Life as a Heisman hopeful doesn't seem to be weighing too heavily on the narrow shoulders of Miami QB Ken Dorsey. That's partly due to the junior from northern California's laid-back demeanor and also because the Canes aren't launching into any elaborate Heisman campaigns on Dorsey's behalf. Truth is, as Dorsey explained last Thursday while munching on some Cheetos in the Miami SID office, the Hurricanes don't really have to do anything to get the Dorsey candidacy going. Except, of course, win. Opening with a W at Penn State will be the first step, and then there's a big rematch at Washington two weeks later. And then a trip to Florida State.

"If we have the type of year we're capable of," he says. "I won't be much too much of a darkhorse."

For now, he continues to work with his receivers and add on the pounds. He says he's up eight from the 187 he weighed last season. "I'd like to be over 200 when the season starts," he says. "The added weight will help when I throw on the run, getting more zip on the ball and making me more accurate."

Dorsey is excited about the challenge of working with a new group of wideouts, with Reggie Wayne and Santana Moss off to the NFL. Senior Daryl Jones, a burner in the Moss mold, has experience and Andre Johnson, a 6'3", 220-pound game-breaker with 4.35 speed, has potential, but for now, the go-to guy is TE Jeremy Shockey.

Dorsey, though, is quick to point that for all of Miami's rep as a quick-strike attack, the Canes will still be powered by its ground game. Last season, Miami tripped over itself early while the running back contingent of James Jackson, Najeh Davenport and Clinton Portis all took turns asserting themselves. But with Davenport now a fullback and Jackson in the NFL, Dorsey says this fall the Canes will have a more consistent running game. "The situation wasn't quite right last year," he says. "The guys just couldn't get in the flow. This year, it's gonna be like when Edgerrin [James] was here, where The Guy could get his confidence going."

That guy, though, might not be Portis. Many around the program expect redshirt freshman Willis McGahee, a 6'1", 222-pounder who evokes memories of James, to be the main man. Dorsey isn't tipping his hand to which way he thinks that race will end up. "I guess we'll just have to wait till two-a-days."

·Looking for a sleeper freshman this fall? Keep an eye on Utah DL Bernard Fano. The 6'3", 265-pounder from southern California may have gotten lost in the recruiting limelight because he only played half his senior season due to a hamstring tear. But in workouts leading up to last week's Cali-Florida Bowl, Fano showed a great motor and lightning first step and proved to be the top D-lineman on the California squad.

·They won't overtake Auburn or Alabama, but Division I-AA Alabama State is stockpiling some serious talent this fall. The Hornets of the SWAC have brought in QBs Jermaine Crenshaw from Ga. Tech and B.J. Tiger from Oklahoma State to spark L.C. Cole's West Coast offense, which will also feature Michigan State transfer Diondre Miller, a WR. One-time Arkansas signee Carlton Baker, a play-making linebacker, should make an impact defensively.

·Last month Billy Gaines turns heads by blazing a 4.25 forty at the Nike combine at Penn State. But the 5'7", 160-pound WR didn't get much love from recruiters. Coaches throughout the northeast told him that no matter how fast, he was still too small for them. Last week, Gaines, a Maryland native, camped at Pitt and was so impressive the Panthers coaches offered him a scholarship. Smart move. Gaines went on to spend a day at UVa's camp, where he was the best receiver there too. The kid is short, but he isn't just fast -- he's quick, runs tight routes and has great hands. Fellow Panther recruit Tyler Palko, the top QB in Pennslyvania and perhaps the most heavily recruited quarterback from Pittsburgh, will be thrilled to have Gaines on board.

·FSU freshman OLB Willie Jones suffered a torn meniscus during last week's Cali-Florida Bowl. Still, the explosive Miami product managed to turn heads by recording two sacks in limited action. The injury, which will require surgery, should put Jones on the shelf for two weeks, but he should be close to 100 percent by the time he reports to FSU's camp in late July.

·Carlos Ousley, a swift 5'10", 170-pound WR who was being counted on to provide a big-play threat at Wake Forest, is transferring to Arkansas. Seems new Deacs coach Jim Grobe didn't like Ousley's dreads and told him to cut them. The sophomore refused and will take his locks with him to Hog country, where he will be eligible in 2002.

Bruce Feldman covers college football for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail him at bruce.feldman@espnmag.com.