The Heisman Trophy is the NCAA football award that typically generates the most chatter and attention.
The Heisman Trophy is awarded annually to the best player in college football but has recently turned into an award given to the best quarterbacks. Seven out of the last eight winners have been quarterbacks, including each of the last three.
This year is no different with some of the best quarterbacks up for the award. However, we also have a one-of-a-kind player in the running: Travis Hunter of Colorado, who plays on both sides of the ball. It will be fascinating to see how Heisman Trophy voters assess Hunter.
Here is Weider’s full list of his early favorites for the Heisman Trophy.
Quick Notes
- The SEC has won four of the last five Heisman Trophy awards.
- An Alabama player has won three of the last nine.
- The last non-quarterback to win was Alabama wide receiver Devonta Smith in 2020.
- The last running back to win Alabama’s Derrick Henry in 2015.
- The last Big Ten player to win was Troy Smith of Ohio State in 2006.
Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Jalen Milroe is having a great season for Alabama and has already helped his team win two big games. First, they went on the road and beat Wisconsin. Then, he and Alabama knocked off Georgia, long considered the best team in college football and the preseason No. 1 team. Milroe is in the driver’s seat for the award, especially if Alabama wins the SEC.
Cameron Ward, QB, Miami
Miami has continued a resurgence this year, is currently undefeated, and is the front-runner to win the ACC. Ward has largely been the reason for the early success as he has been one of the best quarterbacks in the nation, but he needs to avoid the turnover bug as last Friday night he struggled early against Virginia Tech. If Miami wins the ACC, he will have a real chance to win the Heisman.
ABSOLUTELY UNREAL SEQUENCE FROM CAM WARD ? pic.twitter.com/FyIy5cPnwJ
— ESPN (@espn) September 28, 2024
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
What Travis Hunter is doing is unprecedented. We have never seen anyone play this much on both sides of the ball before. He starts at cornerback and wide receiver for Colorado, and he constantly makes plays on both sides of the ball. Colorado is not a deep team and they need him to continue to make plays to win games. Colorado is probably not a playoff contender, but if they can get to nine or 10 wins, Hunter might have a shot at winning the award.
Dillon Gabriel, QB, Oregon
Dillon Gabriel is having a good year for Oregon, one of the best teams in the Big Ten. If Oregon can beat Ohio State in two weeks, he could move up the list and have a legitimate chance of winning the award.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
It would be unprecedented for someone from Boise State to win the Heisman, but Jeanty is having a fantastic season. Jeanty continues to play at a high level and is an outstanding running back. He runs the ball well and is a home run hitter every time he touches the ball. Getting an invite to New York for the ceremony would be a huge accomplishment.
Ashton Jeanty made Washington State’s defense look like a JV squad. I’ve never seen more forced missed tackles on a RB tape.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 29, 2024
Just watch these 5 clips. #RB1 pic.twitter.com/kVZGdYLBeR
Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Ewers would have been higher up the list, but he got hurt and has missed the last few weeks. Ewers and Texas do have a big win on their resume from when they stormed into Michigan and beat the Wolverines. If Ewers and Texas win the SEC, he could take home the Heisman Trophy.
Nico Iamaleava, QB, Tennessee
Nico Iamaleava and Tennessee are undefeated and look like a real playoff contender. Iamaleava has not lit up the field yet, but he will have plenty of chances the rest of the way. If they win the SEC and he continues to play well, he could get some Heisman buzz.
Carson Beck, QB, Georgia
Carson Beck has been up and down so far this season, but if Georgia rebounds after the loss against Alabama and wins out, Beck will be in the running for the award. He has a legitimate chance to play his way into the award competition.
Alabama has Georgia’s number ? pic.twitter.com/7cOHMbGgR7
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) September 29, 2024
Main Image Credit:
