The Heisman Watch

By Albert Lin, CNN/SI

Here's the preseason edition of our weekly look at the race for the most coveted individual trophy in team sports.

CREAM OF THE CROP Drew Brees, QB, Jr., Purdue (3,983 yards, 39 TDs, 20 INTs) Pilots the most prolific major-college passing attack. Quincy Carter, QB, Soph., Georgia (2,706, 14, 12 passing; 313 yards, 5 TDs rushing) Mature sophomore (22 on Oct. 13) has great size and run/pass ability. Ron Dayne, RB, Sr., Wisconsin (1,525, 15) Should break Ricky Williams's career rushing record. Joe Hamilton, QB, Sr., Georgia Tech (2,403, 19, 8 passing; 317, 4 rushing) Undersized but exciting playmaker. Jamal Lewis, RB, Jr., Tennessee (498, 3 in four games) Back from knee injury, should anchor offense. Chad Pennington, QB, Sr., Marshall (3,840, 28, 7) Has Herd hovering around Top 25. Chris Redman, QB, Sr., Louisville (4,378, 30, 16) No. 2 nationally last season in total offense. Peter Warrick, WR, Sr., Florida State (62 rec., 1,239 yards, 12 TDs) Country's best receiver surprisingly stayed in school. Michael Wiley, RB, Sr., Ohio State (1,235, 10) Team not as strong, which should mean more chances for him. Ricky Williams, RB, Jr., Texas Tech (1,667, 13) Could benefit from hype surrounding the other Ricky Williams. OTHERS TO WATCH Shaun Alexander, RB, Sr., Alabama (1,233, 13) Touchdown-maker slowed after hot beginning. LaVar Arrington, LB, Jr., Penn State (65 tackles, 7 sacks, 17 tackles-for-loss) Leaps O-lines in a single bound. Trung Canidate, RB, Sr., Arizona (1,321, 10) Averaged incredible 7.0 yards per carry. Reuben Droughns, RB, Sr., Oregon (824, 9 in five games) Will carry Ducks offense without Akili Smith. Doug Johnson, QB, Sr., Florida (2,346, 21, 8) If Steve Spurrier sticks with him as starter. Tee Martin, QB, Sr., Tennessee (2,442, 21, 8 passing; 305, 7 rushing) Steady if unspectacular in leading Vols to national title. Travis Prentice, RB, Sr., Miami, Ohio (1,787, 19) Huge numbers, but his school is too obscure. Tim Rattay, QB, Sr., Louisiana Tech (4,916, 47, 13) Can he put up similar numbers without Troy Edwards? J.R. Redmond, RB, Sr., Arizona State (883, 11 rushing) Excels as runner, returner and receiver.