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

After two years in Austin, Jamaal Charles already stands 20th on Texas’ all-time career rushing list despite a grand total of just four starts. He has participated in 25 of his team’s 26 games over that time, however, and amassed 1,709 yards at 6.2 per carry and 18 touchdowns. He has been the most dangerous running back on the team since his arrival.

A Parade All-American as a high school senior in Port Arthur, Charles burst onto the college scene as a true freshman with 878 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging an eye-popping 7.4 yards per attempt for the national champions, while battling through an ankle injury for part of the campaign.

Athlon's 2007 Heisman Watch

Charles holds the school records for most rushing yards in a player’s first game (135 against UL-Lafayette) and first start (189 against Rice). His 80-yard touchdown jaunt against Oklahoma in 2005 ranks as the second-longest run by a freshman in school history, and is the longest ever by a Longhorn in the Red River Rivalry. For his efforts as a rookie he was named second-team All-Big 12 despite starting just three games, and the Big 12 coaches selected him as the conference’s Offensive Freshman of the Year.

Texas Team Preview

Last season, Charles backed up Selvin Young and still led the Longhorns with 831 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground and repeated as a second-team All-Big 12 pick.

Charles has relied on his speed (he took fifth place in the 100 meters at the NCAA outdoor track nationals in 2006) and elusiveness to leave defenders in his dust, but he enters 2007 with 12 pounds of added muscle in order to add another dimension to his game. He is a proven receiver with 32 career catches, including three for touchdowns.

Why he’ll be holding the hardware: With Young gone, Charles is now the feature back in the Longhorn offense, so he should have a breakout year. And he will be highly visible all season, playing for one of the two or three best teams in America, so a lack of exposure won’t be a problem.

Why he’ll be left out: With three new starting offensive linemen, perhaps the blocking won’t be there. But this is Texas, so that is a stretch. Colt McCoy could be receiving votes as well if Texas is in the national spotlight all season, however.

Final analysis: If he can stay healthy and excel while taking the bulk of the team’s carries, Charles should supply plenty of highlight-reel runs. He might still be another year away from his best shot at the Trophy, however, due to the depth of this year’s field.

2006 Stat Line

ATT	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD	REC	YDS	AVG	LNG	TD
156	831	5.3	46	7	18	183	10.2	72	1

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