At the halfway point of the men's college season, it's time to begin looking at the 2005 Player of the Year candidates. It's been a season of surprises, and the race is wide open. Many players have come out of nowhere to earn national attention. Akron, New Zealand and St. John's — ranked 1, 2, 3 — all have New Zealand stars: Ross McKenzie, Andrew Boyens and Steven Old. In the ACC, Aaron King (N.C. State) is tearing it up. None was on the preseason Hermann Watch list, but they are all deserving candidates along with more established stars such as the Indiana trio of Brian Plotkin, Josh Tudela and Jed Zayner, UCLA's U-20 stars, Patrick Ianni and Marvell Wynne, and the stylish Seton Hall playmaker Sacha Kljestan. Let us know who's your early pick from your corner of the college soccer world. Send your response with short comments to letters@socceramerica.com. Please include your first and last name and hometown.