Heisman Trophy Top Five: Jeremiah Smith Leads the Race

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From Outspoken With Dan Sileo

Jeremiah Smith Leads Dan Sileo’s Top Five Heisman Trophy Candidates

It is time to start putting together my candidates for the Heisman Trophy vote. Each year, I want to give proper recognition to the players who deserve it, regardless of the school they attend. I voted for Florida quarterback Tim Tebow twice and for Cam Newton when he was at Auburn. The Heisman Trophy is one of the most deserving awards in American sports, and I want my vote to go to the most deserving player.

At number five, I have Jesse LeGrey from Oregon State. His move from North Texas to Oregon State has made a difference. He is averaging 148 receiving yards per game and has 46 catches, an average of 22 yards per catch and 14 touchdowns. He has also signed to return to Corvallis and play for the Oregon State Beavers next year. He is having a spectacular season.

At number four is Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr, who has a big game coming up in a couple of weeks. He has played well, with a high completion percentage and great numbers. He commands an offense that has many weapons, a great running game and one of the best offensive lines. Carr belongs in the conversation to go to New York.

At number three is Malachi Tony. He is the greatest wide receiver the University of Miami has ever produced, ahead of legendary players such as Michael Irvin, Andre Johnson and Santana Moss. Michael Irvin attends the games and has called him the best player Miami has ever had.

Tony is only 18 years old and was 17 when he was making catches against Notre Dame a year ago. He is a local player who gives back to the community and represents the University of Miami well. He is having a spectacular season, and I believe he will reach New York as one of the finalists.

At number two is another Miami player, Darian Mensa, who has an 81.4 completion percentage. Like many others, I want to see Miami face an elite program. Wake Forest is better than people thought, but it is not among the elite teams expected to reach the football playoffs.

Before Miami’s major game in two weeks, it faces UNC on Halloween night. Miami cannot allow that matchup to become a trap game. Belichick may present some challenges, and it will be important to see how Mensa and Tony respond.

At number one is Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Unless something catastrophic happens, Smith is the best player in the country. He may be one of the top 10 players in college football history and could become the greatest Ohio State Buckeye of all time.

Smith has my vote for the Heisman Trophy, the Walter Camp Player of the Year, the Belitnikov and every consensus All-American football team. He is on his way to becoming one of the truly great players.

However, Mensa and Tony have a major Heisman opportunity coming in two weeks against Notre Dame. If Tony records 200 receiving yards in that game, the conversation could begin to shift. The same applies to Mensa. That matchup will mean a great deal for both players and their Heisman chances.