Three College Football stars separating themselves in the Heisman Trophy award race
Every year the Heisman Trophy is given to the top player in college football, at least in theory. When discussing the 2024 version of the award, there are several players who are beginning to separate themselves in that race. That battle is far from over, and names will continue to rise and fall as the […]
Every year the Heisman Trophy is given to the top player in college football, at least in theory. When discussing the 2024 version of the award, there are several players who are beginning to separate themselves in that race. That battle is far from over, and names will continue to rise and fall as the weeks move along.
Following week six of action, there appear to be three players who have begun to rise amongst the rest of the group. There may be a player who I would vote for currently, but once again, things will change. Here are those standouts that have taken the college football world by storm.
QB Cameron Ward (Miami)
Whether right or wrong, the Heisman Trophy is an award that typically goes to a quarterback playing on a high level. Since the year 2000, 20 of the 24 winners were quarterbacks. That position brings the most notoriety, and the most credit, maybe at any position in sport.
Ward is a player who is very deserving of the honor so far. After beginning his career at FCS Incarnate Word, and spending two seasons at Washington State, Ward has the Hurricanes' confidence at a high we haven’t seen in some time. Ward leads major college football with 2,219 passing yards and has accounted for 22 total touchdowns. He has been fantastic.
RB Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
There have been several elite players who have emerged in college football this season, and there might not be a better one than Jeanty. In five games, Jeanty has rushed for 1,031 yards and 16 touchdowns, averaging an unreal 10.9 yards per carry. That included a game against an Oregon defense where he rushed for 192 yards and three scores.
The craziest part about the season that Jeanty is having, is that he didn’t play past the first half in the Portland State or Utah State game. He’s still averaging 206.2 yards per game rushing despite missing a full game of time. Jeanty would be my selection currently to win the award, although it is very close.
ATH Travis Hunter (Colorado)
We have seen some players do some things on both sides of the football in the past, such as Champ Bailey (Georgia), Charles Woodson (Michigan), Chris Gamble (Ohio State), and Jabrill Peppers (Michigan). But we have never seen anything quite like Hunter before. He could legitimately be a first round 2025 NFL Draft selection at either wide receiver or cornerback.
Through five games, Hunter has hauled in 46 receptions for 561 yards and six touchdowns. He has also recorded 16 total tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and a tackle for loss. Hunter could legitimately do whatever he wants to on a football field. This is a rare, rare football player.
