” Tim Tebow became a rock star four months before his first career start.”

Dennis Dodd’s current list of Heisman Trophy contenders:

1. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
2. Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers
3. Brian Brohm, QB, Louisville
4. Steve Slaton, RB, West Virginia
5. Ian Johnson, RB, Boise State
6. John David Booty, QB, USC
7. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

Just as a reminder, here are Tebow’s passing stats from last year: 22 of 33, for 358 yards, 5 TDs, 1 INT.

And here are Colt Brennan’s: 406 of 559, for 5549 yards, 58 TDs, 12 INTs.

Here are Tim Tebow’s rushing stats from 2006: 89 carries, 469 yards (5.3 ypc), 8 TDs.

And here are Pat White’s rushing stats from 2006: 165 carries, 1,219 yards (7.4 ypc), 18 TDs.

Believe it or not, my point isn’t to disparage Tebow – who knows how good he’ll be this year? – but to question Dodd’s logic. How someone can rate the chances of a sophomore who’s never started a game before as better than all but six players in the country makes very little sense.

A more rational list can be found here. Heismanpundit even provides some basis for his projections.

You can pencil in Jimmy Clausen on Dodd’s list for 2008…