Now that the 2012 NCAA football regular season is complete, it’s time to honor the most outstanding players on the field this year. USC quarterback Matt Barkley entered 2012 the Heisman favorite but faltered early.

West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith grabbed the reigns as early season favorite with a great September. After Smith and West Virginia lost a few games, Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein became the presumed frontrunner before a disappointing loss to Baylor.

1. Johnny Manziel QB Texas A&M

Texas A&M redshirt freshman dual-threat quarterback Johnny Manziel has ascended to the top of the Heisman list. Johnny Football has been gaining momentum since leading the Aggies to an upset of defending national champion Alabama.

For the year, Manziel has thrown for over 3,000 yards and 21 touchdowns while rushing for 1114 yards and 17 touchdowns. Manziel will have one more chance to make his case when the Aggies host Missouri Saturday night in College Station.

2. Marqise Lee WR USC

1. Collin Klein QB Kansas State

Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein is still in the lead for the Heisman after leading the Wildcats to a 23-10 road victory over TCU. Klein rushed for two more touchdowns bringing his season total to 19. Klein has thrown 12 touchdowns while completing 70 percent of his pass attempts.

At 10-0 and ranked first in the BCS standings, Optimus Klein has the Wildcats two wins from a berth in the national championship game. If the Wildcats win out, it will be difficult for voters to deny Klein the Heisman.

2. Marqise Lee WR USC

1. Collin Klein QB Kansas State

Kansas State Wildcats signal caller Collin Klein has the highest quarterback rating in the country. Optimus Klein is completing 71 percent of his passing attempts with 12 touchdowns while rushing for 17 more.

Klein’s 29 total touchdowns have led the Wildcats to a 9-0 mark and the number two spot in the BCS standings. Klein left last week’s game against Oklahoma State with an injury but is expected to play at TCU this week.

2. Kenjon Barner RB Oregon

College Level Athletes caught up with Serra (Gardena) Head Coach Scott Altenberg, who coached USC's Marqise Lee, Robert Woods and George Farmer, along with several other notable players who have now moved on to the NCAA and NFL ranks.

"It's just exciting to see those guys play so well.. and the thing is, represent our school so well. We have three kids in the NFL this year for the first time. It says that we're putting out good kids," Alternberg told CLA after Serra's 42-6 victory over St. Francis last Thursday night.

1. Geno Smith QB West Virginia

West Virginia senior quarterback Geno Smith has ascended to the top spot with his stellar performance against Maryland last week. Smith linked up with his favorite target Tavon Austin on three touchdown strikes and finished the contest with 338 passing yards.

Thanks to a stifling defensive performance by the Stanford Cardinal against USC, there is a new leader in CLA’s weekly Heisman pecking order. Early season favorite Matt Barkley struggled against the Cardinal, failing to throw a touchdown and throwing interceptions on consecutive passes in the Trojans 21-14 loss in Palo Alto.

1. DeAnthony Thomas RB Oregon

Now that the first week of the 2012 college football season is in the books, the debate for the Heisman can take form. Preseason hopefuls like Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson struggled against defending national champion Alabama’s suffocating defense in a 41-14 rout at Cowboys Stadium. Other favorites performed as expected . Players stock will potentially rise and fall from week to week but there are five players CLA believes will lead the way as the race unfolds.

1. Matt Barkley (USC, QB)

The talent pool of student-athletes spread throughout California’s high schools is no mystery. However, West Coast preps seem to lack the national exposure granted to other sports recruits in U.S. States throughout the South and Midwest, such as Texas, Ohio, Alabama, Louisiana and Florida.