Ohio State QB Braxton Miller 9, Oregon QB Marcus Mariota 4, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball 2, Alabama QB A.J. McCarron 2.
 
Last week's top five:
 
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
 
1. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 45 (7).
 
2. (tie) RB Kenjon Barner, Oregon, 25 (2).
 
2. (tie) QB A.J. McCarron, Alabama, 25 (1).
 
4. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 24.
 
5. QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State, 16.

 Voters: Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman; Randy Beard, Evansville Courier and Press; Jimmy Burch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Bob Condotta, Seattle Times; Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com; Vahe Gregorian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; John Helsley, The Oklahoman; Mike Griffith, Knoxville News-Sentinel, and Todd Jones, Columbus Dispatch.

_ Jimmy Burch

K-State QB Klein continues to dominate Heisman poll, WVa's Smith slips to 5th

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein remains the runaway leader in today’s seventh installment of the Scripps Howard News Service Heisman Poll. Klein, who received all 10 first-place votes from members of the voting panel for a second consecutive week, threw for 233 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 83 yards and two scores in last week’s 55-24 victory over Texas Tech.

Klein’s closest pursuer is Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o, the runner-up for a second consecutive week. West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, the leader through each of the first five weeks of balloting, slipped from third to fifth in this week’s poll heading into Saturday’s game against TCU.

The Scripps poll is the longest-running Heisman Trophy poll in the nation. Since its inception in 1987, it has correctly forecast the Heisman winner in its final weekly installment in 21 of 25 years, including last season. Below is a look at this week’s poll and a list of voters:
 
This week's top five:
 
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
 
1. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 1,630 passing yards, 70.9 completion pct., 12 TDs, 2 interceptions, 634 rushing yards, 16 TDs, 50 (10).
 
2. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 80 tackles, 5 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 1 sack, 31.
 
3. QB A.J. McCarron, Alabama, 1,684 passing yards, 68.9 completion pct., 18 TDs, 0 ints., -51 rushing yards, 0 TDs, 19.
 
4. QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State, 1,527 passing yards, 58.7 completion pct., 12 TDs, 6 ints., 1,093 rushing yards, 12 TDs, 17.
 
5. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia, 2,414 passing yards, 74.2 completion pct., 26 TDs, 2 ints., 56 rushing yards, 1 TD, 10.
 
Others receiving votes: Oregon RB Kenjon Barner 8, USC WR/KR Marqise Lee 7, Oregon RB/WR/KR De'Anthony Thomas 4, Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel 2, USC QB Matt Barkley 1, Clemson QB Tajh Boyd 1.
 
Last week's top five:
 
1. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 50 (10)
 
2. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 20
 
3. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia, 18
 
4. QB A.J. McCarron, Alabama, 16.
 
5. QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State, 12.
 
Voters: Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman; Randy Beard, Evansville Courier & Press; Jimmy Burch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Bob Condotta, Seattle Times; Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com; Vahe Gregorian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; John Helsley, The Oklahoman; Mike Griffith, Mlive.com; Todd Jones, Columbus Dispatch, and Michael C. Lewis.
 

_ Jimmy Burch 

Kansas State QB Klein becomes landslide leader in Scripps Howard Heisman poll

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein is the new leader in today’s sixth installment of the Scripps Howard News Service Heisman Poll, and by a landslide. Klein, who accounted for seven touchdowns in last week’s 55-14 rout of West Virginia, received all 10 first-place ballots from members of the voting panel.

Klein replaces West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith, the leader through each of the first five weeks of balloting. Smith fell to third, one spot behind Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o. But the runaway leader is Klein, who rushed for four TDs and completed 19-of-21 passes for 323 yards and three TDs in helping No. 3 Kansas State (7-0, 4-0 in Big 12) remain undefeated heading into Saturday’s game against No. 14 Texas Tech (6-1, 3-1) in Manhattan, Kan.

The Scripps poll is the longest-running Heisman Trophy poll in the nation. Since its inception in 1987, it has correctly forecast the Heisman winner in its final weekly installment in 21 of 25 years, including last season. Below is a look at this week’s poll and a list of voters:

This week's top five:
 
Player, School, Season Stats, Poll Points (first-place votes in parentheses).
 
1. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 1,397 passing yards, 70.5 completion pct., 10 TDs, 2 interceptions, 551 rushing yards, 14 TDs, 50 (10)
 
2. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 69 tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 20
 
3. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia, 2,414 passing yards, 74.2 completion pct., 26 TDs, 2 ints., 56 rushing yards, 1 TD, 18
 
4. QB A.J. McCarron, Alabama, 1,476 passing yards, 68.8 completion pct., 16 TDs, 0 ints., -45 rushing yards, 0 TDs, 16.
 
5. QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State, 1,384 passing yards, 58.7 completion pct., 11 TDs, 5 ints., 959 rushing yards, 10 TDs, 12.
 
Others receiving votes: Oregon RB Kenjon Barner 11, Texas Tech QB Seth Doege 10, USC QB Matt Barkley 4, Oregon RB/WR/KR De'Anthony Thomas 4, Georgia QB Aaron Murray 3, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball 2
 
Last week's top five:
 
1. QB Geno Smith, West Virginia, 38 (5)
 
2. QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State, 30 (1)
 
3. QB Collin Klein, Kansas State, 28 (1)
 
4. LB Manti Te'o, Notre Dame, 16 (1)
 
5. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M, 15 (1)
 
Voters: Kirk Bohls, Austin American-Statesman; Randy Beard, Evansville Courier & Press; Jimmy Burch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Bob Condotta, Seattle Times; Dennis Dodd, CBSSports.com; Vahe Gregorian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch; John Helsley, The Oklahoman; Mike Griffith, Mlive.com; Todd Jones, Columbus Dispatch, and Michael C. Lewis.

 _ Jimmy Burch