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10. Dont’a Hightower, LB, Alabama Crimson Tide

Hightower is arguably the best linebacker in the country, leading a Crimson Tide team that had slightly disappointing season in 2o10, losing three games including a huge loss in-state rival and eventual NCAA Champion Auburn Tigers.

Hightower will lead a defense that lost just two starters and is poised for a tremendous junior season following in the footsteps of former Alabama star linebacker Rolando McClain.

Hightower finished the 2010 season with 69 tackles, 30 solos, nine QB hurries and three pass breakups finishing as a second-team All-SEC player.

Watch out for Hightower, he could be making some big plays for the Crimson Tide defense.

9. Lamar Miller, RB, Miami Hurricanes

Miller, is a super talented back in a crowded Hurricanes backfield but should come out as the starter and be a major impact on Miami’s offense. The ‘Canes are under some heat right now and with a number of their players in question, Miller could emerge as the biggest offensive weapon they have for the 2011 season.

Miller, a sophomore, ran wild at their scrimmage during the spring at Lockhart Stadium with two long touchdown runs against the defense and has seemingly gotten stronger and faster.

Watch out for Lamar Miller, he will be making some big plays this season for the ‘Canes.

8. Cliff Harris, CB, Oregon Ducks

Harris is one of the more exciting players on defense/special teams that you will see this season. Even though he will be suspended for the first game of the season, Harris will prove to be a difference maker in the Ducks secondary and in the punt return game.

Harris ran back four punts for touchdowns in 2010, leading the nation. He came in second with an 18.8 yard average and was just as good at corner leading the nation with 23 pass defenses and 17 pass breakups. Harris’ big play ability will give the Ducks some much better field position this season and could prove to be a huge difference maker in 2011.

7. Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina Gamecocks

Lattimore was arguably the best true freshman running back from the 2010 season rushing for 1,197 yards and 17 touchdowns. SEC defenses will look to try to stop the young runner this year but it will be tough because teammate and best wide receiver in the SEC, Alshon Jeffrey, will be in the secondary looking for passes which will be opening up some more running lanes for Lattimore in 2011.

Lattimore, Alabama running back Trent Richardson, fellow sophomore running back Michael Dyer and Arkansas’ Knile Davis will be vying for the top running back spot in the SEC and it should be great battle between these SEC great runners.

6. Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama Crimson Tide

In my opinion, Richardson is the best running back in college football. I call him a video game running back. When you create a player in the game and make all his attributes 99, I believe Richardson is that back.

At 5’11″ 220lbs, he has the speed, hands, power, quickness, agility and vision to be the best running back in the country. The only reason his numbers aren’t higher is because he had to share time with 2009 Heisman Trophy Winner Mark Ingram but this year he will have it all to himself.

Another thing I love about Richardson is that he returns kicks which is something that no other star running back in the nation possesses. Richardson has big play written all over him and this year he will get a lot more chances to do so in a Crimson Tide offense that looks to be a front-runner for a national championship and would lead to an eventual Heisman Trophy for Richardson.

5. Alshon Jeffrey, WR, South Carolina Gamecocks

Jeffrey is my favorite wide receiver in the country this year. I love the big wide receiver (6’4″ 229lb) that can make huge catches down the field and Jeffrey is just that. Since the departure of Alabama’s Julio Jones, and Georgia’s A.J. Green, Jeffrey will be the premier receiver in the SEC this season.

Jeffrey finished his sophomore season fourth in the nation in receiving yards with 1,517 yards and finished tops in the SEC in all other receiving categories. His numbers would be a lot better if he had more consistency at the quarterback position and didn’t have to share the ball with tremendous true freshman running back Marcus Lattimore.

Though his numbers could have been better, the Gamecocks played well enough to win the SEC West and is primed to finish with another great season with all of it’s key components returning from last year’s team. Jeffrey made some huge catches down the stretch for South Carolina and will definitely be doing it again for them in 2011.

4. Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Blackmon is arguably the best receiver in college football this season and is primed for another tremendous season. The Cowboys haven’t missed a beat since losing star wide receiver Dez Bryant due to the big play ability of Blackmon.

The 2010 Fred Biletnikoff Award Winner finished his sophomore season as a first team all-american, coming in third in the nation with 111 catches, second in yards with 1,782 and lead the nation in touchdowns with 20. Blackmon has tremendous hands, body control and will continue to make big plays in the Oklahoma State offense.

3. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan

Robinson is arguably the most exciting player in college football and he proved it last year by becoming the second-leading rusher in the nation running for an amazing 1,702 yards and 14 touchdowns. He would make big play after big play every game with his legs and didn’t do to bad in the air either passing for 2,570 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Robinson will be running a new offense this year that will keep him the pocket more than he had in previous years but still look for him to be a super exciting player and if the defense can play better than last year for the Wolverines, he could be front-runner for the Heisman Trophy.

2. LaMichael James, RB, Oregon Ducks

James had a number of huge runs for the national championship runner-up Oregon Ducks and looks to have another similar season in 2011. James led the nation in rushing with 1,731 yards and came just one touchdown shy of leading the nation with 21 touchdowns.

James, a first-team All-American and 2010 Doak Walker Award winner, will be looking for a shot at another National Championship after losing to last year’s winners, the Auburn Tigers and a possible Heisman Trophy.

1. Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford Cardinal

Luck passed on the No. 1 overall NFL pick to come back to Stanford to not only finish his degree but to accomplish to goals, win the Heisman Trophy and a National Championship.

Luck came in second to Auburn quarterback Cam Newton in the 2010 Heisman Trophy voting and came one win short of possibly facing Newton in the national championship game last season with the Cardinal’s loan loss coming at the hands of eventual national championship runner-up Oregon Ducks.

Only Newton and Boise State’s Kellen Moore finished ahead of him in quarterback rating and Luck lead the Pac-10 in passing with 3,338 yards and 32 touchdowns. Along with those stats, Luck had some amazing plays throughout the 2010 season and looks to be headed in the same direction this season.