Alabama running back Mark Ingram is the new leader in the latest edition of the HeismanPundit.com Heisman Poll released on Tuesday (Oct. 20).

The sophomore from Flint, Mich., surged into the top spot following his 246-yard rushing performance against South Carolina.  The weekly survey of 13 Heisman voters from around the country gave Ingram 48 points and four first-place votes as he supplanted Florida’s Tim Tebow (45 points, six first-place votes), the poll leader for the first eight weeks of the season.  If Ingram’s lead holds, he’ll become the first Alabama player–and third-consecutive sophomore–to win the Heisman.

“Mark Ingram has emerged as the leader in my opinion because of he’s played so well, especially in the last three games,” said one voter.  “The Heisman goes to the most outstanding player and at this point I don’t see anyone who’s more outstanding. Great performances against good opponents impress me most, and he’s had big games against Virginia Tech, Mississippi and South Carolina.”