Colt McCoy: The Best QB Named Colt

The 2006 Heisman Trophy was awarded to Ohio State's Troy Smith Saturday night in an agonizingly long and uneventful made-for-ESPN ceremony. With that out of the way we can now look forward to next year and begin discussing the players who could make a run for college football's biggest award in 2007.

Heisman runner-up Darren McFadden is likely the early favorite but Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and a random overhyped Notre Dame player should also be on any early lists. As just a redshirt freshman McCoy was a serious Heisman contender in early November before he was injured and he should be ready for an even better season in 2007.

McCoy's passing stats were on par with Troy Smith and Brady Quinn's and he was leading his team like a grizzled veteran. He led the Horns to come from behind victories against Nebraska and Texas Tech. Before that fateful QB sneak against Kansas State, McCoy was setting team and national records and had the Horns in position to defend their national title. Imagine the numbers he could've put up if offensive coordinator Greg Davis hadn't kept the training wheels on for so long.

It won't be a cakewalk for McCoy next year, the Longhorns do lose three of their starting linemen including All-American Justin Blalock and there's rumors his favorite wide receiver Limas Sweed may jump to the NFL early. McCoy needs to improve his arm strength, force fewer passes into coverage, and most of all stay healthy for the entire season, but if he does those things he could find himself in New York for the 2007 Heisman Trophy presentation.