Is Braxton Miller Johnny Manziel’s Top Challenger For The 2013 Heisman?

Here’s some college football news for my fans who’d rather attend their favorite school’s spring football game than watch the Sweet Sixteen next weekend.

Athlon Sports (via. AL.com) recently released its top 25 candidates for the 2013 Heisman Trophy, and it looks like Johnny Manziel will have some real competition next year if he’s going to repeat as the Heisman Trophy winner.  Here are the top ten favorites based on Las Vegas’ latest odds:

Johnny Manziel (QB Texas A&M)            4/1

Braxton Miller (QB Ohio State)                7/1

Marquis Lee (WR USC)                               9/1

Aaron Murray (QB Georgia)                       10/1

De’Anthony Thomas (RB Oregon)             10/1

A.J. McCarron (QB Alabama)                     12/1

Duke Johnson (RB Miami)                          12/1

Jadeveon Clowney (DE South Carolina)   12/1

Tajh Boyd (QB Clemson)                            15/1

Taylor Martinez (QB Nebraska)               15/1

But for Ohio State’s probation in 2012, Braxton Miller may have won the award last season after leading the Buckeyes to an undefeated regular season.  Ohio State is returning enough talent to go undefeated again next year, and Manziel has to go through the SEC gauntlet.

I wouldn’t be shocked to see Miller, A.J. McCarron or Aaron Murray take the award from Manziel next year.