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)

After taking home the 2012 EYBL Peach Jam Tournament Championship, the Oakland Soldiers have their sights set on the Fab 48 in Las Vegas, NV this week.

College Level Athletes caught up with Oakland Soldiers forward Stanley Johnson (SF/2014) and he discussed his experience winning the Peach Jam Championship, along with his expectations at the Fab 48 and the upcoming 2012 CIF HS basketball season.

College Level Athletes arrived at Cal Lutheran early Saturday afternoon and witnessed an excellent display of coaching and technique, in addition to a few of the country's most coveted HS ballers. The 2012 B2G Sports Elite Football Camp at Cal Lutheran University featured some of the top high school football recruits in the nation.

The road trip to the state capitol proved worthwhile for Mater Dei High School as the boys and girls basketball teams took home the California State title. For California’s all-time winning head coach Gary Mcknight, it marked a record ninth state crown.

Four teams booked trips to the Elite Eight Thursday night as March Madness resumed with Sweet Sixteen action. Tonight’s games featured matchups from the East and West Regions.

The first game on the slate featured top seed Syracuse and the feisty four seed Wisconsin Badgers. The game was hotly contested throughout and came down to the wire. Syracuse held on to win 64-63 after Badgers guard Jordan Taylor’s long jumper fell short in the waning moments. The Orange advance to the East Regional Final on Saturday.

Friday, March 16th 2012

Friday’s tournament action was highlighted by the shocking upsets of number two seeds Duke and Missouri at the hands of Lehigh and Norfolk State respectively. The last 15 seed to earn a victory was Hampton over Iowa State in 2001.

With brackets locked and ready to bust, the 2012 NCAA men’s basketball tournament kicked off its first full day of action with 16 games on four networks. 64 teams entered Thursday with a shot at the ultimate prize.

Murray State (6) vs. Colorado State (11)