The Oklahoma State Cowboys football program received some great news today when record-breaking All-American junior wide receiver Justin Blackmon will return along with quarterback Brandon Weeden. Blackmon was projected as a sure-fire first round draft pick after setting Okie State records with 111 catches for 1782 yards and 20 touchdowns. Weeden also set Cowboy records his junior season with 4277 yards passing along with 34 TD's.
While I'm not surprised Weeden is returning since most draft experts don't have him pegged for as a first round pick I'm shocked Blackmon decided to come back. Blackmon was projected to go right behind UGA's A.J. Green and possibly before Alabama's Julio Jones in the first round. With Blackmon returning the Cowboys have a legitimate shot of competing with the Sooners for the Big 12 Championship next year along with defending his Biletnikoff Award versus Michael Floyd.
Here is my list of the top 5 returning players in college football next season off the top of my head. All 5 of these guys have a good shot at competing for the Heisman if they can get their respective programs to a BCS Bowl game and of course compete for a National Title.
1) Andrew Luck (Stanford)-Be ready to be barraged with endless stories on Luck. He's a good guy who deserves the recognition it's just unfortunate that a lot of people will start to hate him because of all the preseason attention.
2) Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State)-Could he put up even better numbers? Wouldn't shock me.
3) Lamichael James (Oregon)-Should have the Ducks competing for the PAC-10 Title.
4) Kellen Moore (Boise State)-The guy just wins and will probably throw for a bijillion yards vs. Georgia on national television.
5) Manti Te'o (Notre Dame)-The Hawaiian Hitman will have his coming out party in 2011.
