It’s the most prestigious individual award in all of sports, and this year, there’s no shortage of candidates. Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice is next up in Athlon's 2007 Heisman Watch, which will be released in no particular order.

Georgia Tech’s 2006 season ended in disappointment, as a 9–2 start crumbled amid three straight three-point losses — to Georgia, ACC champ Wake Forest and West Virginia in the Gator Bowl — to close the season.

Don’t blame Tashard Choice. The 6’1”, 205-pound wrecking ball finished 2006 on an absolute tear, posting 146 yards against Georgia, 100 yards against a stingy Wake defense and a season-high 169 yards and two touchdowns in the Gator Bowl loss to the Mountaineers. Perhaps no other player entered the offseason with as much personal momentum as Choice, who will be the focus of the Georgia Tech offense with the departure of all-world receiver Calvin Johnson. Choice is riding a streak of seven straight 100-yard games after a season that saw him crack the century mark nine times while rushing for a total of 1,473 yards — tops in the ACC — and 12 touchdowns.

Athlon's 2007 Heisman Watch

And while you might think that the loss of Johnson and quarterback Reggie Ball would lead teams to stack the box to stop Choice this season, consider this: in 2006, the Jackets only averaged 169.6 yards through the air (91st in the nation), and junior quarterback Taylor Bennett looks like a vast improvement over the inconsistent Ball. Last season might have represented the ACC’s best chance to stop Choice, and it failed miserably.

Finding room to run shouldn’t be a problem. The offensive line is solid and experienced, with four out of five starters returning to pave the way for their Heisman candidate.

Georgia Tech Team Preview

In addition, with a more accurate quarterback, Choice will have the chance to show off his hands for NFL scouts; he only caught 12 passes last season, a number that should increase dramatically.

At season’s end, Heisman voters may have no choice but to hand the hardware to Tashard.

Why he’ll be holding the hardware: Choice will be running behind an experienced offensive line and should benefit from an enhanced passing game, even after the loss of receiver Calvin Johnson.

Why he’ll be left out: Much like last season, an opening loss to Notre Dame would represent a blow to Tech’s national hopes and could knock Choice down to permanent second-tier status in the Heisman race.

Final analysis: Georgia Tech plays second-fiddle in its own state, so it’s asking a lot for a Tech player to break through on a national level. Choice will have to post monster numbers to become the first Yellow Jacket to win the Heisman. He’s capable, but if Calvin Johnson couldn’t do it, then a Tech player may never win the trophy.
 
2006 Stat Line