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

1. Matt Barkley QB USC

USC quarterback Matt Barkley tossed six touchdowns to lead the Trojans over Syracuse 42-29 at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey. As expected, Barkley continues to utilize playmaking wideouts Marquis Lee and Robert Woods.

A tough road game at Stanford this week should present a challenge to the Trojans. Expect Barkley to rise to the challenge and have another Heisman worthy performance.

2. 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)

As class of 2012 high school recruits are opening fall practices for their respective colleges, a new class of prospects enter the recruiting ranks. This year's class of high school seniors now look to make their mark on the HS football recruiting landscape. Practices have begun for the 2012 HS football season and teams are eagerly awaiting week one matchups.

Watch this flashback from an exclusive post game interview featuring former Crenshaw High School football standout recruits De'anthony Thomas and Hayes Pullard. Thomas is coming off a freshman season that included 16 touchdowns and a historic performance in Oregon's Rose Bowl victory. Pullard has also performed well at the NCAA level, and led the Trojans in tackles as a sophomore, last season.

Look for both of these former College Level Athletes recruits to continue to shine and provide their teams with the necessary tools to become BCS Title contenders in 2013.

1. Matt Barkley (QB/USC, Senior)

USC senior quarterback Matt Barkley enters the 2012 season as the clear front runner for the Heisman Trophy. With an arsenal of playmakers at his disposal, including receivers Robert Woods and Marqise Lee, Barkley should put up big numbers on his way to leading the Trojans to the national title.

Heading into his fourth season under center, Barkley has the experience and leadership needed to lead USC back to greatness. Barring injury, expect Matt Barkley to take home the Heisman, win a national title and be the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

The lists for preseason Heisman candidates are in full circulation. The process of eliminating candidates has already begun, thus we have assembled the “CLA Sports Preseason Heisman Top 5 List.”

Watch this CLA Sports exclusive video interview featuring University of Oregon pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate De'Anthony Thomas & USC linebacker Hayes Pullard while they starred at Crenshaw High School (Los Angeles, CA). Check out the post game interview, as well as highlights from the game vs. undefeated Culver City High School.

Florida, the Sunshine State. Florida, the straight up speed state. Ask Tacoi Sumler (WR/2011), who ran a 4.33 forty at the National Underclass Combine last year. Sumler, at a modest 5'9" 165 pounds isn't your prototypical wide receiver, however, what he lacks in size he makes up for in pure speed and ability. Sumler led the Gulliver Prep football team last season in catches (54), yards (994), touchdowns (17) and interceptions (5). Sumler also returned 2 kickoffs for touchdowns last year (94, 79), virtually propelling his team in all aspects of the game.