ESPN College Football

Editor's note: Each week this season, ESPN.com will ask one of its Heisman Watch voters to explain his or her picks.

"The most outstanding college football player in the United States for 2009." That's the criteria the Heisman Trophy Trust requires Heisman voters to consider when deciding upon their top three candidates. We are not asked to vote for the quarterback of the best team in the country. And we are not to treat this as a lifetime achievement award.

Again, the Heisman Trophy is to be awarded to "the most outstanding football player in the United States for 2009." In my opinion, these five players best fit that criteria.

1. Mark Ingram, Alabama: Ingram has been consistently outstanding throughout the 2009 season. His numbers thus far match the profile -- 1,399 yards and 12 scores on 205 carries, and 225 yards and three scores on 25 catches. Plus, consider a couple of variables when it comes to Ingram's production. First, Ingram is carrying an offense that lacks quality quarterback play and has struggled at times along the offensive front. Second, he's getting it done against the highest level of defensive competition in the country.

Bottom line: For Ingram to take home the hardware, it will take a pair of big-time performances in Alabama's next two outings -- the Iron Bowl at Auburn and the SEC title game versus Florida.

2. Toby Gerhart, Stanford: It's hard to knock Gerhart for Stanford's loss to Cal on Saturday. He rushed for 136 yards and four touchdowns, while also coming up big with a fourth-quarter catch that he took 29 yards to the Cal 13-yard line with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

The bruising back currently ranks third in the Football Bowl Subdivision in rushing yards per game (139.2) and has hit pay dirt 23 times this season. Plus, how many individuals give a more determined effort on a weekly basis than Gerhart? Not many from what I have seen.

3. C.J. Spiller, Clemson: Spiller has that rare combination of acceleration, body control and ball skills, making him the most dynamic weapon in college football this season. He ranks third nationally in all-purpose yards per game (187.8) and is first among players from BCS schools. He has accounted for 16 touchdowns in 11 games this season, including seven rushing, four receiving, three on kick returns, one on a punt return and one as a passer. Plus, Spiller's production and presence have played a huge role in Clemson's overachievement as a team so far this season.

4. Jacquizz Rodgers, Oregon State: Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy deserve consideration in these final two spots, but under the given criteria, I simply could not put either ahead of Rodgers or Ndamukong Suh.

Much like Spiller, Rodgers is the most outstanding player on a surging Oregon State squad. It likely will take a monster showing in an upset victory over rival Oregon for Rodgers to get the invite to New York City. As of right now, 1,749 total yards of offense (1,313 yards on 239 carries and 436 yards on 67 receptions) and 20 touchdowns (19 rushing, one receiving) earn him a spot in the top five.

5. Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska: For a while, Tennessee's Eric Berry had my vote for the best defensive player in the country, and I still believe Berry is the best pro prospect at any position in the country right now -- but that's neither here nor there. Suh has been the most consistently dominant player on the defensive side of the ball from Week 1 until now.

His disruptive play has helped keep Nebraska alive in the Big 12 title race, despite an offense that could have been charged with treason on several occasions. Suh has racked up some unbelievable stats once again this season, beginning with 65 tackles, 15 for loss, including 6.5 sacks. He has broken up 10 passes, intercepted one, blocked three kicks and forced a fumble. Not bad for a defensive tackle who checks in at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds.