Top 20 NCAA players to watch in 2010

1. Mark Ingram – RB – Alabama

Anytime you win a Heisman trophy, you can expect to be under the microscope the most. Just ask Tim Tebow, who was always one of the most scrutinized players after winning that award. This is the year that Ingram’s every move will be watched the most, and with a player like Trent Richardson playing behind him, it makes it all the more watch-worthy.

2. Terrelle Pryor – QB – Ohio State

This is the year he’s supposed to march the Buckeyes into the BCS Championship. You can bet that every move will be watched with that in mind. Can he hold up to the pressure?

3. Ryan Williams – RB – Virginia Tech

From promising to experienced leader, can Williams show that he’s ready to be the leader he was always expected to be? This is the year he stands up or slouches down.

4. Ryan Mallett – QB – Arkansas

Was he a chump or champ for returning for his junior year? This is the year we find out if he can fulfill all the promise he was supposed to have. A great year could propel him into first round status in the NFL draft; another year like last year could make him a project for some team. What will happen?

5. John Brantley – QB – Florida

All eyes are going to be on Brantley as he takes the reins from Tim Tebow. Can he hold up under that pressure, or will he wither? Odds are he’ll do fine, but only time and SEC competition can tell for sure.

6. Julio Jones – WR – Alabama

Julio has been nagged by injuries the last two years and has never lived up to his full potential as the nation’s hottest high school recruit at receiver. Is this the year he finally breaks out? With Alabama’s QB having a year under his belt, Nick Saban may turn Jones loose to explore this possibility.

7. Jake Locker – QB – Washington

Entering his fourth year, Locker holds in his hands the ability to lift this program back to respectability. Can he handle this much pressure and do it? This is the year everyone will be watching, and it’s a make or break year not just for Locker, but for Washington too.

8. Matt Barkley – QB – USC

Now no longer a freshman, can Barkley turn the 15-14 TD-interception ratio around? With looming NCAA charges pending, Barkley holds more than just the hopes of USC fans in his hands—he also holds the future of the entire program.

9. Kellen Moore – QB – Boise State

If Boise State is to become anything more than a BCS buster and be a BCS winner, it will depend largely on the efforts of Kellen Moore. He not only has to win, but also win better and more impressively than the other teams that finish undefeated. That’s a big order to fill. Can he do it?

10. Jacory Harris – QB – Miami

As Miami desperately tries to regain past glory, it’s really up to Jacory Harris to make it happen. A bad season could cost his head coach his job; a great season could give him an extension. What will happen?

11. Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU

LSU had a mediocre season last year and gave up too may big plays that cost them dearly. Peterson has the ability to help LSU stop the big ones, but last year he only had INTs against Tulane and Mississippi State, teams they would have beaten anyway. This is the year he has to do it against bigger foes. Will he?

12. Landry Jones – QB – Oklahoma

Last year the Oklahoma team was exposed as the Sam Bradford supporting cast. Bluntly put, without Bradford, Oklahoma sucked. Can Jones use that year of experience to help lead the Sooners back? Many will be watching to see.

13. Trent Richardson – RB – Alabama

There are actually some that believe that though Mark Ingram won the Heisman trophy, he may have been the second best running back on the Alabama team. Will this be the year that Richardson makes his mark, not just on the team, but nationally as well? Many will be watching and comparing.

14. Aaron Murray – QB – Georgia

You come off a redshirt year and take over the offense on a team that is trying desperately to get to the next level. Here is Murray, and to do it as a first-year player is even tougher. Lots of eyes and prayers will be on young Aaron Murray.

15. Luke Kuechly – LB – Boston College

Last year this young freshman logged 142 tackles and one interception and helped this young team make its mark on the college football scene. Can he actually improve that total and help BC get to the conference championship? A lot of people will be watching.

16. Case Keenum – QB – Houston

Back-to-back 5,000-yard seasons make him a legitimate player to burst records in his fourth season as a QB. A lot of people are watching Houston as an upset team that could break through this year. Whether they do it or not depends on Keenum. Can he stand up to that pressure?

17. A.J. Green – WR – Georgia

Georgia has been an also-ran in the SEC for a few years now. Matthew Stafford couldn’t get them over the hump, and Joe Cox couldn’t either. Somebody has to stand up and lead this team and make them a terror to play. Green was supposed to be that guy for a while and failed. Many think he can be the man this year. Can he? A lot of people will be praying and watching.

18. Garrett Gilbert – QB – Texas

Thrust into a national championship game with little work or prep and giving a good showing made a lot of people curious about Garrett Gilbert and made them think he could actually do a great job replacing Colt McCoy. But doing it for a whole season is another matter. Can he hold up? We’ll all be watching.

19. Christian Ponder – QB – Fla. State

The post-Bobby Bowden era begins, and whether they look foolish or fine for forcing Bowden out will depend on how well Ponder can lead the team and keep the heat off the defense. With Mickey Andrews also gone, the offense may have to score a lot, and Ponder is the key. There’s a lot on his shoulders, and many will be watching to see how he handles it.

20. Greg McElroy – QB – Alabama

This guy is 30-0 since high school. Can he be the first QB to go undefeated from high school through college? This has never been done before. A lot of eyes will be on Alabama this year as they fight to go back-to-back for the first time in many years. The McElroy undefeated streak will pick up steam with every win. Can he handle the pressure? Many will be watching to see.

And that’s the top 20. Surely there are others, but these are people that teams are not only counting on, but watching intently as well. How they bear up under the pressure is yet to be seen, but it will be a great year.

Source: Bleacher Report